2020 season.

What does the 2020 season hold? Well...

In all probability I'm going to do the same amount of events as 2019 but without using the M5! My first event should be in February with my final foray in December. 

I'll be forming a new team in 2020 and we'll probably be quite slow - my days of chasing trophies have passed so I don't mind (the loft is full and my wife wants no more to appear!!). It's going to be a long term partnership so we'll get used to each other and select events that are close to home to start with. We're aiming for fun, experience and then results - although fewer retirements than 2019 is certainly hoped for...

Will I road rally this year? If I do start a road rally I will be properly rested and will have to cross a border to do it. I enjoyed winning the championships I did but that was then and this is now...

Luckily I'll be carrying over some of my sponsors for this season too; where would I be without my Granite Anchor hoodies or my Belgian buns and beer?

Should the right targa car come up for sale then yes it will be coming home with me but am I looking seriously? No, not really. I know what I want and if it magically appears then great, if not I'm not fussed - for the next few years at least.

I'll be out marshalling on events too this year so I might just see you on a stage, section or control!

 

2 targas and 1 road rally

I finished 2019 off with another two targas and one road rally. Unfortunately not one of them was a good result!

The Exmoor Targa was the complete antithesis to the Washingpool - it rained, then rained heavier and then it became a deluge! Awful conditions saw the tracks muddy and water logged which made our first multi-venue targa even harder. 

We settled into a sensible pace and were gaining experience until a fast right threw the Saxo off and into the trees! Luckily all bar a small holly tree were avoided so damage was minimal, ironically the holly tree kept us from vanishing down a steep drop so actually saved us from extra damage. 

We spent 55 minutes trying to extricate ourselves (which we eventually did thanks to a Land Rover and our tow rope) but were able to complete every remaining test within OTL so at least we were still classified as finishers at the end of the event.

Next up was the Bustard targa which was (for the short period we were competing) a great event. The tests were fast and challenging but, above all else, great fun. We caught at least 2 cars on each test (except the tiny autosolo style test) and were gaining confidence as we got used to the muddy conditions. All that came to a sudden end when the Saxo's rear started bouncing like some demented trampoline! 2 exploded rear dampers ended the event early for us.

After a frantic search for parts the Saxo was re-fettled in time to take the start of the Barbara carter road rally. Almost immediately I was struggling to keep on time with the regularity sections, 19 years of retirement, a lack of vari-focal glasses and being far too tired took their toll and we had a large cut-and-run to petrol. The second half of the event had a plot-and-bash section and more tightly plotted route - I chucked in the towel and (for the first time ever) gave up! I've never felt it worthwhile risking damage to a car for no reason and that's what we would have been doing.

Three very disappointing results; to quote Metallica "sad but true".

Well the drivers are ready...

The drivers are ready, the cars are being finished we just need the Wales and West calendar published so we can enter the events!!!

Better than expected!

I was able to borrow an NSR Ford MK IV for the classic races last Friday (Thanks Nick!!) so was able to make my slot car racing debut. Throughout the event I had great fun (not as adrenaline filled as real rallying but far easier to prepare for, to get to and much, much cheaper) and I wasn't quite as awful as I expected... Yes I came last and yes I was slowest but I managed to knock 2½ seconds off my lap times during the evening and won the sprint from the lights in 3 out of my 4 races!

Having watched as others drove it was clear I was accelerating out of the bends in the correct places but was braking like a granny, shedding way too much speed way too early! I still have a huge amount to learn but was happy to keep dropping my times and reduce mistakes as I went along.