Epynt Ranges 2016
The second round of the HRCR Mini Cup took place over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
For those that don't know the Epynt ranges, they are the military training grounds close to Breacon. The roads are some of the most demanding I have ever driven on, with the tarmac rising over blind crests and the road then turning.
There are no trees to follow the road, this makes it important to have quality notes, to tell you which way the road will go over the next blind brow. It also is important to commit to the notes so to obtain the best times.
My car the Minisport/J P Joinery Mini Cooper S remained the same as it finished the Agbo stages, apart from the starter motor had been rebuilt. We had been invited to a test day organised for all the championship contenders by Minisport about three weeks prior to the event which the car ran with no problems.
I had fitted new Yokohoma tyres to try and get the best possible grip if it was to rain.
Scrutineering was held on the same day as the rally but, 6am for the start of scrutineering made for an early start, this went all OK, and none of the Minis had any problems.
We then were able to check the stages, with one run over each stage to check the organisers' notes.
As the rally started the heavens opened and, as always in Wales, it started to rain. We were seeded at car 36, with a total of 20 Minis entered it would be important for a quick run over the first few stages to try and pull a few seconds before everyone settled.
The lights changed to green and I dropped the clutch, the road was extremly slippy with the rain but we made it through the stage. We then went staight on to the next stage, which was the format for the whole rally, again I pushed trying to committ to the blind crests flat in top gear.
It was then back to service and compare our times. To my surprise we had been quickest over the first two stages, with Peter Horsborough, Adrian Kermode, Shane Gamble and the rest not far behind.
Andrew O'Hanlon and Paul Price had both stopped on the stages but had managed to get going again, taking a maxium time for the stage.
We had only time for a dash and splash before we were away again with a rerun over the same two stages. Thankfully Craig had the help on this event from Paul for servicing so everthing was completed in time.
The next stages went well for us and I felt that the tyres were working and was able to push the car hard, until the last couple of miles where someone had dropped oil all over the road.
The stages continued until half way though where we had a longer break for lunch, we were able to have a look at the results.
We had managed to stay in the lead of the Minis with Shane, Adrian not far behind.
The next stages were the revese direction and the rain continued to come down. The start of the stage was covered in the oil that had been left by an earlier car on the previous stage, I backed off to make sure that we stayed on the road.
Again we completed two stages and then back for a quick dash and splash. It was then back out for the next two stages.
With four stages left to run we came to the flying finish to find the car running in front of us had broken down, we had to wait for the guys to push it out of the way.
We shot off and just manged to book into the control on our minute.
As we pulled away from the control I noticed the oil pressure had dropped to 15psi, normally my car runs 75psi.
We drove into service and asked Craig to have a look at the pressure relief valve. Craig could not find anthing wrong, and the pressure had not improved. I decided to go out again but back off, hoping I would not wreck the engine.
The next stage, with one eye on the oil pressure guage I started to short shift, ie Change up at 6500rpm to help the oil pressure. To my suprise the pressure went up to 75psi and stayed there.
At the end of the stage the pressure also stayed at 75psi and did so all the way through the last few stages but was still low on tickover.
To our suprise we had still extended our lead over the other Minis but had dropped time to one of the Porches which had finished just 12 seconds in front.
Top 4 were as follows
Clive King 25th O/A 1st Mini 47.51
Adrian Kermode 32nd O/A 2nd Mini 50.16
Shane Gamble 33rd O/A 3rd Mini 50.27
Jim Brindle 34 O/A 4th Mini 50.27
Shane had lost the clutch on the last stage and dropped from 2nd to 3rd on a tie break with Jim. Only two Minis failed to finish one with engine the other Bruce Mills rolled on the last but one stage.
The organisers of this event put on a great rally and every one enjoyed themselves, Thanks must go to Anton Bird for not putting a pace note wrong all day which helped tremendously.
No comments:
Post a Comment