Flying Scotsman

Day 2 and we are off through the North York moors to Darlington. Lincolnshire all a bit dull but the trails are going really well. A run round Fulbeck cart track with a target time of 1:10 we managed in 1:38. The map reading and Time Controls test in the Time Controls test in Yorkshire went really well, dropping 1 minute and then lunch at Eden camp, a second world war camp built by Italians. Not perhaps the most appropriate place to stop for our German competitors! The Regularity test at Rievaulx Abbey was a disaster but not only for us. Having to do three things at once proved too much for James and we missed two turns and cocked up the timing completely. We were all over the place but learnt an important lesson – these tests require preparation and we as usual had done absolutely none! The route took us through a huge ford at Caydale Mill. We completed the test which was more than the Fraser Nash did. Hitting a T junction at speed after the ford its brakes failed and it went straight through a stone wall and down a very steep hill. Driver and co-driver abandoned ship and survived to compete another day!

 

Onto Helmesly where Rex was waiting by the check point. Sadly no time to stop for a chat but I hope that he enjoyed a glimpse of James on the way through. Then on through the North York moors keeping up with a Riley which was going so well. We still had a chance at getting to the final check point on time if we could fill up with petrol. Of course the Esso garage at Scots Corner is in pieces and it took nearly 20 minutes to fill up with petrol.

 

The disaster struck! On the A1 about 8 miles from the end of day 2 we lost all compression and slipped quietly onto the hard shoulder. I knew it was a disaster and so it proved. The RAc turned up and had a look seeing pieces on metal in the cylinders. The mechanics from the rally towed us to the hotel and we out of our first rally.

 

Worryingly the car gets shipped to China at the beginning of June so it doesn’t leave us long to get the car fixed. I am praying we can get whatever spares we need and that Roy and his team can turn their attention to the car quickly. Tomorrow we need to get the car home. Tonight we will drown our sorrows!

 

RHC