How was it for you?

Brian Hardie explains the hardships of being a rally journo for Rallye FM!

Friday night and Moody on the mobile, "Yes." I say airily, "Call me at 06.30 and we'll finalise to meet in Reception at 07.00 to brief you on the Rallye FM schedule."

Saturday morning, 07.14 - I've just woken and it's Moody on the mobile again. His voice explodes down the phone and he's not describing a Bike GP. "I'm at the Winter Gardens Hotel, where the xxxx is the Highcliff?" "Oh my God," I reply. "Not a clue where you are." "Don't worry, I've just seen a sign to Rally HQ." he replies. (Thank God for Rick's excellent signage.)

I direct him to the Rallye FM office to meet Andy Marlor and then turn to Corinna who is oozing disapproval at my late start. Silently I curse Easson and President Arthur, whilst tuning into Rallye FM on the hotel TV. The usual suspects were in the bar last night or rather morning. I'm late and due on air in one hour as Rallye FM's roving reporter. The Moody I've referred to isn't funny money either but Eurosport Bike GP commentator, Toby Moody.

The other main commentator is Robin Bradford and I can hear him on my TV, interviewing Rick Smith on the ramp. Guilt washes over me - this rally has begun and I'm faffing about trying to get dressed.

Rush downstairs. No breakfast and meet my chauffeur for the day, Adrian Grinsted. He's been out and about since 03.00, helping set up crews. Blimey, I'd only been in bed about an hour! Tune into Rallye FM and hear Moody, phew, he made it! Adrian and I head for PCB, after SS3 and are due on air at 09.00.

Nerves are just starting, time for the first cigarette of the day and huge intakes of water. Adrian is Mr. Laid Back and keeps me calm. The last time we worked together was the Acropolis Rally in 1989 for Rob Arthur's company Food for Sport. Loads of reminiscing between two old men!

Last year, my first with Rallye FM, I had a proper microphone; this year I can only have my mobile phone. I call in to the studio and then use it upside down to talk to drivers. Well, I am the novice broadcaster among the pros. It'll give the drivers a laugh. (It did!)

It's now 08.50 and I'm darting between the car to listen to Rallye FM and hear Paul Sutton, the Anchorman, telling everyone where I am. More nerves, another cigarette! The PC crew are helpful and keep me updated on the position of the first car. It's five minutes away. Time to call the studio. A girl answers and asks who I am and that I can't speak to Paul as he's on air. Deep breath and I machine gun down the phone who I am, what I'm doing and that I must speak to Paul. He breezes onto the phone asking how I am! All I can get out is "The cars are coming. The cars are coming". . ."OK," he says. "We'll finish this advert, 10 seconds to go and you're live."

"Gawd, I can see a Scooby coming into view and blimey, it's Kenny! Where's Marcus?" Possible major story and we're listening to xxxx adverts! We're still not live so I do Kenny on paper. Suddenly the adrenalin has taken over, I'm in rally mode and really enjoying it, we're flying. The broadcast goes well and we set off to our next point.

The rest of the day goes along at a similar pace. We do some SS finishes, a start and another PC at Home Farm. We interject this with visits to Somerley and join Bradford for banter in the commentary box. He makes it look so easy. I'm also being fed information from Jerry Williams and Roy Aylett - the phone is busy.

Suddenly it's 17.00 and our last broadcast from Avon Park. We thank everyone who has helped us in the day, especially 22 Motorsport for their hospitality and lunch - a godsend on such a cold day.

We got the major story on the rally at the end of SS12, when Marcus banged in a mega effort to take 10 seconds from Kenny, despite a 10s spin to take the lead.

The upside down mobile did its job and working on Rallye FM is as much fun as competing on the rally itself. I know, I've done both. Honest. IN fact, it's harder!