Adrian Barker Memorial Stages -Hewitt Ladders Ltd

Adrian Barker Memorial Stages
Swynnerton Army Training Camp - 31st October 2010

Car 68 - Peugeot 205 XS
Driver: Paul Daniels, Co-Driver: Steve Whitehorn

The Adrian Barker Rally took place on a very cold, dull and mildly wet Sunday. We were upbeat about the 1st rally in the new Pug, having attended Swynnerton once before. We got all the kit out, jacked up the car and began preparations.
The stages were of a similar format to the previous Swynnerton event, two runs on each of five courses, making up a total of ten stages. The timing was set just right that it would be dark for the final two stages.
Stage 1 and 2, and unlike our previous outing, we attacked the stages with full commitment, resulting in a minor excursion onto the grass. The car performed superbly, a testament to those who poured blood, sweat and tears into getting it ready. However... The gears seemed a little "clunky", which we put down to clutch adjustment. After stage 2, the service crew got straight to work in readjusting the clutch for an easier gear change. Perfect.
Stage 3, "Hang on, this clutch is a bit high". Bit late now Paul, we're already on the run out to stage start! Off came the rubber pedal cover and he was happy, as was the gearbox, but the change down to 2nd just kept crunching all day. The run round the stage went well, but we overcooked it going into a right-hander that led to a merge and bumped the hay bales. Not a major crash, but enough to get the marshalls running over since we had now blocked the other part of the stage! Fortunately we learnt for stage 4 and got through with no problems at all, but the service crew had to get handy with the duck tape to cover the broken indicator.
Stage 5 and 6 saw an interesting run around a box of hay bales, creating a very narrow route. So narrow in fact, that when we got a bit too tight, we bumped the bales again on the nearside of the car. Again, no major problems (but that change down to 2nd seems a little louder...) and we finished fine. Into service and the guys ask if there are any problems. None at all thanks chaps, you're doing a great job. "Are you sure?". A look at the nearside shows that the incredibly vicious hay bale has dented the door panel in. During service, a friendly marshall points out that our tyres are letting us down, and we could improve massively if we fit better ones, like those on sale at the end of the service area (he was clearly on commission!). So after stage 6, a set of brand new Hankooks replaced the Colways.
We were apprehensive for stage 7. We had been told to go easy on the first corner or so to let the tyres bed in. We set off into the stage, rounded the first bend and nailed it for the next junction. We soon discovered that the marshall was right. The tyres had more grip than we ever imagined, Paul literally threw the car round the bends and through the chicanes and it simply didn't want to break traction. We finished with very VERY big grins! Stage 8 saw more of the same, and so on to the night stages.
Stages 9 and 10. The new lamp pod was fitted and tested and we were ready for our first ever night stage. More apprehension, no natural light, new tyres. What the hell, let’s go for it. We didn't let up with the commitment, Paul continued to push the car. That change down to 2nd gear was louder still, but we got through both night stages without a hitch. The new pod was fantastic, the car had proved its worth and we were well chuffed.
We finished 46th overall out of 53 finishers, and 4th in class beating a fully modded MG ZR. Roll on Rockingham.

Ah yes, before I finish, I should mention the gearbox. Post-rally, we took it to get looked at, only to find that on the way 5th gear had liberated itself through the gearbox casing. Nice!

Paul and steve would like to thank the service Crew .. Pete Whitehorn Dhiren solanki , Kyle Able , Andy Elliot for building a reliable car , Baz wheeler (Metric services) for the service equipment .

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