Sorry it has taken me so long to get this report done, but I do not want to get into the habit of just sending out the points without a nice little write up - so here we go.....
 
As usual Abingdon had a full entry leading up to the event (not many can say that these days) and with only a few dropping out in the preceeding days, started with an almost full field.  I had been asked by Barry Guess to be Club Steward for the rally and I accepted.  It was not a difficult job, I just had to drive the stages before they went live with the MSA Steward and a couple of other officials.  What I did notice was how much work is done while you/we the competitors are in service having a nice cup of tea or a burger.  I have marshalled on many events but when you are marshalling you only really see your sector and still do not appreciate what else is going on.  From now on I will always make an effort to thank the marshall and try to give generously to any marshall prize funds.  It was like seeing lots of little ants running around with cones and barriers - quite a sight.
 
We arrived on Friday night in a hired Motorhome along with Monty the rally dog ready for a weekend of socialising and rally watching and we were not disappointed!  I was suprised how many people arrive a day early, it was mobbed.  I have already pencilled in to do the same next year.  We parked up and soon joined camp with the Welsh chaps next to us and had a very enjoyable few bevvies and some food.  I think I may have over done the Vodka but it should perhaps not be served in a pint glass in future!  It was quite a late night and I have a tip for anyone deciding to do the same next year - work out how the beds go in the Motorhome before you have a drink!
 
Well, back to the rally results:
 
Congratulations to Steve & Yvonne on talking first place in the ACSMC results.  Simon Mauger gave Steve a bit of a wake up call on stage one by beating him by 5 seconds but Steve then took 12 back on stage 2.  It was a day long battle for top spot ending in Simon taking the overall win by 17 seconds.  Not alot on a rally that is almost an hour and a half long!
 
Rob Dennis and Lee Harding although not registered in the tarmac Championship deserve a mention as they finished 3rd overall and are registered in our Loose Surface Championship, so well done guys.  I would write more about you - but you are not registered so TOUGH.....  Only joking.
 
Our second crew home was Adrian Brown and Chris Jarman in the lovely white Mk1 Escort.  Adrian was having to deal with a few gremlins throughout the day so was not performing as well as he would have liked. 
 
Next up was the usual Class B/1600cc battle between Dean (banana man) & Lorraine (I'm still standing) vs The Tapheads.  The Taps dropped about a minute and a half on stage 4 so were really out of the running but managed to battle on and finish just 30 seconds behind class winners Dean and Lorraine. 
 
It was nice to see Duncan Waite and Mark Withers back on form and finishing 8th overall.  Mark did have a very big smile on his face when I saw him over by the burger wagon :-)
 
Next home was Abi Mahmood and Andrew Smith in the rapid Class A Micra.  Hey, not bad finishing 16 overall from a starting number of 64......  I know Barry only does it to wind you all up, but to be honest it is nice for the speccies to see some quick cars mixed in with the field.
 
The Whittington brothers, well what can I say?  They turned up on Friday night in teh new RED BUS and entertained us all from that moment on.  Once again, Vanessa's catering was excellent, having a home made curry really was the icing on the cake!  I am not sure how many people were in the Gung-Ho camp but I am guessing there were about 20 of us.  It was a brilliant weekend with you guys and your families and friends and we are looking forward to the next outing.  It was a shame that you had so many problems with the car and especially the harsh time penalty for being a little late to stage dropping you back by about and minute and a half.  You would have had a great result without all the car issues.  Better luck next time.
 
Andy Lockhart and Bob Muttram finally made an appearance and had a steady day to finish 32nd overall.
 
Last but not least was Norman and Leanne in the Pug - I think that is all I am allowed to say!  A good bag of points again, that is the main thing, well done.
 
Now for the retirees:
 
Mark Chapman & Kev Harbour - they only managed one stage and that was a struggle as the head gasket on the MGZR had expired.  When is your luck going to change?  At least they still had big smiles when I saw them at Down Ampney in a borrow BMW.  How was the RWD experience?  Are you converts?  I still think you would really suit a nice blue Mk2 Escort.....
 
John & Sharon Mills - I was very impressed by the very neat parking in the narrowest part of the stage!  Considering the steering had gone it could have been quite nasty.  I hope the car is all fettled and fixed ready for the next event.
 
Mick Wardell & Stuart Harrison - We have not seen much of Mick & Stuart this year and they are not having a lot of luck.  Hope to see you at the finish of a rally sometime this year guys.
 
Scott & Darren Stutchbury - I am starting to think that perhaps Magenta is an unlucky colour for a rally car!  Maybe you should get some paint out for next season and see if you can improve you luck.
 
Phil & Tracey Sprason - The results say they retired due to a puncture!  A little birdy told me that perhaps it was an over zealous driver trying to carry on at speed with a puncture and loosing the tyre off the rim.......  Phil and Tracey were also unlucky at Down Ampney having both throttle cables break at the same time!  
 
Nigel Mummery & Fiona Scarrett - another unlucky pairing.  It was problems with the turbo this time, but I know it is being sorted as I write this so that they will be ready to do battle at the next event.
 
Geoff Bennett - I did not get a chance to speak to Geoff so I do not know what the problem was.  I hope it was a small problem compared to the engine exiring at Bovington.
 
Our Championship sponsor Alastair Flack (Hamilton Classics) was also out on this event in his TR7 and was having an excellent day and lying well inside the top ten when he had problems with the axle.  Alastair decided to go for damage limitation rather that a shiny pot.

Theresa