windy Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Just had a day great day sat in Francois Duval's WRC testing in the forests of Wales at Walter's arena. Never thought this would happen but after cheekily asking Markko Martin to return the favour for letting him drive my Escort at the Autocar sideways challenge last year, I finally got my reward, a ride in a WRC Focus. In a word: Awesome This is one thing you must do before you die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Algar - Competition Secretary Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Looks like he drives it even more sideways than you do Windy Great to hear they came up trumps, so often the big companies "forget" And of course, how do the rest of us meer mortals get a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windy Posted September 20, 2004 Author Share Posted September 20, 2004 Nick, If you offer to sponsor me I'm sure I can sort something out for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Algar - Competition Secretary Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Nice new plastic con-rods and pistons coming up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Westy Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 At least they won't push through the block when they break Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee_fin Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Awesome Green with envy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studbuckle Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Cooooooooooooooooooooooool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Keene Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Holy Sheet... Doctor, Doctor, why have I turned green??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bananaman Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Are we now thinking of an upgrade ..... To CF wipe clean undercrackers...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windy Posted September 21, 2004 Author Share Posted September 21, 2004 It was a strange experience to be going flat out and feel safe at the same time. Normally I'm a very bad passenger, but I felt totally relaxed. Initially I couldn't understand how the navigator knows where he is on the stages when he's unable to see the road clearly ahead. You sit so low in the car to get the COG down that the bottom of the windscreen is at eye level. I was told by one of the mechanics later that the navi relies mainly on the trip meter fixed to the floor by his feet which gives the distances he refers to in the notes. No need to see where he's going then! I was asking about how they prepare the shells because when you get to look at the car close you get to appreciate how much work is involved. When they get them delivered from Ford the car gets stripped of its roof, wings and rear quarter panels & then the cage is put in. The wings get replaced with paper thin steel items for weight, the rear quarters are put back with much thicker steel for strength, then once the cage is in the roof goes back on again. 1200 hours goes into a primered shell with the cage in. The fabricator that does them has made 17 shells so far this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Keene Posted September 22, 2004 Share Posted September 22, 2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilwillis Posted September 22, 2004 Share Posted September 22, 2004 Article for WW coming soon then windy? Sounds like just the thing Pete is looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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