Leukaemia Rally, Saturday May 14

[Nigel 628]

HRCR Clubmans Championship, Round 3, the leukaemia Rally, is taking place in three weeks time down in South Wales:

 

http://www.ecurie-cymraeg.co.uk/ 'Leukaemia Rally'.

 

Whilst I am primarily interested in stage rallies, I am beginning to enjoy the HRCR regularity road rally series. Compared to stage rallies they are much cheaper and car performance is secondary to navigational accuracy. They can be tackled in a standard TR without problems or damage. The number of TR's of various ages regularly competing proves it is quite a popular choice of car, and I would encourage TRR members who are looking for something more than the usual 'show & shine' or scenic tour and wish to try a competitive event to give it a go. The HRCR series may seem perhaps like jumping in at the deep end, but there are usually beginners' classes included with easier navigation to cater for the complete novice, and that's where we all started. The HRCR website gives details of the rounds which are fairly well didtributed around the country: http://www.hrcr.co.uk/Clubmans_Rally_Championship/ Do give it a try! Entry fees usually hover just over the £100 mark but this typically includes all food for the day with a proper hot meal at the finish so is not much more than scenic tour prices. Indeed, some of the events hold a 'run' following the main rally, which is cheaper, has no regularity sections, follows the same route with simple navigation, and allows the drivers to have a bash at the same driving tests if they wish to.

 

After the Tour of Cheshire I have been keen to develop the Triumph 2000 for this type of event but in fact Les and I will be doing the Leukaemia in the TR4. I actually registered for this Championship on the first round, and intend to do some more rounds this year.

 

I notice from the entry list that Kevin is taking no chances after missing the 'Cheshire' and had his TR3A's entry in pretty sharpish! Hopefully Tony's TR4 has now had the ripples smoothed out after his little over-enthusiastic moment on the Cheshire and will be there after missing the Ilkley.

 

Nigel

[kevin bryant]

I agree. It seems Triumphs are very well suited for these type of events.The Triumphs took more silverware than any other make on the Ilkley, let's hope we can keep that going in South Wales.

 

Yes we dithered too long getting the entry in on the Cheshire so I was keen to pin Robert down for the Leukaemia with Ian already committed to the navigate for Mart (http://www.btrdarally.com/2011-Plains-Rally.asp) in his incredible quick 1400 Mark II Escort.

 

Rob's Mark II, by the way, is now tucked up safely in a container on it's way to Barbados. Rob is competing in the rally there (http://www.rallybarbados.bb/) at the begining of June with Ian and Mart both going out to mechanic for him.

 

Take care Kev

[Tr4Tony]

Hi all

 

Yes hoping to reappear for this event ... one of my favourites and I hope we might be in Caerwent for a few gentle regularities .... keep you posted.

 

It seems that we did the afternoon in Cheshire with the front left suspension detached from the chassis rail, which would explain the 'slight pull to the left' on hard accleration and braking ...... so a moderately more complicated to sort out satisfactorily, so Beastie is still at TR Enterprises getting it done properly as we speak ....

 

Regards

 

Tony

[Nigel 628]

Wow, a little scary that, Tony....one of those things which it's just as well you were not aware of it at the time! Hope you can make the Leukaemia OK.

 

I should point out after my earlier comments that Tony's little argument with a steel post on the Cheshire - and Paul Wignall's 911's suspension damage on a kerb at the High Legh test - were both the result of top crews pushing the limits in going for the win, and even in those circumstances car damage is rare.

 

I do hope they use Caerwent, as I will be there again in June for the HSRC Midsummer Stages where there will be a bit more than 'gentle regularities' going down.... and a look at the place on the Leukaemia will be a handy preview! The word 'kerbs' seems to crop up a lot......

 

Nigel

[Tr4Tony]

Rules of Caerwent are;

 

1. Stay off the kerbs

2. Dont go over the kerbs

3. Beyond the kerbs are scary things

4. etc.

 

Seriously, the roads are fine within the tarmac surface no matter how loose, but off track even by a few inches there are walls, ditches, lumps of concrete and all sorts which you just cant see and clouting any of them at speed will finish your rally for the weekend. You need to be precise, much more so than Swynnerton or Warcop where there is a little more room to swing the tail out (as you know Nigel!!!) .... and thats not counting the various derelict structures that seem to populate the ends of the straights or the tight turns where you need to slither through at speed. Ive seen a few cars (mainly Escorts !) slammed into these or with wheels and suspension hanging off as they lost it trying to avoid the walls and mashed kerbs, so tidy and quick is the way round. Hot and leery wont work and there is no one to cheer anyway ........... I short shift a lot in Caerwent these days! having learned my lessons well.

 

Hope to see you there. Entry went off today as Tom at TRE assures me that the offending bits will be blue again shortly. Might have a go at the Stages later this year if my diary stops filling up.

