Last modified: 14/07/2002

Car 94 Crew Servive Crew

Peugeot 309 GTi 16v George Cooke Nikki Breslin Lawrence Fowler / Aron Brown

Round 4 of the Heart of England Championship

Having missed the third round of the AAT sponsored Heart of England Championship as it was changed from Bramcote to Epynt, I decided I needed some points from the next round at Abingdon. Abingdon is a great venue, with long stages and real good quality tarmac and the experience is further heightened by a weekend of motorsport raising money for charity. However, on previous visits to this venue, Tomsport has failed to reach the finish line; with transmission problems and a high-speed incident with a kerb, so I was keen to finish for credibility and much needed championship points.

Scrutineering was on Saturday afternoon with the promise of a BBQ and camp over at the venue. Nikki, Lawrence and I travelled down on the Saturday afternoon, Aron would join us in the morning. We also met up with the two Dans who had been delayed by a trailer puncture on the M40.

Due to financial constraints (with driver still ‘between jobs’) and the venue being predominantly dry good quality tarmac, I thought I would try to ‘use up’ some part worn slightly cut Colway F2s that we obtained as part of a sponsorship deal when we went to the Isle of Man. (these F2's will just not wear out).

As we packed the tents away on Sunday morning, the first drops of rain started to fall. We just managed a quick breakfast of luke warm beans on bread (oh what luxury), before setting off to the service area.

First stage was a long one, nearly nine miles, on good quality tarmac. The crews' confidence was boosted by easily catching and passing the Suzuki in front of us, although only a 1300, it had started 30seconds ahead.

By stage three the heavens had opened but we still managed to catch a pass a metro in the rain. The metro would not move off the dry line on the main runway straight, so we had to rearrange a few cones to get past!

On the final stage. we eventually managed to catch and pass a Sierra Cosworth we had been chasing throughout the afternoon.

Final result was a not fantastic; 41st overall and 11th in class but we achieved our objective of steering the car to the end to gain more championship points

Commiserations to the two Dan’s in their 205 for leaving the road on the penultimate stage and imbedding it into an immovable metal pallet.

Thanks to the team: Nikki, Aron and chocolateless Lawrence, for keeping it going in treacherous weather and Dan for letting us share their monster gazebo in service.

Due to financial constraints I will not be doing the Dukeries (round 5) or Quinton (round 6), but hopefully we can get back on track for the Woodpecker (round 7) at the end of August...

Additional rally report appears at Streetly Motor Club's website.