Reports and Reviews 2005            

 

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*          Lee Holland 2005

 

Event held at:   

Championship:

Date:   

Anglesey Race Circuit,

ANWCC Stage Rally

Sunday 17th April

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Finishing position:

 

Motorsport News Report: 

 

36/59 Overall

3rd in Class

Lee Holland MSN April 2005

 

Grizedale 2005                       

 

It was cold but sunny start to the day in the Lake District.  My Dad, Phil, Tony, Will and I made the trip up the night before for scrutineering, so there was no need to rush in the morning. We left the car ready to go in the service park.  Being my first gravel event I was a bit nervous but once we did the final checks on the car and I got in, I was fine.  We were ready to drive to the first stage.  When we got to the stage there was a 20 minute delay due to car 6 crashing out so there was time to go through the pacenotes with Will.  I couldn’t believe how steep the hill was at the start line all the cars in front of us were wheel spinning for fun off the line.  Our turn next.

         

We started off well, getting quicker at each bend but I felt something was wrong with the rear of the car.  It was crabbing badly, I nearly went off in a big way into the trees but managed to accelerate my way out of trouble.  Then 2.1 miles in there was a 90 right and by my surprise my left back wheel went past us, the marshals waved me to stop.  I quickly jumped out the car to try to replace the wheel with a spare but the nuts had sheered off leaving only two studs left.  I managed to get the wheel back on. The marshals were a great help (thanks to who ever you are)….

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….As we were fixing the wheel one of the marshals said “You better hurry because the closing car is coming and if it goes past you will be deemed out of the rally” so Will looked out to stop the closing car.  We were on our way again but very slowly, the car still not feeling right at all.  We decided to go straight to service to fix the problem and try to compete in the Trophy rally in the afternoon.  At the end of the stage we asked where the road is to go back to service but there wasn’t one so we had to do another 9.4 stage to get to it. Three quarters of the way in the wheel fell off again so we pulled over to put it back.  I said to Will we won’t be able to make it to the end of the stage but luckily there was a spectator entrance just in front of us.  We managed to get back on the main road where my Dad and Phil were waiting for us.  Phil tried his best to repair the hub but it was too far gone, a disappointing day for all of us.  Though we didn’t finish we all enjoyed the whole day.  Better luck next time. 

         

Here is a copy of the WestMorland Gazette featuring the Coppermines Grizedale Stage Rally and the surprising headline.  WestMorland Gazette