The Scottish Malts 2014

Having saved up for weeks, we were very excited about competing on our first all-tulip event. We arrived on the Saturday evening and stayed in a B & B in Kinross ready for scruitineering and signing on Sunday morning. The first shock to us was the pile of route books, map books and test diagrams that we were supplied with as well as a fantastic rally jacket each and cap. So it was time to get colouring and go through all the instructions to make sure we understood everything.

Monday April 28th - Day 1. Gleneagles to Loch Lomond

The route from Gleneagles started with a practice regularity, which gave us the chance to get into the Tulip directions and timing, it went very well we only dropped one second on the second timing point, a fantastic start although with a result like that we were gutted that it didn’t count. The next regularity started well, cleared the first timing point but then we met a car on a lane, I reversed and pulled in, she would not pass, I reversed further and pulled in, she still would not pass, 200 meters later and two minutes dropped we managed to pass. Then came the almighty race to catch up time before seeing a marshal, luckily the speed was set at 18mph for that section so we ended up just seven seconds late at the timing point and five early for the last, not quite as good as the practice. We then headed north to Crieff, the home of the “Famous Grouse” distillery, which was a passage control, before turning west to travel to the Trossachs National Park, another regularity saw us drop just four seconds on the middle of the three timing points, then it was onto the first test. It was quite a tight test with a 180 around a cone that we wouldn’t have made round without reversing but we were just 17 seconds slower than the fastest in our class, considering two of those are Porsches and a very fast mgb, this wasn’t bad at all.

Two more regularities got us closer on to Loch Lomond for the end of day one, we picked up three seconds on the first and nine on the last. Finishing off with a complex test on the shores of Loch Lomond, which we really enjoyed and came in just 12 seconds slower than the MGB of Mark and Sue Godfrey and second fastest in our class. Results came in with us 12^th overall and 2^nd in class an amazing start to the rally.

Tuesday April 29th – Day 2. Loch Lomond to Isle of Skye

A repeat of yesterdays last test started the morning, which we completed two seconds faster and then we headed north, although the first regularity was cancelled due to herd of 40 cows wandering down the road. It was onto Rest and Be Thankful the famous hill climb and a challenging test. It proved a bit too challenging for me as I stalled off the start line, but got it back together quickly to finish the rest of the test just 13 seconds over the fastest in our class, being a hill climb the Porsches definitely had the upper hand.

From the “Rest”, through Inveraray and passing just north of Oban, scenic roads interspersed with regularities and driving tests took us to Fort William. The regularities all went very well as we dropped 6 seconds, 5 seconds and 2 seconds over three regs. Unfortunately we were getting thrashed on the tests, we had two airport tests that afternoon the first we were 19 seconds slower and the second 16, this caused us to loose our medal status and drop down the leaderboard. From here the route continued NNE before turning WNW in the direction of Glenelg and a wonderful ferry crossing onto the Isle of Skye via the last operational turntable ferry in the world. That night we were 19^th overall and 3^rd in class.

Wednesday April 30th – Day 3. Isle of Skye to Strathpeffer

Wednesday morning began with a test at Skye airport which contained some long straights so the other cars in our class had the upper hand, I was very pleased with our 12 seconds penalty. Leaving the Isle of Skye behind we continued North via some spectacular scenery and driving roads over the Kyle of Lochalsh before dropping down into Plockton on Loch Carron for the second test of the day, we were only 9 seconds slower on this one and the marshals informed us that we did it in the exact time of one of the Porsches, result!

The route then made its way up the west coast, with a regularity along my favourtie road, the Pass of Cattle to Ullapool, we drove this road in the dark on LeJog and it was definitely scarier this time round because you could see the drop inches from the road. Knowing the road really helped us on this reg as we knew that at the top there were loads hairpins, we took a gamble and ran early at the beginning praying that there would be no marshals. It really paid off and despite a campervan trying to scupper our plans we dropped just one second at the first timing point and two seconds on the other two. No time to celebrate though as it was straight onto the next regularity, this one went right along the coast and would have been great if not for a Land Rover with a trailer that we met just before a control, he cost us seven seconds and we picked up another one at the last timing point.

A code board section started the afternoon, we had five codes to collect along the route which of course Elise navigated perfectly which led us to a lovely coffee halt. All that remained was a long regularity with four timing points, we picked up 11 seconds over all four.

It was on to Strathpeffer and the much needed overnight halt. Results came in, and we’d climbed up to 18^th Overall and still 3^rd in class.

