MX5sRUs

This was to be the big test, our first proper lanes rally. Longer sections, less pylons and more speed, surely the MX5sRus cars could prove their worth here? Roberts car had nearly completed its diet, loosing 100kg in the process and had its chassis stiffened in the process plus a little bit of tuning to get some extra horses liberated from under the bonnet! From the word go it was maximum attack, at the scenery! Punctures and off road excursions were the problems that blighted Roberts effort, but when it went well the times were right up with the leaders, very encouraging! I,on the other hand had a good day, coming away with 4th overall and a class win thanks, in part, to other peoples demise but also my co-driver Mr Stephen Mc Auley guiding me round the immovable obstacles!

Phil and Lynne again had a solid day out, proving once again how the cars can perform at the sharp end but be beginner friendly at the same time!

 

ALMC MVAT Bunny Run

24th April 2011

Easter Sunday saw the arrival of our third car.... After some looking and head scratching at prevoius events, Phil decided to forsake his love of sailboats and move to his wifes families chosen form of weekend entertainment, RALLYING!

Now normal rallyists relate easter to the Circuit of Ireland, but, we are involved in a much more affordable type, lanes rallies (more can be found out about these on a different section) and so it was off to the City North hotel we all headed for a well supported event run by the Aer Lingus Motor Club. Buoyed by the last event, and some more development work on the car, Robert was determined to make an impression on the top of the leaderboard. It started well, but again loosing time in a field trial, cost any chance of a top result.

Phil on the other hand had a great debut, his newly sourced car didnt miss a beat all day, despite being a last minute preparation special! I think he'll probably agree that it was a pretty steeplearning curve for him and his wife Lynne...

Results here

http://www.almc.ie/cms/download/MVAT_Final_Results_2011.pdf

 

Punchestown MVAT

17th March 2011

A name synonymous with racing of a different type, this fantastic venue was to be our next event. With a mixture of fast gravel and tarmac tests we reckoned we would be in the hunt here! Robert was on it from the start.... A series of fastest times put him right up with the leaders before lunch, as for me I was taking chances in the wide open areas and learning about how much fun these cars really are! The afternoon got better for me, but Robert struggled a little in the ruts and had to settle for 4th Overall and another class win, and yours truly ended up 15th and 2nd in class... The time and effort was beginning to pay off. We were heading in the right direction, so much so, our efforts had caught the attention of a few people, competitors and spectators. Soon the MX5sRus team would become 3...

http://www.irishmotorracingclub.com/

The Derrick Walker Memorial Trial

5th Feb 2011

The MG car club (of which some members view our cars as spawn of the devil) run a great event in Feb starting in Delamont country park near Killyleagh. After some development work on tyres and brakes we thought we would be up to the challenge... It was not to be! A compromise set-up did not work on the Field trials and a lack of traction let us down, and a lack of memory for the long tests on my part! 13th overall and 1st in class for Robert and 26th and 5th in class for me.... Back to the drawing board and some serious R&D!

http://www.mgcculstercentre.org.uk/

IDNTBDR (It's definitely not The Boxing Day Rally)

29th Jan 2011

Or as it was this year, the delayed until the end of January 'Not the boxing day rally'

Normally held on Boxing Day, this event run by the UAC has changed its date frequently over the last few years to allow competitors to enjoy the festive spirits, yet still get out for a days motorsport in the holiday period. This year due to the heavy snowfall it was delayed until the end of January. And a good job is was too, as this was to be the debut event for the MX5sRus cars. With the heavy snowfall, came a delay in the cars arrival to the workshop plus the all important parts deemed necessary to compete. After a hectic week of preparation the 2 cars started the event, almost standard, out of the box if you like, and achieved 5th Overall/3rd in class and 18th Overall and 10th in class, in what was a challenging event for all.

http://www.ulsterautomobileclub.com/