Paul and Ian out in the MK1 Escort, Jack and Miles out in the MK2 Escort.
Like many parts of the UK we'd experienced huge amounts of rain leading up to the event. So we knew a challenge lay ahead.
Sure enough the weather forecast was wrong and we all got soaked setting up service in the dark miserable early morning!
But that soon faded away when we got busy on the finishing touches before the cars left service for stage 1.
Phone service in the middle of Dalby / Cropton Forest is obviously poor, but somehow we managed to get a little signal and amazingly so did some of our friends who were Marshalling on the event. This made the 'cars through stage' messages very comforting. (Big thanks to Mark especially for updates all day)
1st service and both cars returned very muddy, but in one piece. Fab!
Quick spanner check, wheels changed, grease gun out and the lack of windscreen washers sorted on MK1. (Bad connections on pump) and off for round 2.
A load of us jumped in a couple of chase cars and managed to get up onto a stage before the cars came through. Both going well.
We then continued to watch most of the field come through as our job in service had been done. We we're only required if a disaster presented itself.
Thankfully all kept shiny side up.
So back in service around 4pm and 4 smiley faces arrived after a fantastic drive. Job done!! Relief. We'd made it!!
Jack & Miles returned home a fantastic 30th O/A (Jack on his first ever forest event) and Paul & Ian returned 41st O/A. so out of an entry of 130 cars I think we held our own..
As I said when i started this post. I really dont know where to start with thankyou messages. But to name just a few.....
Sam, Jordan, Little Jack, Dizz & Marcus for service and car preparation. Jack & Rich @ Motoscope Northallerton. Claire for catering.
Miles and Ian for sitting in the silly seats.
The fantastic group of Marshalls. Especially those who kept the updates coming throughout the day. You know who you are!
The film crew, who dispite the terrible weather I'm informed got some really good material.
Dispite getting there 4x4 stuck in a ditch.... you're never going to live that down! (Look out for that in a future #Bangersandcash episode) and finally everyone who sent some lovely messages both before and after the event.
Both cars are going to the NEC this weekend, still covered in Yorkshire mud, and will be on display. Rally Stand 680 in Hall 4. Please call past have a photo and say hello.