Thursday May 1st – Day 4. Strathpeffer to Strathpeffer (the Speyside Day)

Exploring Speyside was on the agenda today; famous for whisky such as Macallan, Aberlour, Balvenie, Glenfiddich, Glenlivit & many many more! First though a regularity, which turned out to be our best to date, picked up one second at each of the first two controls, then cleared the third and last controls. This was followed by two tests, one at Leys Castle, a downhill test with stop astrides, we were only 12 seconds over bogey and within gold standard. It was a great feeling because it shows that we are improving all the time. Two more regularities followed this, and we picked five seconds on both. The next test was at the Macallan distillery, a great test venue, following a track with a slight incline and a few stop astrides, I took a 90 degree bend slightly cautiously as the surface was loose so we were 14 seconds over the fastest in our class.

Then it went downhill, with a short regularity on private land, the track was sand very windy and undulating, I pushed as hard as I dared but we were dropping seconds by the meter, 18 seconds late we got the the only control. I need to practice on loose surfaces so that I can keep up on these sections.

All the regularities had been jogularties up to this point, where you get given set distances and exact times, the marshals will always be at one of these points although you never know where, but HERO set a practice regularity ready for a difficult one on the last day. We were given speed tables and had to run off the trip, Marshals could be at any kilometer marker. It was great fun and after the practice Elise and I have had on the HRCR events we found it quite easy so were really looking forward to completing the regularity on the Friday.

To finish the day we had another Jogularity where we picked up just three seconds over four timing points a great end to the penultimate day. Results showed we had clawed back 17^th overall and 3^rd in class with just 27 penalties between us and 18^th overall, 4^th in class and the 18 behind them is 19^th overall and 5^th in class. This was to be the battle of our class!

Friday 2nd May – Day 5. Strathpeffer to Gleneagles

The final day took us past Inverness through the Glenmore Forest Park to Braemer and Glenshee before heading south to Gleaneagles. Of course it wouldn’t be a rally without some drama, first regularity of the day 8.30 am on the lanes of Scotland, we arrive behind the school bus, that stops picks up kids and then drives onto the next house with no passing places! We were well and truly stuck! Eventually we got past and although we were over a minute down we drove as fast as we could but luck was not with us, the timing point was just a few corners away so we dropped 31 seconds which would drop us below 18^th overall and 4^th in class, disappointed we headed to the next timing point, hit it bang on the second but it was little consolation.

A repeat of yesterdays Leys Castle saw us one second faster than our previous attempt, then a fantastic regularity which we picked up three seconds. To finish the day and the event we had the regularity off speed tables and Marshals would be at any half-kilometer or kilometer out of the 12 km length.  I was very impressed with Elise’s navigation as we hit the first timing point bang on, and then only dropped four seconds at the two remaining controls, which brought us to Kinloch Rannoch.

From there it was a straight forward drive back to Gleneagles, whilst we debated over how many penalties we had picked up and although we were sure we had dropped one place, had we done enough to stay in the top twenty?

 A gala black tie awards dinner finished off the whole event in spectacular fashion and due to overall winners not being eligible for class awards we won 2^nd in our class and 17^th overall. Turns out the last regularity had caught a few competitors out.

As always a huge thank you to everyone who made the event possible, marshals, officials, mechanics, and competitors (for the entertaining competition)

Photographs are credited to Tony Large and the video clip is by TV AC, Thank you all! x x

Seren x x

Ilkley Jubilee Rally - Round Three HRCR

Having been working on a ship for a week, Elise and I were very excited to be dry-side and heading up North for the Ilkley Jubilee. However, from Plymouth this meant a seven-hour drive, meeting the TR4 at the M5 Services and a lot of I-spy!

Despite towing the trailer we made good time and even got a chance to check into our hotel in Harrogate before making our way over to Scruitineering and signing on. With our early arrival we decided to complete the measured distance first to calibrate our trip, this quickly turned into a bad decision as we got stuck in terrible traffic halfway around, eventually making it back to the start with us, and the car, a little bit grumpy! We only did the distance once but the trip seemed to be spot on so we headed over to the garage where they held Scruitineering and by this time a good crowd of classic cars and their competitors had gathered, so we joined the queue and caught up with crews known to us and met some new faces too.

Once the car had successfully passed it’s checks, signing on was very quick and we returned to our hotel to begin colour coding and plotting the route. It didn’t take too long to complete, as the road book was in the form of Tulip Diagrams and four of the six regularities were ‘Plot and Bash’ regs. After our performance on the North Yorkshire we were rather nervous to face this type of navigation again. An early night was on the cards and we were tucked up in bed by 11pm.

