Roger Albert Clark

[cast iron]

The RAC kicks off this Friday from Harrogate showground. It includes the classic Dalby stages (oooh the Woodyard) I will be marshalling at Croft which is 4:30 on Saturday and 3:15 on Monday.

Sideways - Cant wait

[slippy]

We'll be there Mark, what day is Dalby

[Rob Navin]

I'm in Scotland working other wise I would have gone.

Cant even escape to go and watch them through Ae.

[a4gom]

basic map

route details n times

website

[slippy]

basic map

route details n times

website

You forgot the 'DO A SEARCH' bit

Cheers mate  

[a4gom]

No worries, just happened to have it open at the time looking at the entry list and Saturdays times.

Possibly see you out and about.

[stickymint]

Brings back the memories............

Think I will go up to Dalby for old times sake, years ago since I did it!

Looks like there are some 'old' names doing it and the cars are still pretty quick.  I 'll never forget the first time the Lancia Stratos came, you could hear them coming 10 minutes before you saw them!!!!!

[windy]

I'm going

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

And it looks like Jimmy McRae is a last minute entry in a MK2 Escort  

[cast iron]

And it looks like Jimmy McRae is a last minute entry in a MK2 Escort  

would that be son Colins car by any chance? would make a change wouldnt it..... "Son can I borrow the car to pop down the shops"  

I notice Roger Kilty former sprint champion is out in an HSR  

[Paul Hurdsfield - Joint Manchester AO]

No its newly built by Prepfab and will run in Stobart colours

[fatbaldbloke]

Crikey, does that bring back some memories, quite emotional.  When I first started work at Vauxhall Motors in the 70's the VX motor club provided a coach-full of marshalls every year, and as an impoverished student I always volunteered with my girlfriend (later wife) as it meant we got in for free.  Of course, we had to stand by the side of a bit of road from about 2 hours before the event until the last straggler had gone through, freezing cold and dying for a pee.  I can't recall all the details but I can remember the image of the very first time I saw a serious rally car as if it were yesterday.  It would have been 75 or 76 and I think possibly Sutton Park, but irrelevant really.  We were posted to marshall on the outside of a bend just beyond the brow of a hill on an early tarmac stage.  There was the usual array of course cars, all trying quite hard, and these were exciting as we had never seen any motorsport up close and loud before.  Then the stage started for real, an engine note higher, faster and louder than anything that had preceeded it, and yer man, RAC himself in the Cossak Escort, running at number 1 flew, and I mean flew, over the brow of the hill apparently totally out of control and heading straight at us.  We leaped backwards, he landed on the road at the start of the corner, a quick flick of the tail, lightning change of direction and roared off into the rest of the stage.  Later on, over the years, we saw the Stratos, Pennti Airikala in the HSR, the magnificent Audi's, but the memory of that first flying Escort will always be unique.  A great man and a fantastic driver, so pleased his image lives on with this rally.

[oioi]

my mates doing it again this year.  Car no.11 yellow rs2000.  he was doing quite well last year until he rolled it.

keep your eyes peeled for him

[slippy]

Any recomendations on which stages to take in gents ?

[stickymint]

Dalby is always a good stage, especially if the are using the woodyard.  I can remember it from the co drivers seat ( used to compete on this event in the late 80's - Mk 11 Escort & Opel Manta 400 ). If using the woodyard cars visit it twice.

A large number of spectators gather, great atmosphere, also a little further along is Mikola's bend, a deceptive tightening right hander after a long blast down one of the long straights.

I think Croft is fairly local for you, different lines from a Westfield, but loads of comitment and plenty of opposite lock!!