Alfa 33 1400 16V Rallycar

[rsfruitbat]

Hi Guys

I think i am most disappointed in myself. The rallying takes up a lot of time and money and then to turn up and not do your best is frustrating. When the car breaks thats one thing but if everything else is working then your only choice if the times arent there is to look in the mirror

If as i far as i am concerned if i am driving to the best of my ability, and still get a pants result, then thats just the way of the world. Its when you know you can do better but just dont know what switch you have to pull to turn on your inner demon thats an issue . A lot of it comes down to confidence which i find can be very hit and miss. Maybe not enough seat time this year? May was the last event we finished.

The flag will be flying at Rockingham. I have a pont to prove there after last year. If i can build on how i was going in the afternoon at Oulton i will be happy.

Thanks guys

rsfruitbat

[Sud 145]

You shouldn't be disappointed because you're doing something you enjoy and the driving ability must have improved leaps and bounds which in the real world could get you out of a nasty situation on the road. Bear in mind it's your money that's going into your hobby and only you can say "I'm not getting any quicker" or "Can I quantify the expense?". Imagine how Alonso feels and he doesn't have to stump up any hard earned cash. Tony.

[rsfruitbat]

Thanks for your thoughts Tony. That is the eternal dilemma, at what point does the level of enjoyment experienced outweigh the time and money spent

Anyway

Car cleaned off and delivered to the NEC yesterday for the NEC Classic Motor Show. 33 is on the Quinton Motor Club stand which is on the outer wall in hall 4 between entrances 4.5 and 4.6.
We will be there all day Sunday if anyone is making the trip.

rsfruitbat

[KevJTD]

Saw this is the Classic car weekly magazine this week mate, thought it'd be a good event to do?

As it's open to classics only at least it wouldn't be a blow out by all the Imprezza's and Evos, even if there'd still be some MK2 Escorts with Millington power!

Get your name down, they'd love the variety of an Alfa I bet.....closed road Rallying on mainland UK at last..well, apart from the Scottish and Manx stuff of course!

[rsfruitbat]

Hi Kev.

Should there be a link in your post????

Rsfruitbat

[KevJTD]

Hi Kev.

Should there be a link in your post????

Rsfruitbat

Guilty!

[rsfruitbat]

Hi Kev.
Not quite as they suggest I'm afraid. If you look on there website they say they they expect everything from classic mk2 escorts to the latest WRC cars. Which is a shame. We may still think about putting an entry in but I expect they will be at a premium.
Once the same legislation has been rubber stamped by the Welsh assembly then I think we will see some Good events a bit closer to home.
Thanks for thinking of me though.

Rsfruitbat

[rsfruitbat]

Had a good day at the classic car show. 33 got a lot of interest.
Eventually found the AROC stand and was pleased to see the green meanie there.
Hung around quite a while waiting to speak to what I think was Ted but he was deep in conversation with who i later found out to be a man called Kevin Reynolds.
Car looked fantastic Ted

AROC people couldn't understand why I was reluctant to spend £40+ to join???

I still love Montecarlo,s, actually managed to sit in one and

Scirrocco enthusiasts were really helpful and we invested £10 in joining them.

Managed to find some parts for the Marina.

Spent a big chunk of money on a new gazebo.

A good day

Rsfruitbat

[rsfruitbat]

Car 46 at rockingham.

Rsfruitbat

[Johnboy]

Good luck adie

[grboulter]

Good luck at Rockingham Adie, will try to get there!

[rsfruitbat]

Thanks guys. If you do get there wrap up warm because it's supposed to be blooming cold this weekend. We haven't got the same level of access into the grandstand either. There is some indoor viewing available.
Big question is will it snow, won't it snow?????

Rsfruitbat

[Kegsti66]

Hi guys, have any of you got a preferred day as I can do either. It will be good if we can all meet up.
Cheers Adie, I think I may dig out the thermals.

[KevJTD]

I'll be there on Sunday, work Saturday as usual.