 

Regards

 

Tony

[Nigel 628]

I've rallied at quite a few old army camps in my time, most of which feature nasty hard things at the side of the track, but Caerwent seems to have it all - I shall be studying it very closely on the 14th. However. it does seem to be useful in cutting down the number of Escorts a bit, which is no bad thing, especially in historic stage rallying.... did I say that, surely not.....

 

As Swynnerton is an active camp, we were also warned about the amount of live ammo scattered about the grass verges; don't cut corners or you risk a very pointy rifle round through the sidewall (I was lucky!) and if you break down and pull off, whatever you do don't pick anything up! This rallying lark can be more dangerous than you think!! The Midsummer Stages on 26th June is described as an asphalt rally but it sounds like there are plenty of gravelly bits at Caerwent; Swynnerton is the same, plus it was wet, but we ran on Dunlop tarmac rally tyres which worked fine. Neat and tidy it is then; I'm finding it's the quickest way with a TR anyway, they are not that suitable for a power sliding style.

 

It would be great to have you come out on some stages this year, Tony, it's getting a bit lonely out there holding up TR4 honours by myself!!

 

The Leukaemia Rally entry list is filling up well now; see the website under 'entries 2011'.

 

Nigel

[Nigel 628]

The entry list is filling up nicely with a week and a half to go.

 

A good showing of Triumph TR's; a TR3A, three TR4's and a TR4A. Plus a few other examples of the marque in the form of a Mk1 Vitesse and two Mk1 2000 saloons. All in category one, pre-1968.

 

Amusingly, the entry list struggles with the name Triumph: all the early entries are listed as 'Truimphs' until the second TR4 is finally spelt correctly. Unfortunately things then take a nose-dive as Tony's car becomes a 'Tiumph' and the final TR4A is apparently a 'Triuph'!!!

 

Nigel

[kevin bryant]

Seeded 48 out of 50.

 

Now surely we can improve on that!

 

Take care Kev

[Tr4Tony]

Im afraid I have no blue paint on the LH side yet, so Richard and I wont be able to make it. Gutted, as its going to be a quick one ..... You will be in Caerwent.

 

Regards and big bottom lip ;-(((

 

Tony

[Tom Boyd]

Really gutted it couldn't be finished in time for you Tony

 

Next time buddy

 

Tom

[stuart]

What do you need paint for Tony, the extra weight would only slow you down

Stuart.

[Tom Boyd]

Nothing slows Tony down............

[stuart]

Nothing slows Tony down............

 

Has done this time though

Stuart.

[Tr4Tony]

Well what can I say ..... who needs friends when I have you fine chaps ..... !

 

And, thanks Tom for what you're doing, at least this way the paint will stay on the sills until June

 

Regards

 

Tony

[Nigel 628]

Sorry you couldn't make it, Tony, we missed you.

 

We were lucky with the weather, despite the poor forecast it was pretty much dry all day and downright hot and sunny at times!

 

I wasn't impressed by the woodland tests, I haven't done anything that rough even on forestry stages with the TR4 until now, the sumpguard took a right pounding, not to mention the rear suspension. I suppose I could have driven slower - or chosen a car with better ground clearance!

 

Enjoyed Caerwent though, I am now familiar with the kerbs - although not on an intimate basis, I'm pleased to say!

 

Nigel

[kevin bryant]

 

I wasn't impressed by the woodland tests, I haven't done anything that rough even on forestry stages with the TR4 until now, the sumpguard took a right pounding, not to mention the rear suspension. I suppose I could have driven slower - or chosen a car with better ground clearance!

 

 

 

Nigel,

 

The woodland tests were the same as last year. Ground clearance a problem as are two of the turns; the first down into the stream - that needs a three point turn; and again mid way through - another three point turn.

 

Haven't had time to get under the car yet so don't know if there are any new bangs and scrapes.

 

Messed up on the last regularity where we didn't read the instructions and missed two code boards - 20 mins in penalties. Aghhhh

 

regards kev

[Nigel 628]

TR4 up on the ramp yesterday to assess the situation: battered sumpguard, two broken electric fan stays, weld snapped on turret brace radiator stay bracket, radiator now seeping slightly, big dents in back of tunnel from contact with rear prop UJ (so that was the big bang), otherwise no damage....

 

What was I saying about doing these events in a standard car in the first post? Well, Kev's always open-topped TR3A IS standard, and immaculate - he just drives it more sympathetically than I do mine!

 

Oh, and we missed the two code boards on the last regularity too, but realised the mistake when we hit the second triangle so went back for the first one. Dropped time on the section with doing that, of course.

 

Nigel

Edited May 19, 2011 by Nigel 628

[Tr4Tony]

Hi

 

Sorry to hear that youve got some work on Nigel, but the Leuk is a tough one on cars that are driven quickly ..... as I remember that was the first competative rally I took 3VC on (with Rob Kiff) and you can still see a big dent in the sumpguard to this day from a fast corner in the forests where we (I) decided to skitter across the top of the big lumps rather than drive round them .... In my case I think the word 'Idiot' springs to mind.

