2008 Winter Project Work

Below is a list of jobs to be done to the car before the first round of the championship 9th/10th Feb, i had better get working ! :-

- MOT - Done 2nd Jan '08
- Refit serviced front shocks (amazingly cheap only 23 Quid + vat each at Gaz ) - Done 31st Dec '07
- Sort fuel pump relay issues, and add 'hard-wired' loom Done 19th Jan '08
- Add stage / road 'map' switch
- Sort trip meter sender wiring issues - Done 4th Feb '08
- Change spark plugs, rotor arm & cap, and HT-leads - Done 5th Feb '08
- Fit new cam belt, tensioner and water pump - Done 1st March
- Complete bolt check (as per every event check)
- Deal with dent....... - Done 7th Feb '08
- Fit new front brake discs & pads - Done 4th Feb '08
- Sort Cut-off switch wiring fault.....
- Decide on new tyres and get them fitted, and repair one wheel Tyre decision made ! We'll be running with Firestone F580 6-Ply tyres. Fitted four, now just trying to scrub them in ! (4th Feb '08)
- Adjust h/brake..... again ! (Before CMC Gymkhana) Done 15th Jan '08 and tested :) But driver needs more h/brake practice.....(luckily the Gymkhana proved just that practice :) !)
- Check drive belts -Done 4th Feb '08
- Check rear brakes - Done 7th Feb '08
- Change driveshafts - Done 7th Feb '08
- Speak to TRS about harness recall, new harness buckles on order, after Autosport Show, new buckles have arrived just got to fit them. Now fitted and much better :) - Done 4th Feb '08*
- Check all levels and change engine oil and filter - Done 7th Feb '08(inspect old filter)*
- Change fuel filter - Done 5th Feb '08 (inspect old filter)*
- Check / add front bumper mounts - Done 4th Feb '08
- Remove air-con, its never really worked well, so it can go - Done 1st March
- Inspect g/box oil for signs of wear etc.... - Done 7th Feb '08
- Refit nav's map light - Done 4th Feb '08
- Check +ve voltage at spots when on full beam - Done 7th Feb '08

* = Essential Items to be done before the first round of the championship early in February, too much work and too little time means some jobs will have to wait till the SW Enduro.

Updated 5th March '08

2007 in pictures....

5th O/A and 3rd in class on the South West Endurance Rally
(Click on any pics for a bigger version)


5th O/A and 1st in class on the CMC Mid-summer Endurance Rally


Same event but later that night in the fog



Pushing too hard on the Welsh Endurance, the clutch went later in the event so our first DNF..... :( - Camera Phone Pic, sorry for quality.



Yorkshire Endurance Rally - 21st O/A and championship positions confirmed :) - Taken in Boltby Forest one of the best forests around.



Lombard Rally 2007 - Setting 2nd Fastest Stage time at Silverstone, and taking 2nd place overall at the end of day 1.


Lombard Rally 2007 - On our way to another top ten time, this time at the three counties show ground.



Lombard Rally 2007 - Being flagged away for the start of the third day by the Mayor of Llandridnod Wells, starting in 8th place overall.

2007 Review

After a very successful 2007, plans are now afoot to make 2008 even better.

The switch to the Rover 200 proved to be a good move allowing us (Dave Leadbetter - Nav) to take many good results, and to challenge for top 5 results. This was backed up by taking 3rd Driver and 2nd Navigator in the National Endurance Road Rally Championship.

This was also backed up by this years Lombard rally (with Dave Town on the maps), although the final result didn't reflect our pace we were placed 2nd overall (out of 120 starters) at the end of day 1 and lying in ~6th place overall when we retired due to a fuel pump wiring fault.

Work and and plans are in place for an even stronger attack on this years championship, plans include :-

- Testing in January to evaluate new tyres for the championship
- Review and further development work on suspension settings
- Repairing and installing back-up wiring for the fuel pump
- Full overhaul and check of the rally car all ready for the first round of the championship early in February.