Slippy and Wobs finally conquer Otterburn ranges
After three weeks of hard graft the team finally got the car prepared for the 2009 Keith Knox Rally up on Otterburn Ranges, new Grp A Bilstein suspension was fitted along with a rear disc conversion and remote adjustable bias box from Alan at Protec and some super secret compound Mintex pads from Alan at Questmead
The team then took the car along to friends and kind sponsors Playskool Motorsport to be set up for ride height, toe and camber. The boys are more used to working on, how shall we say, higher end competition vehicles, but they got stuck in. Seeing the current British Sprint Champion and his master mechanic getting down and dirty with a rally car is testament to them so a massive thank you to Nick and Luke for their hard work, poor Luke even got oil on his face and was seen wealding an angle grinder at one point like a proper rally mechanic.
With Lord Sord and Funbobby kindly on service duty the team arrived bright and early Sunday morning to be greeted by heavy rain and howling winds, the rain made the the stages very slippery and full wets were the only tyre choice. Having completed the recce the day before Slippy and Wobs had made their own amendments to the notes and this seemed to work really well, Wobs was on top of his game barking out the notes in his own unique style in a perfect rythm which gave Slippy the confidence to push on. The crew were consistent all day and bar the wipers failing on a few stages the car ran faultlessly seeing the team achieving a pleasing 33rd O/A making all the effort, money and tme that went in to preperation for the rally worth while.
Thank you's must go to all of the above for their assistance, to Funbob and Lord Sord for their support the day and for braving some pretty nasty weather conditions, Jeff Cooper Car Sales for kindly taxing the car for the event, Gavin at GNW Photography for providing the picture above (More picures from the event on Gavins site) and finally to fellow competitor James Johns aka Fruitbat whom without his kind offer of giving the team a brake banjo bolt, after two days before the event mechanical genius Slippy snapped one in the rear caliper, the team would not have been abe to compete in the rally.
Click here for the incar footage
.jpg)
Smogsport's 'year out' lasted a grand total of three months.
After a change of circumstances forced the sale of the Smogsport 205 that achieved 3rd in class on this years Riponian Rally Slippy spotted a 1600 Nova GSI on eBay ready to rally and complete with spares. The car had been contesting events in and around Somerset for the last few years and has a impressive record of finishes and relibility for what is essentially a 'standard' car. Slippy contacted the cars owner and a deal was done to purchase the car and it's HUGE ! spares package the night before he went on holiday. On inspection the car seems nicely put together has some nice touches like triangulated weld in cage, upright hydraulic handbrake, poly windows, lamp pod etc
Slippy and Sparky2i set off for Somerset about 6:45 in the morning and 15 hours later returned home with car and spares in tow, Smogsports thanks to sponsors BTL Woodshed for providing a Mitsubishi L200 for the journey.
The initial 'test' of the car proved positive and an entry is already in for the UTS Cheviot Keith Knox Rally and a test day at Teesside Autodrome is booked on Friday the 9th of October to get used to driving the car in anger prior to Otterburn event, all SDMC members welcome to kick the tyres and have a chin wag.
Smogsport finally finished an event and in some style securing 3rd in class on last weekends Riponian Rally and to top it off it was their first gravel outing and in a brand new car. The day began with the usual early start and glorious sunshine, a stark contrast to a month earlier when the event was cancelled due to SNOW !!!. The plan was to begin steady and get a feel for the car and surface but after the first corner that was out the window and mid way through the first stage he car got sucked into a ditch and the crew just managed to get out and continue. More drama followed on stage two, Roppa ,when approaching the now infamous Youtube Haybale Junction the car ran wide and left the road but again the boys managed to get it back together and carried on posting a respectable time for the stage.
The day continued wth the crew determined to actually finish an event for a change so trying not to push to much (easier said than done). Lord Sord, Funbobby and Spikey Mikey were on chase duty and did the boys proud meeting them in auxillary service twice and main service at the lunch break giving the car a quick splash and dash they even managed to launch a couple of Mars Bars into the car on Helmsley High St, a welcome boost.
After 'lunch' the remainder of the stages saw the crew holding 3rd in class and getting increasingly nervous with every noise from the car and the possibility of a puncture but for once luck was on their side and the car crossed the line on the final stage much to Slippy's & Wobsey's delight and everybody elses relief.
Big thank you to the chase/service crews our best result yet and it wouldn't have been possible without them
More pictures HERE
Credit and thanks to Owen Morgan from Maximum Attack Rallying and Kev Money for allowing use of their pictures
Regular surfing of the internet and numerous phone calls/emails later finally saw an early start and the team heading off down to Wales to collect the new car, spares and tyres. The car is a 1600cc 205 Challenge car which the team will be using to contest the 2009 205 Challenge run by Pat Flynn, the championship will see the boys travelling the length and breadth of the country competing on mixed surface events (And hopefully not getting found out).The car has a proven history and was built/prepared by Challenge regular and 205 guru Tudor Jenkins but more importantly it's bright Orange much to Wob's annoyance and Slippy and Funbobs joy.
