Pembo- Report on 1st Event
Date: Friday, June 06, 2003 @ 12:41:51 BST
Author: audioc
Topic: Pembo's Rallying Antics in the quattro

First Install Enville Stages - Anglesey

May 31st & June 1st
Alan Pemberton & Andy Matthews - Audi 20 Valve Coupe quattro

First was going to be an important word for the event.
Why?


Despite many years of marshalling and helping to organise events, several years of competing in Road Rallies as driver and navigator (but never at the same time!) and navigating on stages events including a closed public road rally in Belgium, this was going to be my first ever Stage Rally as a driver and therefore the first time out competitively in the recently acquired Dave Askem prepared Audi 20 Valve Coupe quattro.
The firsts continue as this was the first time at the Anglesey Circuit and the first time with Andy Matthews navigating for me.

Some of you may have read that I was to have Sheila Matthews navigating for me but the operation failed and the goatee beard was still in place. Andy had not navigated for over 3 years and the owners of the circuit had done quite a few alterations to the venue. One big change was reducing the run off area at the hairpin, which is at the end of a very long straight that was to test the best of the late brakers!

With the event being a two day affair, the team had decide to make sure the accommodation was comfortable. Andy Phillips had brought his mobile chateau and fellow competitors Steve and Keith Jones also formed our rally village. Caravans, tents, gazebos, chairs, tables etc etc all set up we were off to noise.

This is my first time with the car and I had not had a noise test done prior to the event but was happy that it was no louder that other machines. Gareth at noise was an avid Audi 5 cylinder fan and he was spending so much time looking at the car and talking to us he almost forgot to check the car! Within the limits we were off to Scruiteneering, no problems here either, so all the work was time well spent. Off to signing on where Judith, Secretary of meeting, was there to welcome us. She had found out that I had printed some tee shirts for crew and service team and she wanted one. Ten minutes later she was complaining that it was see through!!!!! Just be thankful it wasn't too cold over the weekend!

The Friday evening was spent walking the venue adding notes to the stage diagrams noting the 'don't cuts', assessing essential braking points, crests and numerous tight 90's. All this done Andy then spent the next hour or so transferring the information to all of the stage diagrams whilst we drank beer.

We woke to a typical Anglesey microclimate. A very heavy sea mist/fog had decided to grace itself over the circuit and a fine rain was making tyre choice interesting for some crews. We were going to be brave and follow the tactics of car 12, a Subaru. Stick with moulded slicks was the choice. Into stage 1 and within 400 meters we were off stage 1 and all caught on camera. (Next Club video night!). The spin only cost us a few second and it was only pride that was damaged and my navigators confidence in me! Stage 1 completed and ready for stage 2 a repeat of stage 1 and it was still damp! So we decided to visit the grass and test the Quattro 4WD out. It was fine and no spin.

I had been trying to secure a sponsorship deal with the local Audi Dealership on Anglesey but they had refused. A local businessman contacted me and had agreed to support us. KPM Accident Repair Centre (Yes I know I may need them) had agreed to pay for a set of Dunlop tyres. After Stage 4 we changed to Dunlop CR311 soft compound (06) on the rear and hard (08) on the front. Well Stage 5 was as if the whole car had been transformed. Total confidence into and through the bends, what a diffence...... we never looked back.

We were growing in confidence after every stage and during the Sunday we took 30 second out of the car in front being given the same finish time as the car that started 30 second in front, to the disbelief of the finish marshals. The next stage we caught and passed the car which put us ahead of them on the road. Next target was an Avenger. We were now taking 20 seconds out of them each stage. We were reported as 'flying'.

After a very cautious start, we were a lowly 53rd after the first two stages. We finished 32nd overall and 7th in class (Class D Over 2000 and 4WD) against some expensive and quick machines.

I am looking forward to our next outing with the car which will be the same venue on August 16 & 17 and this time Sheila will be navigating.

Thanks to

KPM Accident Repair Centre, Moseley Road, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6PD Tel: 0161 256 2675

Audi Owners Club

Audifans.net

The event organisers and marshals.

Further links:
Event Image Gallery

Pembo's Gallery

Next Event is planned for the same Venue in August

Interested Parties in sponsoring Pembo's revival need to contact him directly.

This article comes from Audifans.net
http://www.audifans.net

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