Last modified: 14/07/2002

No 108 Crew Management Crew Service Crew

Peugeot 309 GTi 16v George Cooke Aron Brown Andrew Mitchell / Lawrence Fowler Cal McElhinney / Paul Coley

After the success on the Dukeries, whole team were out for Quinton Forest Stages, the next round of the Peugeot Sport BTRDA Gold Star Championship.

Crew travelled down to Buith Wells showground for scrutineering in remarkably good weather. Excitement of major event was further heightened by the fact that Andy's management car had to be scrutineered ! Many colleagues from Streetly Motor Club were in attendance and Bertie was also there. After successfully scrutineering, a few "pops" and a delightful curry, we retired early to bed. Saturday dawned early as Cals' snoring woke the entire Bed & Breakfast.

Stage 1 - We set off from Llandridnod Wells in fine weather and fine spirits. The first stage was a long stage, with good sweeping corners, making it very fast in places, although slowed down by large frightening drops and spinning on two occasions and getting caught in our own dust, which was so thick we could not see which way we were pointing.

On the road section to first service, we passed Bertie apparently stranded on the side of the road. When we stopped to offer assistance it was found that the navigator Ian was suffering from "digestion problems".

Service 1 - In the grounds of a castle, Paul and Cal were efficiently set up and already sunburnt ! A minimal routine check on the car was all that was required and a change of tyres.

Stage 2 - Another fast and classic Welsh forest stage with still lots of dust and large drops. All was going well and driver feeling confident when nine miles into the stage, on a fast down-hill section into a small valley with an "easy" left, the car left the track backwards at high speed, barrel rolled and came to rest, fortunately wedged on a tree stump. Luckily this unfortunate tree stump halted the cars progression down one of those large drops.

Crew were ok if somewhat shaken but the car was totally irremovable. With no way of contacting the Service or Management Crews (roof aerial had broken), resigned to spectate the remaining field of competitors.

Thanks to Paul (mine's a larger) and Cal for sunbathing (servicing), Andy and Lawrence (Doh) for management duties and the recovery crew (unsung heroes) for extricating the car.

Grateful thanks to the Rally Rescue Team
for recovering without further damage