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2007 White Dial Stages at Wilbarston Sandy said.... Having been actively involved in rallying for 16 years, and a fan for over 20 years, one of the few things that I hadn't done was compete on a rally. I have been involved with my other car club, Coltness Car Club in Lanarkshire, spectating, marshalling and running the McRae Rally, since 1991. I had done timing, safety, equipment, driven VIP guests on the McRae, spectator car. Two years ago I joined Streetly and have been active with a great bunch of guys, spectating, marshalling and running the Rally Of The Midlands. But had only ever been in one rally car at Knockhill race circuit many years ago. Had sat in plenty, but never anything more than that. The closest was doing spectator safety with Jimmy McRae in his wife's Jeep Cherokee on the 95 McRae. Never been through a forest as quick in my life in a road car. It is all so natural to him. Fabulous experience. Last year Streetly marshalled on the new RAC rally. I travelled for the three days with George Cooke. We had a great time and had many long conversations about a wide range of subjects. One of which was my lack of competitive mileage, which George decided had to be changed. During a club night out in Lichfield earlier in the year, George suggested I co drive for him some time later in the year. He wouldn't be doing many events this year as he and Michelle were moving house, but he would like to do a small, easy local single venue to give the Saxo a run. As he was slightly light headed on beer, I didn't really take too much notice of his suggestion. Two months later and George calls me at home. I have decided to do 2007 Whitedials Stages at Wilbarston and you are navigating! To which I replied that I didn't have a licence, crash hat, race suit and suffered from travel sickness. George answered with, apply for a licence, borrow a suit and crash hat and you wont get time to be sick. He said, think on it and we would discuss at the next club night. I though about it a lot in the coming week, and decided that this was a fabulous opportunity that hadn't been offered before. I had to try it at least once. So, to cut a long story short, I got a licence, borrowed Arons spare suit and helmet and set of for Wilbarston. First time I had sat in the car was to take it to scruitineering. We went to the drivers briefing, got changed and took to the start in torrential rain. We got round the first stage with no trouble. Second no problem. On arriving at the third service, I got out and told Aron that he and I would be doing the 2008 McRae rally! (Long held ambition) Its strange, but I can get travel sickness within five minutes on a twisty road if I do not watch and concentrate on where we are going. Two minutes if I have to read a map. In 80 stage miles that day, I didn't even go off colour once. How does that work then? The rally consisted of 80 miles over 10 stages. We got quicker as the day went on as we got used to each other, the car, the venue and weather. It was very very wet. We had one or two slides, but no spins. In fact, we only over shot one junction all day. Some of the stages were very rough. I know rallying is all about man and machine against the clock and terrain, but I was surprised at the condition of some parts of the road for a tarmac rally. I believe some of them could have done considerable damage and even caused an accident. My first rally was fabulous, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. Thanks to Aron, Stu, Cal, James for servicing. Richard Hinton for the severe soaking he got on arrival control and to George for the opportunity. ........ Sandy
From a start number of 42 we finished 23rd overall and 7th in class - not a fantastic result but it was a finish, on Sandys first rally, in terrible monsoon weather conditions when lots of the field crashed or broke down in poor weather. Sandy was heard to say afterwards 'why did I not take this up years ago......' Thanks to Stu for towing us there and use of his van to hide from the rain and Aron, Cal, James for keeping the car going despite the terrible weather and Lawrence for the photos and video ! The Saxo is now back at Tomsport headquarters and next stop is....... ? Well just watch this space!
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