[Kevan]

Rally reports - 22nd December - TT Grandstand & Little Druidale - Christmas Rally Stages
 
Standard Class Rally was changed at last weeks AGM, gone are the 16 standard manufacturers classes, now we have five standard classes including a new Small Classic Class in line with ProStock and Open Classes.
…also the new race starting time is 7.30 which came in handy with the teething problems encountered.
 
A great turnout for Slot Rally for the time of year with 8  entrants and 32 cars.
 
The two groups were chosen at random:
Group 1 was Brian L, Geoff, Chris &, Andy
Group 2 was Ed, Mike B, Kev & Brian H
 
Group 2 chose to start on Little Druidale and the lap counter was set to 10 (with hindsight it should have been 7 laps).
 
Group 1 started a grandstand stage on Ballayorkley, two drivers, 8 laps (Red & Yellow), swap lanes and do the second run…but the program didn’t show the overall timing so that was abandoned…
 
With more goodies brought in to enjoy plus plenty of banter in the room and despite the early start it was a long night.
 
Brian H returned again for the second time in a few weeks, his driving style is well known…drive it like you stole it…probably appropriate with some of his cars tonight (he does like his 4WD).
 
Standard classes saw a new mix in two classes, the popular ‘Classic Class’ with two Ninco Jags against an SCX Abarth, whilst in ‘Modern 2WD’ we had Fly vs Scaley vs SCX…much more interesting.
 

• Andy’s best car was his Renault Megane (after ‘not being allowed’ to run a 1967 Mustang in ‘Modern 2WD’) and had three other cars to contend with in Open Modern 2WD.  Another favourite was his Mitsubishi Evo in Open 4WD.
  
• Kev’s proxy car Jag XK120 on a 3D chassis went really well (after 100+ tyre polishing laps on Ballayorkley).  The Nissan Skyline had plenty of competition in ProStock 2WD whilst the RS1800 with headlights blazing was the sole Standard Small Classic.
  
• Brian L’s re-motored Renault Megane has seemingly been greatly improved by making it ‘slower’ when in fact it’s ‘quicker’ because he can push it harder.  It was also great to see the Abarth 131 back on the road in Standard Classic separating the two Ninco Jags. Meanwhile the Peugeot 208 was only a second off top spot in ProStock 4WD.
  
• Geoff rallied an interesting car, a Scaley Aston Martin DBR9, it was only his third best car but finished 2nd in class.  SCX made a version also, a big car that can get stuck on TT Grandstands tight corner hay bales.  Of course it goes without saying his XK120 also made an appearance.
  
• Mike B favoured ProStock 2WD tonight, the Ferrari 430 was a good choice, it’s a great runner with everything a good Rally car needs…including too much horsepower.  His NSR Porsche is nearly always seen on Rally night, a previous class winner in ProStock 2WD is tough to catch.
  
• Ed’s Merc 190 looks easily his most comfortable car on the Rally stages and was his best performing car tonight.  Lead under the chassis is a hindrance on Little Druidale’s climb, the RS Cosworth see-sawing at the top of the hill…but it’s a lovely smooth runner.
  
• Chris had a class win in Open Small Classic with his Alpine A110S whilst his Revo Toyota Supra was his quickest car overall.  The Honda Civic was only three seconds off a podium spot a fraction behind Brian’s Renault and Geoff’s Peugeot 208 for the closest group in all classes.
  
• Brian H, another Revo Toyota Supra, also his best overall car, stayed within two seconds of Chris on Little Druidale.  With two of three entries in ProStock 4WD and another in Standard Modern 4WD it’s safe to say he likes his 4x4’s.
  

 
Class winners - Kev, Ed, Mike B, Brian H, Chris & Andy

   
   
   

Plus the comparison chart so you can see the overall picture....

   
 
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Next week we’re racing Grand Prix & Prewing plus Classic F1 and F1…if enough people want to turn up…Christmas jumpers please.
 
Have a great Christmas everyone, don’t eat too much and bring those new cars in next year.