The 1600 Challenge cars are predominantly standard bar the ususal MSA safety features needed by all rally cars, a Quaiffe LSD/4:8 CWP and Kent Cam, for regs click HERE. Cars can be purchased/built starting at about £3,000 upwards and as a registered Challenge competitor you also benefit from discounts & tuition.
Visit the 205 FORUM for more information
Jan 4th 09: The team were down at Parkwood 4x4 centre on Sunday the 4th of Jan to shake the car down and get some seat time on gravel, Slippy must be going soft as he let both his dad (Big Boab) and his brother (Lord Sord) loose in the car resulting in Boab busting a rear brake line which unfortunately ended the day a little early but the car exceeded expectation performing far better than we could have hoped, good fun was had by all especially by Funbob the twisted fire starter.
Wobsey has bought a new camera: 15th of November
Wob's has purchased a Canon 450D SLR and as such has thrust himself forward as the official Smogsport event photographer. Smogsport (Well three of us anyway) were out spectating on the recent Roger Albert Clark rally at Ollies mount. The event was a cracker and the spectating first class, we spent most of the day at the top hair pin watching numerous MK1 and MK2 escorts getting sideways then blasting up the hill to the sound of BDA's and Millingtons.
Wobsey's pictures from the day available in our PICTURES SECTION
The Smogsport Clio is sold and the search for a 205 Challenge car begins : 9th November 2008
The team have decided to have a crack at the legendary budget series known as the 205 Challenge ran by Championship organiser Pat Flynn.
A number of factors brought about the decision but mainly as the Challenge offers a a level playing field for competitors on a budget, it provides a lot of support and advice to further drivers and co-drivers skills whilst offering impressive media coverage for sponsors and entrants alike.
The Challenge offers numerous classes but the team have decided that the 1600 class offers the greatest level of competition whilst still offering fun on a budget so with money in the bank the search is on.
See below for more information on the championship and it's values:
A Level Playing Field ...The success of the various 205 rally championships depends on the organizers ability to provide a low cost, level playing field where competitors can prove their talent. To make this possible, the organisers have chosen to exclusively utilise the rally-proven and cost-effective Peugeot 205 GTI. Modifications to these pocket rockets are strictly controlled in order to minimise the chance of cash rich competitors buying a performance advantage. The organisers also include a personal development program that offers each driver the opportunity to be trained by some of the most experienced and best-qualified experts.
The Competitors ... Most drivers start rallying at a local level often being introduced into the sport by older rally drivers who take them under their wings. Normally they will need to enter a championship where they can prove their talent.
This is where the 205 challenge fits in as it is the perfect formula for beginners or drivers who are looking to prove themselves but don't have the budget to waste or the experience to compete at a higher level. 1400 and 1600 Classes are unique in that they are run and organised professional rally drivers. Their mixture of experience and strong personalities lead to much debating but the challenge's core values are unequivocal! They are; to provide a championship where the less wealthy can join in with the rallying fun whilst competing on an equal level.
ITS ABOUT PEOPLE, NOT CARS
The championship is unique in that it is run and organised by two professional rally drivers Pat Flynn and Kev Furber, both ex-champions and outright winners of similar championships. Their mixture of experience and strong personalities leads to much debating but the challenge's core values are unequivocal!
They are to provide; a championship where the less wealthy can compete on an equal level, a championship that offers worthwhile media exposure, a notable prize fund that respects the people who compete in it, young or old.
Thanks to 205 Challenge web site for use of the banner and text
Smogsport retire on SS8 of the Pendragon Stages: 24th August 2008
Thanks to ianhardy.net for use of the photo
Smogsport crash out of the Tyneside Stages: 22nd June 2008
Smogsport finally tackle the legendary Otterburn Ranges taking part in the Alnwick and District Motor Clubs Tyneside Stages. The teams first time on 'proper' pace notes saw them starting cautiously on full wets due to torrential the rain the day before and rumours in service of a lot of standing water.
Wob's deserves a special mention for his performance on the notes, bar the odd mishap and a wrong turning on one of the road sections an excellent firtst attempt in the silly seat. Funbob was on service duty and was on a mission to set a new world record for the amount of junk food consumed inside three stages.
All was going well seeing Slippy and Wobs running 4th in class and 25th O/A till disaster struck toward the end of SS4 when a downhill hairpin left, which incidentally Wob's called spot on, caught Slippy out ending up with the Clio stuck in a peat bog rendering the crew helpless and in need of recovery (Thank you to the lads in the Landrover for dragging us out). Unfortunatley the off resulted in the team going OTL and out of the rally.
Incar footage of the 'Off' and other stages can be viewed Pics/Video Page
THE SMOGSPORT MINI IS SOLD
The Smogsport Mini is SOLD CLICK HERE for spec and CLICK HERE for pictures
Funbobby has said goodbye to the Smogsport Mini and took a baby in Part EX. Please not the trailer is still available please contact us for further details ad pictures.
