Lets go Rallying

Take a rally team from the south east that have over the years had some success, but due to various changes they needed during 1999 to find a new co-driver.

To the surprise of the team along came a young guy from Anglesey. He had little experience at the level of motor sport he was being accepted into but he showed the keenness that could lift the team once again.

During the 1999 season he made steady progress and the driver began to put more and more trust into the co driving skills that were now coming from the other seat.

Any problems that developed were dismissed as not being too important but it was increasingly difficult to find the funds to support the whole team from the small amount of sponsorship that was being obtained. That money was going towards keeping the car competitive and in good shape with the latest parts and good quality tyres. Along with the service barge and trailer expenses were running high. So it seemed best that the co driver contribute towards his travelling and accommodation on events. This helped the team considerably and we all agreed that 2000 was to be a full out attempt at the BTRDA championship.

To close the 1999 season it was agreed that the team would enter the co driver's local event at Ty Croes, Anglesey even though the car was not prepared for a tarmac event. To help with the cost the co driver agreed to arrange and pay for the accommodation for the whole crew. That was a great help but even after taking that in to consideration it still proved to be an expensive event, but in good humour everyone enjoyed the event. The result was a little disappointing as during the stages the co driver showed too much interest in his family and friends and missed some important split junctions which gave the team some poor stage results as they either did too many circuits or not enough. The air did turn blue but that was soon forgotten and the team headed back to the southeast to prepare the car for 2000. During the closed season whilst the team prepared the car the co driver continued his newfound fame in Wales not having to pick up a spanner during that time.

It was thought that a web site would be a good idea as he was involved with computers. So with some effort but little contribution a web site was opened. Everyone was pleased with the result although it did lack design flair but it was only our first attempt.

So along came 2000 and off into the forest again. This time the team had additional support with a management car crew also from Anglesey. We did have the look of a very organised team. A difficulty came around mid season when the co driver began to run short of cash and was having problems supporting himself and the management crew. To help the driver gave a car to the co driver to use personally and to travel to events. The management crew on events also used this car. A much better situation. Unfortunately other problems were eating in to the team's available cash. The replacement gearbox and numerous non finishes due to suspension problems meant it was decided to withdraw from forest rallying for 2000.

The car was refitted in the southeast to tarmac specification and selected tarmac events were challenged. During this time a new service crew joined the team and together the results stated coming good. Top five finishes were commonplace and the team was upsetting the tarmac racers on a regular basis.

By competing on these tarmac events the expenses were reduced for the co driver as no management crew were needed and the chase car was reducing the costs as well. Once in to tarmac specification the desire to race at Ty Croes came up again so without hesitation the whole team travelled to Anglesey only this time the car was in better shape the service crew were better prepared and the co driver more concentrated. The result was one that pleased everyone. Except this time the expenses were even higher as all the accommodation was paid for by the driver along with food for everyone including the co driver and friends on the nights off between the days racing. The additional cost of tyres made this the winner of the highest cost event the team had contested.

The final events of 2000 saw the team compete mostly in the southern part of the country as this greatly reduced the travelling time but the team and crew still had to sleep and eat and the cost of tyres was consuming cash rapidly.

The team entered the final event of the year reluctantly as it meant another trip to Anglesey from Sussex. The high cost of the previous events caused a lot of consideration along with the unavailability of a full service crew really meant no one was fully enthusiastic at the prospect. At the last moment it was decided we would go to Ty Croes as the co driver was now a committee member of the organising club and he was very keen to take on the local tarmac racers on what was his home event.

On arrival the promised accommodation was not available but a last minute bed was found but not what was originally described. Although we were grateful to the house owners three in a room and uncountable miles from the venue was not what we expected. With that behind us the event went well. It was unfortunate that the weather changed and we did not have the right tyres for the conditions. A top three result slipped to a top five position but we all went away happy.

The 2000 season over we all agreed to meet again in 2001, when we would be back in the forest to tackle real stage rallying.

The driver and service crew noticed a change in attitude of the co driver during the last event and suspected some problems may come about before the start of the new season. Then came the long silence. The promise of a cheque to tax the chase car left on Anglesey during the close season did not arrive. The expiry date came and went and e-mail message became a one-way affair.

Finally, a message, some admission of borrowing a rally car and competing during December. Well the picture on the events web site told the story, off on stage 2, and the sad messages that followed of having to repair or rebuild and the expense that would involve.

Except, the story had a few holes in it that just didn't quiet add up. Why was the borrowed rally car seen driving around Anglesey on many occasions before the event with the co driver behind the wheel. The story that he had bought the car and was about to venture in to owning and driving his own car reached the southeast. Where they eagerly awaited news of the co driver's intentions for 2001.

The waiting continues and still no news from Anglesey so it seems the partnership built up over a couple of seasons has reached an end.

It seems that there are only a few loose ends to tie up. The team needs the web site closed down, he needs also to stop using their name as part of his own e-mail address and to make arrangement to have the chase car and spare parts available for returning to the team in the south east.

A better solution would be to come up with the true story and part as friends as it does not matter to anyone concerned what aspirations anyone has. Except to say that we could have helped each other rather than to disappear out of contact.

As a closing thought to enjoy motor sport you don't have to be first, fast, the best or rich but you have to be able to think about what you are doing and if you can afford it at what ever level you are competing. You also need the right people to help when things get difficult it's no place for individuals you need a team around you.