A mixture of nerves and excitement proved very detrimental to my early night, after four hours of staring at the ceiling, I finally drifted off to sleep 03.30am. We both woke up early so that we could double check the trip before our noise test and the start of the rally. Needless to say I was exhausted and just hoped that Elise had got a good nights sleep so one of us would be on good form.

 

We ended up re-calibrating the trip as it was a little off, which may have been down to the traffic we encountered the day before, this made us a couple of minutes late for our noise test and didn’t bode well for the rest of the day. It is amazing what a sausage sandwich and a cuppa can do, within twenty minutes we were ready to go, although the nerves were still present.

9.56 was our start time and it was straight into a regularity, this was definitely a shock to the system. The only advantage being that it was a Jogularity, with tulip diagrams and the correct distances, which is technically easier than other forms of navigation.  What really caught us out at the first timing point were two passage controls before it around triangles and, although we ran early to account for this, we still came in 45 seconds late. We pulled this back a little on the next two timing points with a 16 seconds late and 7 seconds early.

Then it was time for three tests in Hildebrand Barracks, all on tarmac. I was a little worried with one of the instructions ‘free turn’ as I thought the area would be tight and that other competitors would pull out a Jay turn. However there was a lot of space and we completed the whole test in 22 seconds over bogey, faster than half the field competing!

The second test was pretty straight forward with another ‘free turn’ and a slalom up and back through five cones, again we came in 22 seconds over bogey. I didn’t manage the third as quick but with no reversing and some great 360’s around cones we did manage it in 37 seconds over. My luck was not destined to last.

It was the onto the next regularity, the first of the Plot and Bash regs, the Marshals counted us down to our start minute then handed over the instructions. As I glanced over before driving off all I saw was a squiggly line but Elise translated it into a tracing and plotted it on route perfectly. The regularity began as a pleasant Sunday morning drive on the beautiful Yorkshire roads, but we weren’t the only ones out to enjoy them, so were the bikers, the cyclists and the tourists. Baulking was guaranteed, so our times over the six timing points varied greatly, 51 sec at the first then 0.07, 0.58, 0.09, 0.13 and 0.14.

Hawpike farm was the location of the next two tests, the first was a rather steep hill climb and although we were just 22 seconds off bogey most crews were a lot faster. The next one was where my tiredness really came into play, a longer test over a farm track and a field. Most crews cut straight over the field reducing their times drastically, not realising this was a viable option we followed the track around the edge to finish 52 seconds over bogey, slowest car on the test.

Slightly downhearted we began regularity three, which we had plotted the night before, the instructions were to go through exactly 54 green cycle dots. Unfortunately the first timing point was on a lovely open road and downhill, I couldn’t help myself, we were 24 seconds early, but I regret nothing! The following timing points we were five seconds late and then three seconds early, which we were very happy with.

Test six was a great test that I really enjoyed, at Coldstones quarry, a long fast test with multiple slaloms, which the TR4 handles really well. I thought we had a good time but again we were one of the slowest cars through.

Regularity four was our best regularity, we were handed the instructions at the Main control so had a couple of minutes to plot before reaching the reg start. We hit the timing points eight seconds early, eleven seconds late and then one second early. This may have lulled us into a false sense of security as it was straight into Regularity five another plot and bash.

As the instructions to this regularity were handed over I heard Elise groan, it was tulip diagrams with no distances, our nightmare from the previous rally was beginning again. We began ok but misread a tulip because it didn’t seem exact enough for the junction, Elise even double checked it with me and we decided to go straight on where we should have turned left. Eventually we realised and turned around but we got the maximum penalty of one minute at the control, 200m from the junction in question.

Three more tests back at the quarry followed, with one of them in the quarry itself. It was great sliding around but unfortunately I stalled off the start line, rather embarrassing, so our time was terrible. The next test we got to do twice, it was practically test six in the opposite direction, with fast times and slaloms through cones, our times were 38 over bogey the first time and 33 the second.

The last regularity of the day went very well, we actually managed to clear a timing point, then we were four early and 23 late. Before we knew it we were on the last test at Scargill reservoir, slightly different as we got to drive in convoy through the test slowly in reverse before turning around and driving it for real. Then it was onto the finish.

Unfortunately with a five hour drive and work the next day we had to load the TR4 onto the trailer and leave straight away, we were on the M5 when someone kindly messaged us with the results. We were very surprised to find out that we had finished 46^th overall and first in our class!

