Rallying Diary
Steve
Jenkins |
Mark
Vaughan |
Previous
to joining together with Mark, Steve had co-driven for several years
in the Cotswold Tarmac Rally Series and competed on the Millennium rally,
before swapping to the drivers seat in the 106 and competing on the
Wyedean in 2004 for the first time. |
Previous
to joining up with Steve, Mark had competed in various motor sports,
ranging from navigating in road rallies and competing in the Cotswold
Tarmac Rally Series, before swapping seats and doing the Cotswold Road
Sport Championship, BTRDA Production Car Trials, Auto testing and various
Sprinting / Solo events!! Swapped seats again in 2004 to go into the forest on the Wyedean and several events through the year. |
| 2005 | |
| Wyedean Stages February |
First
get together of Steve and Mark. This is our local rally, and was completed
in the old Peugeot 106 1.3 Rallye. We had a trouble free run in the car
and sealed the deal for the rest of the year and beyond. First time Steve
used pace notes on an event. Lots of practice on the Play Station! We
also won the 'Hairs and Graces' cup on our first outing....
Start No 246 - 5th in class and 118th overall. |
| Somerset Stages April |
Again
the Peugeot rolled its wheels into action and proved to be one of the
roughest events that we competed in during 2005. Apart from the rain,
fog and misty windows, a good run was had. Start
No 241 - 6th in class and 72nd overall. |
| Woodpecker Rally September |
The
best run of the year, as we both got more confident together. A few
hold up's, and a drive shaft failure at the end, but we got the finish
and both enjoyed the event, despite the near disaster! Door handle in
the dirt!
Start
No 234 - 4th in class and 104th overall. |
| 2006 | |
| Wyedean Stages February |
A new
year and a new car. Not the Saxo, but a hired Rover MG ZR. A step up from
last year with more speed and power, but coped with admirably by Steve.
Problems at the end of rally with power loss, but happy with result.
Start No 254 - 3rd
in class and 121st overall |
| Somerset Stages April |
Much anticipated first outing of the new Saxo. Retired after stage 3 with suspension problems when the car 'swapped ends' while on the limiter in 4th gear. Not pleasant. Car proved to be 90% there, even if the car was only finished the day before event. |
| Emcos Stages May |
A few
changes to set up, proved to sort major handling problems, but still not
correct on the rear. An excellent run saw us open a few eyes as to the
performance of the car. A top 15 stage time as well despite the conditions.
Start No
42 - 3rd in class and 28th overall. |
| Dukeries Rally June |
One of the hottest rallies any of us have competed in. This caused a major head gasket failure, but not after setting some competitive stage times against the others in the class. |
| Quinton Stages July |
More suspension changes proved to be the right way to go. Clutch failure of the brand new unit didn't sit well with any of the team. |
| Woodpecker Rally September |
First
outing under the SM Rallying banner, and an excellent run lifted the spirits
of the team, and much needed confidence in the car. Very rough stages
on second run through. Time to start pushing for better finish positions.
Start No 257 - 10th
in class and 120th overall |
| 2007 | |
| Wyedean Stages February |
A first
outing for the Saxo on our local event turned out to be hard work as overnight
snow gave us no grip, caused a few spins and 5 minutes stuck in a ditch.
Final stage showed the potential of the car, but overall disappointed
with our result. We did win the 'Hairs and Graces Cup' though!!! Start No 249 - 16th in class and 113th overall |
| Somerset Stages April |
The car
and team performed perfectly, with no problems on this dry, hot and dusty
event. The 2 tarmac Porlock stages, gave the Saxo chance to stretch its
legs to good effect. 2 second quickest B8 times. Start No 226 - 4th in class and 53rd overall - Won BTRDA class |
| Red Dragon Rally May |
Yet again,
a great team effort has resulted in a good finish on classic Welsh stages.
A small incident with a hay bale resulted in a 'love tap', but its only
cosmetically damaged. Start No 223 - 3rd in class and 71st overall |
| Dukeries Rally June |
After
the disappointment of last year, we hoped for a good rally and got one. After all of the rain and floods, the stages were slippery to say the least, and after loosing loads of time on stage 1, we spent all day catching up. A few small problems were fixed swiftly at service, and we went home happy that one more event was ticked of our 'to do' list. Start No 226 - 7th in class and 77th overall |
| Quinton Rally July |
The car
ran faultlessly, bar an intercom failure on stage 3 meant shouts and hand
signals for the rest of the rally. Good runs through the stages, apart
from people jumping out in front of us! A small off on stage 7, but no
time lost. Best event so far this year...... Start N0 231 - 2nd in class and 68th overall |
| Woodpecker Rally September |
The car
again ran faultlessly, but a slow start to check the gearbox lost us some
time. Held up stage 6 by a crashed car, and took a post and arrow out,
but the anniversary trip of SM Rallying team proved successful. Start No 236 - 3rd in class and 89th overall |
| 2008 | |
Wyedean Stages February |
What an event to start the year. Dry and sunny weather meant that the stages were great. The change of tyres proved a massive step and the car was on the pace from the start. Start No 235 - 2nd in class and 70th overall |
Somerset Stages April |
What an event. Problems from Friday eve right through. Electrical kill switch finally stopped play on stage 7, but not after setting 2 fastest class stage times, even with an off on stage 3. Start No 222 - Electrical Failure - DNF |
Dukeries Rally June |
The fastest event the car has ever done! Flat in 5th down the straights caused a few hairy moments, and the roughness of the stages took its toll. Dropped from 2nd in class to 5th after a spin, and a straight on. The fuel pump failed on stage 8, so game over Start No 220 - Fuel Pump Failure - DNF |
Woodpecker Rally August |
We had a slight incedent on stage 1 resulting in lost time, and in an effort to catch up, we made a slight error and landed upside down. The car is a write off, but now the rebuild process begins Start No 219 - Accident - DNF |