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What Pat said ....
What a great day. The sun was shining , but the day before it was blinkin
freezing and wet. We got there about 4.30 after some horrendous traffic,
so got the Gas Gas out of the truck and set off round Sweet lamb to
set up the stages how i wanted them, the Bowl area was a bit rough,
but used the best bits, and it worked ok.
Big
thanks to Lee Jones [and Andy] plus Con & Chris Bayliss for the
help in setting up, this all made it a whole lot quicker than normal
and the stages were 95% there by 7.40 so a drink and a chat , while
Conor took Barney off on a recce of the stages for photo opportunities,
they were a while as the 1400 drowned out in the ford, lost the number
plate [thanks Darky for finding it].
Meanwhile all & sundry were being nagged into playing the 205 Challenge
Swingball tounament, which saw Paul Dark retire for a fag after a couple
of games, while Chris Bayliss and Warren Fairbairn showed the signs
of a misspent childhood with their skills on the trial bike.
Ella Flynn - Swingball Star!
We then all went to the Glansevern arms, the poor bloke nearly died
as 25 people came down to join the Jones clan already there,after a
24 drink round, [which took 10 mins serving so many]when we ordered
the 2nd round with a 'Same again please mate' the landlords face was
priceless.
Sunday was classic test day weather, Hot & Dusty, Martin Rowe arrived
early as did Cliff Simmons, so a chat with them and Mark Mason &
Neil Bye meant we were all running.
After a briefing the crews all were convoyed around the stages by Team
Leaders, Warren Fairbairn, Justin Fowler-Bishop, Ian Winstanley &
Chris Bayliss, [Thanks guys]. then off we went, with some more late
arrivals slotted in, the test was on, Ben Calvert managed to shed his
Rear bumper right in front of official photographer Carol, while Barney
took in the top stage, Si Clarke took on the look of a coal miner such
was the dust.
With myself and Ex World Champion Martin Rowe jumping in and out of
cars offering tuition, Eliot Retallick[2002 205 Challenge champion]
was instructing in the 1400s.
The Codrivers were doing 1 to 1 tuition while PR specialist Melissa
Rutter showed the guys how to write press releases and offered tips
on presenting skills and even took them down Neuro Linguistic programming!!!
Somehow Martin Rowe managed the tuition on the bowl tests and i landed
the fast big stage, i sat with over 20 drivers, [didnot manage to sit
with Conor though] and was very impressed, the standard is so high this
year.
Stanny
was awesome as were Rob Wilson, JFB, Ed Robinson, however there are
loads of other quick boys, Will Parry was quick engine OK now too, while
Steve Hancke was silky smooth, very impressive, David Bramwell-King
scared me last year, this year he was superb!!!
Andy Fox will be very rapid in the BMW, Paul Dark and Craig Golder excellent,
plus young Matt Giles from WMMS. Warren was unbelievable in the BMW,
wicked, while Si Hawthorns Escort was superb and driven so well, while
Andy Gwynne hurled the Corsa around with a big grin on his face, that
man can drive!!!
From outside, lee Jones and Tom Jones both looked impressive, as was
Chris Bayliss. Plus the TI guys, Mike Rhodes looked very good, young
Paul Smith impressed Martin Rowe as did Jonah Nuttgens who Martin said
had great lines!! Keith Pitcher looked good as did fellow BMW newbie,
Steve Long.
The Whole day was great, thanks for making it a pleasure for me guys,
Huge thanks to Liz, Con Ella, Martin Rowe, Cliff Simmons, Mark Mason,
Neil Bye & Melissa. Huge thanks to Barney , Carol and Si Clarke,
cant wait to see the rest of the pics, did you get any of Martin on
the trial bike???
Plus thanks to Jon [land owner] Stanny, Chris, Warren & Justin for
team leading, thanks Prynny for getting the 1400 ready for Flynn JNR.
Plus THANK YOU ALL for making it a fun day!!
Prizes went to many with Hankook goody bags, plus 205 Challenge shirts
being handed out, plus Nippers and Dylan got some baby goodies from
the challenge, [embroidered with team names of course].
Great
craic afterwards in the Blubell Pub, good to see the Stevensons, Sartains,
Foxes, Nippers, Prynny, Martin, Eliot, Mike, etc etc.
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A flying 1400 205
Image © Digital
Motorsport
Sweet Lamb watersplash will test preparation to the full
Image © Digital
Motorsport
Good, clean fun in a 1600 205
Image © Digital
Motorsport
What
others said ....
(all comments taken from the official 205 & RWD Challenge Forum)
"Great
day out and great weather for the 3rd year in a row, how does Pat manage
that? Thanks to Pat and everyone else for organising the day, plenty
of people seemed to be trying hard and enjoying themselves."
Simon Clarke - Official Challenge Photogrpher
"Big thanks to Pat and family for organisng a great day out. It
was brilliant, i think there was about every type of stage we will experience
available - rough, smooth, ruts, fast/medium/slow corners, so it was
a massive confidence booster. See you all in a couple of weeks at Mid
Wales"
Ed Robinson - 205 Challenge
"Many thanks to everybody who organised and gave us so much advice
at the test day. Liza and i where very nervous before yesterday,but
with all your help and advice we now feel a lot happier."
Andrew Fox - RWD Challenge
"Huge thanks to pat and team for a fantastic day. This was the
first time out for me, first time on gravel, first time in car only
bought on friday. WHAT A DAY!"
Chris Hooper - 205 Challenge
"Pat
and Liz - thanks a million for a great day. It was Wendy and my first
ever outing in a rally car and we had only picked our BMW up the night
before so we were pretty nervous. The advice and friendliness of everyone
involved really put our minds at rest. A big thanks to everyone who
gave advice during the day. Thanks to Melissa for her PR advice, Colin
from BRS for having a look at the water loss problem on the car, Warren
for an outstanding passenger ride which really put things into perspective
and also Mark for advice in the pub afterwards. Bring
on Mid Wales!"
Steve Long - RWD Challenge
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