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Scottish misery for duo
STAXTON co-driver Miles Cartwright and Driffield's Andrew Frost made a last-minute decision to take part in the Scottish Rally.
Following a change to the cars competing in their class which meant the local crew moved to the top in their Ford Escort Mexico, the duo decided to head North to try and consolidate their lead in Class C2 in the Northern Historic Rally Championship.
Based in the South West Scottish town of Dumfries, the rally offered six classic forestry stages totalling nearly 50 miles, including Twiglees, Ae, and Castle O'Er.
The conditions the crews faced were hot and dusty, and Frost/Cartwright soon caught the car in front on the first stage, which meant having to complete the last four miles driving virtually blind, and costing at least a minute and a half in lost time.
It was agreed that the local crew could go in front for the rest of the rally, and the duo then set about trying to recover the lost time.
“The car was running faultlessly,” said Cartwright, “Until four miles from the end of the penultimate stage when the car suddenly dropped on to two cylinders.
“We managed to struggle the car to the end of the stage, and met up with our service crew. Despite their efforts, and the help of some other mechanics from other teams, we were unable to fix the problem.
“Although the car would still run, we decided that because we were not sure what the exact cause of the problem was, we could cause major engine damage if we continued. Both of us were really disappointed because we were leading the class, and about to move into seventh place when the problem occured.
“However, one thing shone through, the fact that other team’s mechanics all tried to help us fix the problem.
“Historic Rallying is just how it used to be back in the '70's where we all helped each other out wherever possible.
“The event was won by another local crew Steve Magson and Geoff Atkinson of Pickering in an Opel Ascona 400.”
The teamis competing in the Armstrong Massey Stages at Driffield Airfield tomorrow.
Although they normally compete in a Ford, this event sees them out in a historic Vauxhall Chevette HSR.
“The car actually belongs to Andrew’s wife Samantha, but she is competing in a Peugeot 205 as part of her prize for winning Lady Quest, Silverstone rally school’s competition to find a lady rally driver which she won in 2008, so we will be in competition with her”, said Cartwright, “So we are just giving her car a run round.”
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
