A New Car
This high-speed venue has in the past, been a stage of the Lombard RAC rally, or Network Q as its now known. With a new to the team, but previously owned GpA Escort Cosworth, resplendent in bright yellow and backed again by Bluecol Brands, Get Zet Go and Springwood Aviation Services, the team were mainly out to evaluate the performance of the car, and ascertain the areas where improvements are required to make it a rally winner. Driver Mark Welch explains: "Whilst the car has the right credentials, we'll only know how good it is, and how rusty I am, after an event against serious opposition".

Serious Opposition & A New Face In The Co-Drivers Seat
The opposition was indeed serious! A full field of 100 cars including 3 MG Metro 6R4's, 2 high speed Darrian kit cars, an ex works Vauxhall Astra Kit car, numerous Escort and Sapphire Cosworths and one WRC engined Escort Cosworth provided some very serious competition. Seeded at car 4, the team quickly realised that unless it rained, they had a major fight on not only with 4-wheel drive machinery, but also with the quick tarmac 2wd specials. Mark was co driven by Bruce Taylor who normally spanners for Mark II, but has co driven for the likes of former British champion, Ian Roberton.

8 fast stages on smooth tarmac were the order of the day. SS1 was surprisingly quick given all the factors (unfamiliar car etc) with Mark and Bruce recording 4th fastest time. "The car feels good, and the time bears that out." said Mark. He also added "but the brakes are crap!" The order was Lloyd (6R4), Furzeland (6R4), Tregoning (Darrian), Welch, Lambert (Darrian) and Palmer (Astra kit car). This left Andy Orchard (WRC Escort) and Nigel Pratt (6R4) trailing in Mark II's wake. The car ran faultlessly and despite some lurid moments due to cold tyres and badly adjusted anti roll bars, the team continued to set competitive times.

Luck
As the day progressed, the second Darrian driven by Lambert and the Astra kit car squeezed ahead of Welch and Taylor, who were more interested in trying different settings and generally getting back into the swing of competition. On SS6 however, disaster struck Lambert. A stage layout change caught the crew out, and the subsequent wrong route taken on the stage saw them slip out of contention.

Final Positions & Refelctions
With 2 stages to go, the gap between the Mark II Motorsport/Bluecol Brands/Get Zet Go/ Springwood Cosworth in 5th and the flying Astra kit car in 4th was down to a mere 16 seconds. But the gap was too great to close so this is how they finished: -

1st Lloyd - 6R4
2nd Furzeland - 6R4
3rd Tregoning - Darrian
4th Palmer - Astra
5th Welch - Cosworth
6th Orchard - Cosworth WRC
7th Pratt - 6R4.

So all in all a satisfying result for the team, a trophy for 1st in class as well. With a smallish (but expensive) list of improvements to be carried out to the car prior to the SM Stages Rally at Oakington on 12th August, things are looking good! "I suppose we really came hoping for a top ten finish," said Welch. "Considering I had driven the car 5 miles prior to the event, I think we've done pretty well - shame it didn't rain!". " Mind you, those brakes have gotta go…"

Many Thanks
Mark II Motorsport would like to thank their sponsors: - Bluecol Brands, GetZetGo/ Get Rallying and Springwood Aviation Services. Special thanks to DOME and RallyGallery.com