This event was another 2 car team event and Dave and I teamed up with Steve Burton as my winchman and Allan worked with Dave. We met up on the Saturday at Strathearn to start the 200mile trip to Co. Durham. We were trailer both cars down for me to save fuel and to allow us to go a little harder on the day. Oh and Dave had only had a couple of evening shakedown... We arraive at the campsite and got the trucks off the trailers. We changed my wheels (thanks Bob) and headed off to find a chippy. Well steering lock with the different tyres was not an option so we had the local police ask Dave if he was ok while I was struggling with a multi point turn in the middle of the road....oops.
We got to Drivers Briefing in the morning after scrutineering went smoothly and the format of the day seamed fairly simple. We were competing in the Modified class which means we have more than one traction aid per vehicle. ie 2 Winches and diff locks. There were 17 punches over 2 sites and 2 special stages. The punches were each worth 100 points per team and you lost 50 points every time you broke the tape marking the course. The 2 special stages were timed for both cars to get through and the fastest team got 500 points and 2nd got 490 and so on.
Our plan was to keep on the move as much as possible and also make sure we do both the special stages. This was the first time Dave and Allan had done a challenge event and the first time we had all worked together. We got on great and really understood each others vehicles and what we were capable of.
The stages were set out close enough together and were short enough that you could get through them quickly and move onto the next. The first Special we did was great. A short Trials section round a tree and back out again. I felt we did well but thought we could go quiker. The 2nd special we did was awesome. Driving over some very large tyes again timed for both of us to do it. Great. We got our time but we were the first to complete it so the marshall couldn't tell us if we were fast or not. I fealt we were quick and the results show we won that stage. 500 points in the bag.
The TFC was tough this was a fun event and although the stages were technical and a little tough at times they were fun and our whole team I think had a great time.
There were some really steep climbs and descents so front and rear winches were used. I think a rear winch is next on Dave's list of mods....
Haddington Woods was a great site and this was one of the best days off roading I have ever had. Thanks to the organisors Cheviot 4x4. They said there might be a few more events next year. Bring it on. Thanks to Dave for being keen prepping his truck and asking me to join him. Thanks to Steve and Allan for being winchmen. Thanks to Dave Alonzi for taking the pictures you see here.
Oh the results. Well WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!
Having Fun. Told You.
Dave's 3 week build. Well worth the evenings working on it. Nice one.
Some more pictures of the event can be found here.