Another great one day event and definitely on the calendar for next year !

Seren x

North Yorkshire Classic - Round Two HRCR

After the five and a half hour journey up to York it was straight to scrutineering and then signing on. Even though the North Yorkshire classic is a one-day HRCR event, there is still a lot of preparation.

We spent the evening plotting regularities and I became rather confused over some of the navigation, however not as confused as we would be on Sunday. With information to plot just three regularities, it didn’t take too long and we opted for an early night ready for the early start.

Sunday started with a nifty plot and bash, but to my surprise, it was instructed as tulip diagrams, which are usually my favourite type of instructions. But this was extremely confusing as not every junction was shown, meaning you had to judge when you got there as apposed to plotting as you travel. Each junction was a complete guess, but we made it to the first two timing points.  Soon we came to 20mph speed change, where we presumed we would turn off the main road. Presumption was our downfall as our trip was slightly out, meaning we turned too soon and missed out on two other timing points giving us a massive penalty. It really set our spirits back but it did relieved the pressure meaning we had more of an opportunity to understand what was expected during a plot and bash.

 

The first few tests near the village of Tholthorpe were quite long and intricate, which meant both navigator and driver needed to be on top form. Luckily we were able to watch a few cars before us, so we were able to get our bearings and didn’t make a single mistake.  We even had a leisurely coffee break giving us time to rethink our errors and be sure to not make them again.

It was then time for our second regularity, which was pre-plotted. This made me very happy, and I was able to keep the timing down to seconds and Seren was able to drive without worrying where to go. Then came the driver’s test. Test 5 was located in a small muddy farmyard and was quite very tight to drive around, however Seren did a fantastic job and kept a constant smooth speed throughout giving us a good time without any incidents.

Straight on from there, it was time for another pre-plotted regularity. It is funny how you develop during these rallies, because a year ago I had no idea about timing and now it doesn’t worry me, it is the tougher elements, such as plot and bash, that make my nerves fly. Saying this, on regularity three, there was a point where we needed to avoid the main road and turn right, however when we arrived at the junction, the road we needed to take looked like a main one. If it wasn’t for Seren observing that the main road was further up, we would still be doing circles of the area.  Teamwork makes the dream work!

It was then off to Duncombe Park for the last 4 tests before lunch. These tests were extremely muddy and we were sliding all over the place, but this was a fantastic opportunity to put Seren’s driving to the test and she loved every minute. I enjoyed it too, but I needed to make sure, whilst sliding, we were going the right side of the cones. The final test before lunch was a great one as it consisted of slalom through 10 cones. As the area was quite open, it was the perfect time to pick up speed and see exactly what the TR4 could do.

After lunch, it was time to fuel and then on to the second plot and bash of the day. I was terrified, as I didn’t do too well on the one in the morning; but I tried not to let this affect me. As soon as I was handed the information, I was relieved to find out it was something that could be plotted and we went the right way and on time. A great pick up from the morning.

We managed to do a complete loop and ended up back at Duncombe Park for the second round of tests. This time it was a little more slippy, so we took extra caution whilst going round as we heard a few cars had argued with a tree. Although, we took a few seconds longer, we were still smooth, a technique I am yet to acquire.  It was at this point were allowed an extra 10 minutes break, as the rally was running early. As women, this was such a relief as we were able use the facilities. We don’t mind using trees and bushes but it isn’t as easy for us to do that.

The final leg of the rally was upon us all too soon. It was time for regularity 5. This was all pre-plotted but had a ludicrous amount of speed changes, making it nearly impossible to keep track of time. We got half way through, the regularity, when I complete lost a speed change and we went the wrong way, we couldn’t catch up on the time. Amazingly, Seren is fantastic at average speed and was able to get us to the final checkpoint with only 18 seconds on the clock. 

I was apprehensive about regularity 6 as it was a plot and bash, but each section of instructions was given to you at each timing point, meaning you had to go the right way. It was extremely exhilarating, and I loved the challenge of not knowing where to go next. We even zeroed a timing point.

Overall, it was a fantastic rally and a massive learning curve for both of us. We didn’t finish with the best result as we were 49^th but we came second in class. At least this means we can only improve.  I have definitely taken lots of skills away with me from the North Yorkshire, lets just hope I can put them into practice on the next one.

