Oh dear is that a crack? – preparation for the BajaGB

Just when i was beginning to feel a bit smug that we hadn’t done too
much damage on this year’s Scottish Perthshire Hillrally, I found a whacking
great crack in the transfer box casing.  Unfortunately this means that
we are now into removing rebuilding into new casing and refitting the
box on top of all the usual pre-event service items.

I hope we’ve not done any lasting damage to the internals, because
being modified lower ratio gear and chain I won’t be able to source
new ones in time for the BajaGB.  Besides I was hoping just to fit everything into the spare casing that I have in the garage.

Andrew is coming down in the week to help me whip the box out so
hopefully we can get it sorted by the end of the week.

The damage we’ve found so far from the Scottish.

Inverted anti roll bar rear. Flattened mounts
3 bent wheels
Steering box needing adjustment
More dented rear shocks

Oh dear is that a crack, originally uploaded by friesian_racing.

Scottish Hillrally – full results

The results in full – http://www.flyingfinish.co.uk

Friesian Racing’s times –

http://www.flyingfinish.co.uk/2007/events/000009/internet/com028.php

Scottish Hillrally – press release

Photo: M&J Brinkman 

Oxfordshire herd triumph in Scotland

17^th July 2007 

Middleton Stoney based racing team – Friesian Racing (so called because of their distinctive cow-like livery) have returned from the gruelling Scottish Perthshire Hillrally with a second place in the Super Production class with their Land Rover Discovery, ‘MuddyMoo’.

Although the team are treating the 2007 season as a development year, driver Henry Webster was thrilled to have placed so well in his first event of the year:  “The Scottish is the hardest round in the year so to come back from a long winter in the workshop to do so well is great news.”

“This event was really intended as a shakedown for the Baja GB in August, so the position and the championship points are a bonus, the really good thing is that the car is better than ever.”

Friesian Racing have secured the assistance of local Abingdon based firm Allmakes 4×4 for the 2007 season, an association that is already paying off; “On an event as hard on the vehicle as the Scottish Hillrally we rely on the best quality components – Allmakes commitment to quality has helped us get through the event with no mechanical problems.”

The event was not without drama for the Friesian Racing herd, the wet conditions meant that the already tough Perthshire moorland terrain was even more difficult than ever.  Mud and bogs, wet grass and rocky hill climbs conspired to make this year’s event one of the hardest ever, to even reach the finish was an achievement.  Chipping Norton’s Ray and Vonnie Kempster (Milner R4 ProTruck) were just one crew who didn’t make it to the end.

Henry Webster with co-driver Sarah Suter (Chepstow) on one occasion found their route barred by a closed gate – with no option but to hit it, the gate bounced out of the way with little damage to either party! 

[Ends]

Scottish Hillrally video

Thanks to Sarah for pointing this out, found on YouTube – thought I would share it!

Muddy hell we’re home!

Wow, what a weekend – I’m afraid I’m too shattered to write a full update on the event tonight, but as a quick taster, we have just arived back clutching our second in class trophies and pleased to be place 17th overall. 

The gruelling event has proven that the work that we have put into the car over the winter has been well worth the effort.  The result doesn’t really do justice to how well we did over the course of the weekend.  If it wasn’t for a few frustrating issues (most out of our control) we would have been placed  much higher.   We have shown once again that we have the pace to seriously challenge for the honours, so roll on BajaGB where we hope to pull out the stops for a good result!

Must just say a HUGE thank you to all the Friesian Racing crew for their fantastic support and hard work, both in the weeks and months leading up to the event and during the event itself.  Thanks; Sue, Andrew, Dave and Joel – co-driver Sarah, husband and rival Richard, my parents Nigel and Ronnie and Willie MacRae for the photo!  Also again thanks to Allmakes for their fantastic support and to Dave Bellamy in particular for going the extra mile to get stuff to us and sort things out!