 

At least you done have to get anything spray painted in body colour, so jobs a good one. Keep on pushing.

 

Regards !

 

Tony

[MichaelH]

I believe we have an entry although as the web site for the club won't come up I am not entirely sure

the runs thru the woods are always difficult for the TR as I can't stop mine on soft leaves and arrive at turn right round cones going too quickly and have to back up

I will be in my version of "VC" car which will be interesting to see how we compare to the quite soft TR4A

Gently does it - in theory - but I know when the guy says go we will try our best

Regards

Michael

[Ryan]

Hello Michael,

 

I have sent an entry off yesterday. We aren't showing on the entries yet but have also spoken to the entries sec. and are confirmed.

I look forward to seeing your new car and it will be interesting to see how quickly it can go.

The TR is in bits at the moment waiting a new steering rack, linky bits and also a nearside vertical link.

It is my second rack in 4 rallies with the car and so am fitting the brackets for the later style rack which will hopefully be marginally stronger.

We try to keep the whole thing straight but as you say when the flag goes down. I think we hit a pot hole a bit hard last time out.

 

Anyway hope the car will all be back together, failing that we'll be in the 1600 vitesse. Looking forward to it and hope to see everyone there.

 

Cheers Ryan

[Tr4Tony]

Hope to see you all there ..... Entry going tomorrow .....

 

Regards Tony

[Ryan]

Who with then Tony?

 

By the bye Lisa has made up with me and I am anticipating a run together!

 

So let us talk TR! Do you and Michael have early or late mounted steering racks?

 

I've come to except that these days that we don't finish a rally without a few hundred (don't tell my customers) spent on the parts that we bend!!!!!

 

Look forward to seeing you all,

 

Ps don't tell Lisa but I'm not sure that a nav change helps a winning crew!!!!

 

 

[TorontoTim]

A 1600 Vitesse would be interesting - that used to be my rally mount for a number of years back in the UK in the early 90's. A little underpowered, but VERY nimble and we had some great battles with the cortinas - usually beat the GT's, but lost out to the Lotus variant on pure grunt over long tests. My navigator was something special, so we could make it up on regularities and we were about even on the night sections we did back then which, overall, meant we ran the best Lotus Cortina crews pretty close. And we had some GREAT banter and stories over a pint or two after the event. Ah, those were the days...............

 

Anyway, best of luck to you all - the Leukaemia has always been a good event.

Edited May 6, 2012 by TorontoTim

[Nigel 628]

Crikey, Ryan, what are you doing to it? I haven't done that much damage even on forest stage rallies! In fact, I haven't touched my steering or most of the front suspension since I bought the car 3 years ago. But I have noticed that there are usually more mechanical retirements of all types of cars on tarmac rallies than in the rougher forests, possibly because of stress from higher speeds and cornering forces. We lost a third of the competitors at the GiS rally 2 weeks ago, moderns and historics; on the Rally of the Midlands in 2010 over 50% of the field failed to finish: it was all very fast tarmac stages and we used places like Mallory Park and a 14-mile stage round MIRA, repeated several times over two days and cars were breaking down everywhere!

 

Of course, you could always drive like an old man like me, you won't win anything but won't break the car either!

 

WKE has the stronger late-type chassis rack mounts with a Moss 2.5-turn 'competition quick rack' in the early type all-alloy mounts. That's how I bought it; the car had been used for the Rally of the Tests the previous five years. I believe the early '4s had 2.5 racks before going to 3.5 on the later '4s and '4As so it's a bit of kidology advertising them as 'quick', but either way the TR4 FIA homologation forms allow a 2.5 rack so they are OK. Moss claim their quick racks are built with stronger, thicker tubes for rallying, allegedly.

 

I was very tempted with a Vitesse for road rallies myself, Tim, but ended up with a Mk1 2000 saloon. The idea was to use this for road rallies and keep the TR4 for stages, but apart from the ToC last year the temptation has been to keep using the TR! I love driving the 2000 and will use it again I'm sure, but as Les has other priorities this year I am currently without a good regularity navigator so will probably keep to stages for now. The Harry Flatters on Epynt could be next and I'm currently dreaming about the Ulster, and maybe even tackling Johnny Foreigner on the Tour of Flanders........

 

Good luck to all on the Leukaemia! The word at the GiS was that Caerwent is likely to be lost to rallying in the same way as Swynnerton (new Army man in charge who hates motorsport), it that true?

 

Nigel

Edited May 6, 2012 by Nigel 628

[MichaelH]

Hi Ryan

The photo of your winning in Yorkshire was head on and it shows that you run a big front anti roll bar, I am interested as at present I have no anti roll bars on the 4 and my experience with the 4A (obviously different with IRS) is to have more/heavier ARB on the back than the front.I will be interested to see how the new car behaves when trying harder than normal road driving. Any comment? previous experience?

Michael