Elise x

Alfa Adventures on The Tour of Cheshire - Round One HRCR

Scruitineering and signing on for the Tour of Cheshire, the first one day round of the HRCR championship, was on Friday 28^th February 2014. Elise and I were really looking forward to it especially as it is so popular, we only made the reserve list and found out the week before that they had managed to convince the MSA to let them run a few more cars.

Our only issue was that on the Friday morning we were in Monte Carlo, where the ‘Winter Challenge’ had finished the night before. Elise had competed in a TR4 finishing 10^th overall and 3^rd in class and I was helping out with the event. So in true jet set fashion we flew straight in from Monte Carlo (Easy-Jet) picked up the car and headed off to begin our first rally of the season together.

The downside of this was that the ‘Winter Challenge,’ a tough five day event from Coventry to Monte Carlo consisting of very long days, had left us both on the verge of exhaustion. Picking up the 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV which I had never driven before quickly proved the adverse effects driving tired can have. In my short experience driving classic cars I have realized that you have to feel the car and drive them pro- actively otherwise the car doesn’t perform well, and each car is different. Due to my overtiredness I really struggled to find the Alpha’s rhythm and drive her and in true ‘bad workmen’ fashion I, of course, blamed the car!

Elise was also struggling, with no time the previous week for anything else but ‘The Winter Challenge’ after scruitineering and signing on (which was fantastically quick and easy) we had the entire route to plot. This is extremely difficult when the squiggly lines on the map are dancing in front of your eyes!

Luckily a very generous fellow competitor had offered us hospitality for the weekend and after a fantastic Chinese take away we all had an early night hoping that Saturday everything would be better.

Saturday

Feeling a lot more human we made our way to the measured distance with Elise trying to finish the days plotting in the back of the car. We quickly calibrated the trip to match the organisers and made it back to the start of the event before first car.

Eighty cars and crews were taking part in the rally and the event is seeded by experience, Elise and I were running with number 51 as novice competitors, so we watched as the top crews set off, enjoying a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea (coffee for me). At 9.21 am we were waved off the start line, at the Bickerton Poacher in Beeston, and began the first competitive section which was a regularity set at 24mph. This should have been easy however two junctions after the manned start we found ourselves behind a horse box who seemed to know the regularity route, with no passing places and reaching a top speed of 20 mph we dropped 2 minutes at the first control. These things always happen and as a ‘force Major’ there was nothing we could do about it. Disappointed we began the second regularity before completing two tests at near Shrewsbury and then a much needed cup of coffee.

We then had two more regularities and three tests before lunch, one test at Chowley Oak and the other two at Beeston Cattle Market. The first of these two regularities was alright with two timing points, we were eight seconds early for the first and 15 late for the second. The difficulty of working from speed tables is that once you see a Marshal in front of you, you have to guess the distance to them to be able to work out the exact time you should be at that point. The majority of the time we run two seconds early so Elise tells me to keep up the pace when we see a Marshal, that way we keep the average speed and use the two seconds to come to a stop (in theory). Something worked on the second regularity, as we hit the only timing control one second late.

At lunch we were running 54^th overall but as we are competing more for the experience than anything else we carried on regardless hoping to improve our timings and driving ability. There was more plotting to complete before the afternoon section so we got to work whilst enjoying a very welcome bowl of homemade vegetable soup and selection of sandwiches.

The afternoon sections went a lot better for us, we were both getting into the groove and I was starting to get into the rhythm of the Alpha. We had some great regularities, with lots of timing points but we were getting to the controls within 5 seconds and the tests were great fun, mostly on loose gravel, the top drivers were putting on a spectacular show.

The highlight of the afternoon was the regularity test held at Delamere Forrest, it was instructed as a Jogularity so we were given the times we needed to be at each distance but the distances were never more than 0.06 of a mile apart and each one had a direction. Elise concentrated on the route, and it is a good job she did. There were three loops of the course but each one was slightly different, sometimes you had to drive through buildings with the controls hidden inside. Cars were going everywhere, it was brilliant!

Later on we got to repeat that test as a normal driving test, trying to go a little but faster. The whole event ended with a long test at Beeston Cattle Market before heading back to The Bickerton Poacher for results, awards and dinner.

We were very surprised to finish 27^th overall and 2^nd in class, especially after the disastrous morning. Luckily the ‘Tour of Cheshire’ have a joker that cancels out your worst lateness result at a timing point. This scrubbed us of the 118 seconds that the horsebox cost us and boosted us up the results.

A fantastic one day event and a great start to the HRCR Championship, bring on round two!

Seren x