HOWFORD HYDRAULIC STAGES: 19th of April 2008
Another early bath for Slippy and Big Al on the Howford Hydraulic Stages thanks to a broken drive shaft. Due to the nature of the event it is very hard on transmissions and as a result claimed a number of retirements on the day. Little consolation as the bad luck continues and just to top it off between Wobs and Slippy neither managed to set the camera away for any incar footage. The day started well and the first stage was a good blast seeing us post a respectable time in class.
Couple, sorry the only photo's of the day CLICK HERE
DDMC EASTER SPRINT CROFT CIRCUIT: 24th March 2008
Smogsport's latest venture was at Croft for the annual Easter Sprint. Funbobby and Wobs were taking the Smogsport Mini out for her first event since the new race/rally clutch install completed by Wobs himself and one of our local sponsors JRM Motor Engineers.
The weather was always going to be a factor on the day but for once we got a break and conditions were dry on the track although a tad cold. It was the mini's first event in dry conditions after a monsoon that were the Christmas Stages and Jack Frost Rally's. Wobs was himself was also cutting his teeth on his first event driving instead of sitting in the co drivers seat and although there were few claims of teaching Funbob a lesson (mostly delivered after a few John Smiths) there were a few nerves in the air. Once the event got underway nerves dissipated nd they got on with the job in hand. Early progress was evident as both drivers were challenging some bigger machinery lap time wise
The lads then went on to finish the day with Funbobby 1st in class and Wobsy second in class. So after a cold day for drivers and crew, Slippy and Spikey Mike (Wobsey's dad) it was nice to come away with a trophy.
NEWS 26th of Feb 2008: The Evening Gazzette Newspaper features images and their rallying exploits
Smogsport are contacted by Martin Neal, the Evening Gazzette newspaper's motorsport journalist, after he stumbled across the teams web site to ask if he could feature them in his weekly column. Click the logo to read the article
NORTHWEST STAGES: 16th of Feb 2008 Slippy and Big Al take an early bath on SS6 of the North West due to suspected issue with the Clio's diff !
The rally was once again based in Blackpool taking place on Saturday 16th February and was, as promised a tesing event with only 65 finishers out 120 entrants. The action was due to start early morning with the long promenade stage but unfortunately an accident saw the Prom stages cancelled, Our best wishes to the crew involved . So Slippy and Al headed for the brand new never rallied before venue that was up until the night before the rally a secret for security reasons. On arrival the stages at Hillhouse, an ICI owned site, were quite intimidating with a mix of loose gravel and super smooth super quick tarmac sections that circumnavigated a deep lagoon manned by rescue divers incase anybody went for a unscheduled dip.
.JPG)
The Clio was working well on it's recently purchased Pirelli RS7's, newly fitted discs and Mintex 1166 pads so after an entertainig few laps of the Hillhouse Stages the crew headed off to MOD land in the form of Weeton Camp, again the car was going well seeing Slippy and Big Al running 52nd O/A with a bit left in the tank till disaster struck and the car lost all drive rendering them helpless by the side of the stage. Due to the nature of the stage and the timings unfortunately they had to wait 4 hours till Funbob and Wob's could rescue them, however the wait was made bearable with Slippy and Big Al being fed sandwiches and Kit Kats through the fence, Big Al living up to his name prove he can certainly eat.
Videos of the event available in our Pics/Videos section.
Click Legends Fire logo's to visit the North Wests Stages official site for results and pictures
JACK FROST RALLY CROFT: 9th January 2008
After the events on the Christmas Stages Smogsport were again back at Croft for the Jack Frost Rally ran by the Darlington and District Motor Club. Only the Mini was in attendance on this event as the Clio was being prepared for the Legend Fires North West Stages in Blackpool. However Slippy and Mark Lowe as service crew, Big Al spectating with family, Funbob driving and Whitehouse in the Co Drivers seat the full team was in attendance.
Funbob & Wob's got off to a flying start on stages 1 and 2 gaining places until the issues with the clutch reared it's head again. Having shortened the push rod too much we thought it might be game over until after much deliberation Slippy, Mark and the legend that is Big Mac ingeniously carried out a repair by using small nut as a spacer to get us back out again!
The boys missed stages 3 and 4 while the 'repairs' were carried out so were given 2 stage maximums of 8 minutes in total and a re-start after lunch . So with the pressure off they got valuable time and experience in the car on only our second ever rally and by the end of the day finished 76th overall.
Our first ever finish - a nice feeling indeed !
SPECSAVERS CHRISTMAS STAGES CROFT: 29th December 2007
2007 Christmas Stages leave's the Clio battered and bruised: Slippy and Big Al where running a respectable 9th in class in what can only be described as horrendous conditions, unforunately a lack of spot lights and very slippy conditions saw the Clio hit a bale head on toward the end of the rally.
In car footage HERE