Bit of snow won't hurt, apart from the toes

[rsfruitbat]

Thanks guys.
Just look for the Alfa flag under the grandstand.

Rsfruitbat

[Kegsti66]

Sunday it is then mate, see you there.

[rsfruitbat]

Hi Guys

Weather is looking pretty dodgy for Sunday so i wouldnt want anyone taking risks getting to the venue.
Love to see you all but dont expect anyone to come out if what they are predicting materialises.

rsfruitbat

[KevJTD]

Does look a bit iffy, I'll see what the weekend brings. Will aim to get there as promised, too long I've missed coming over mate

[rsfruitbat]

Hi Kev. Iffy doesn't quite cover it. So far we have got about 4" of snow here and it's come pretty much as per forecast .
Snow is supposed to turn up in Corby early hrs of Sunday morning and pretty much snow on and off all day.

In my opinion see what it's like but I wouldn't take any risks.

Had a last minute panic as my codriver has come down with a virus so had to organise a stand in.

Getting there is the first challenge!!!

Rsfruitbat

[KevJTD]

Hmn, cold here but no snow yet....

Hope you make it there and back safely mate, any danger they'll cancel? Stages being snow covered is one thing, roads treacherous to get there is another...

[rsfruitbat]

A rally of 2 halves really.
Saturday- Dry and very cold. Ran slicks all day. tried different compounds and makes and eventually got the car handling just right by the end of the day.
One thing i did discover on Saturday is that by todays standards my spotlights are junk. These Lazer light bars are incredible.

Sunday - woke up to the white stuff falling and inch of it already lying.
Got up to the venue and swapped the slicks for snow tyres and knobblies (i should have been a boy scout!).
Drivers briefing advised us the start had been repositioned and delayed by an hour and no lapping on first stage.
Come back in an hours for confirmation.
one hour later...
Rally cancelled. after driving the stages it was not deemed safe for officials or competitors to be out in those conditions.
problem with a racing circuit covered in snow is there aint a lot of info to tell you where the edge of the tarmac is.
Pleased with the result of 35th O/A and 3rd in class
By the time we left at midday there was about 4" and still snowing. Good call by the organisers really, even if i was going to win the event out right because i had the right tyres

Took us about 4 hrs to get back through some pretty horrible conditions passing a few accidents and abandoned cars.

Thanks to everyone who said they were originaly going to come along. Right decision to stay at home.

All thats left to do now is sort everything out and try and dry it.

After that next job is to pop over to cambridgshire to pick up my xmas present

rsfruitbat

[KevJTD]

Cracking result for Saturday mate, 3rd in class is a great achievement, hope a trophy is in order?

Shame the weather meant a trip out wasn't on the cards to come see you, felt guilty for not travelling but judging by the state of some of the roads on the news and the Rally subsequently being cancelled it made sense.

Fingers crossed the next instalment will bring more rewards, early Xmas present to yourself

[Kegsti66]

Good result Adie,
Like Kev, sorry I had to cancel.
I am south of Corby and it was a good 4 inches here. I knew it was coming south so knew I would only travel onto more stuff so decided not to take the risk.
Hope Santa brings you something nice and bright.

[rsfruitbat]

Unfortunately no trophy for 3rd in class. Need to gets spots sorted if I do more in the dark. We were up to 33rd after 4 stages but dropped time in the dark. My stand in co-driver usually drives and he
has just had some light bars for his car. He was the one who flagged the defficiency
My Xmas present is big, red would make a good sledge but has 8 wheels!!!!

Rsfruibat

[grboulter]

Congrats on the 3rd place Adie.
I'm afraid I didn't venture out on Sunday!

Happy sledging....

[rsfruitbat]

Got an entry at Donnington on March 4th.

Never done this venue before but hoping i will like it. Wife competed their last year

rsfruitbat

[KevJTD]

I'll try my best to be there mate......

[rsfruitbat]

Would be great to meet up Kev

Rsfruitbat

[PETROLHEAD]

Do you want me to bring your cams up Ade?

[rsfruitbat]

If you are that way then yes please

Rsfruitbat