Hey everyone,
We done it, can you believe it?! I sat behind this very keyboard on my last blog stating that I had to win 13 stages out of 17, and thought to myself, this is going to be a tall order. But it was just one, or three rather, of those days where everything just clicks! It nearly made me more relaxed, as I knew that it wasn't really expected that we could pull of such a feat, but to me, anything is possible. I again, put massive preperation into the event, pulling out all the stops to ensure I would be in the best position possible to win. The recce, pre-event test, everything all went really smoothly, and as the event drew nearer, I was feeling more and more confident in what I was doing, perfect.
I'm not going to go too indept into the whole weekend, but from our first stage on Great Orme on Thursday evening, we just settled into this perfect rhythm, and it was one of the most surreal experiences of my life. We lost the first stage to Brendan Reeves by a second, but from there on, we were on a roll! By the end of the first proper leg, our stage wins were up to 9, and we were leading comfertably, all going to plan.
We started the last leg, with it all left to do, six stages and we needed four more, how hard could it be?! But we recieved a bitter blow on the first stage, when Egon was fastest, which now ment we had to win every stage to the finish! It was the most strangest feeling, the moment I realised that Egon had gone quicker, this calmness came over me, and I feel it was the biggest thing that helped me. I knew what I had to do, and there was only one stategy, flat out. We were quickest in Sweet Lamb which has always been a difficult one for me and again in Myherin, we were nearly there. Three stages to go, three stages between me and my childhood dream, I had to give it my all! We pushed to the limit in the first one out of service, perhaps even a little to hard, and were quickest by 18 seconds. Again in Sweet Lamb, quickest, leaving the final 28Km of Myherin to decide the series. We just pushed resonably hard, and tried not to think of the championship. We came to the end of the stage, and then the flow of emotion came over us. We had to wait a whole 11 minutes before Egons came to the finish. It was an agonising wait, but on the 11 minute, WRC TV's Julian Porter informed the crows, "22,1!" We had done it! What an amazing feeling, I don't think I could ever find the words to describe it. All our hard work and effort had finaly paid off, it was such a feeling of joy and elation, just incredible.
I couldn't believe that we had done it, after all the ups and downs during the season, we had proved that we had what it takes. And now, €500,000 better off thanks to the prizemoney, we have secured a season in the SWRC in 2012, perfect.
I hadn't any time to relax, as I was rushed off to Austria the following day for the FIA Institute Shootout in Melk. The week took in all the aspect of being a professional driver; fitness, media, pschology, driving etc.. I was honoured to be selected out of the 30 there to go into the final panel of 18, a very positive step in my career as a driver, and an athlete. It was also a proud moment for me, when on the last day I won the Race of Champions event, against some of the best racing drivers, in a race car, on a race track....a big hurdle for me!
So! A few days to relax before the exciting FIA Awards, this year in New Dehli, India. Can't wait to take the trip over and see a whole new part of the World for me, sould be very exciting! Then the first workshop of the FIA Institute in Edinborough, busy times ahead.
A little relax this weekend, Mel Harries Memorial Rally with Gareth in the 4 door Escort, can't wait!
All the best,
Craig
Friday 2 December 2011
Thursday 27 October 2011
Busy busy busy!
Hi all,
Okay, a series of ups and bitter downs this month, but still here with a smile!
We had Rally de France Alsace up first, and the penultimate round of the FIA WRC Academy. We were feeling really confident heading to the event. We put massive preparation into the event, ensuring no stone was left unturned, and I felt better than ever. Our recce was great, and the event started as a reflection of our preparation, perfect. We were a little slow on the first stage, bedding ourselves in, then from there, we put the hammer down. On the longest 35Km stage, we were quickest in the FIA WRC Academy by 23 seconds! We had a puncture on SS6 which knocked our lead back to 18 seconds, but by the end of the day we were back to a 24 second lead, perfect.
We had new brake pads fitted for Sunday morning, a routine operation, but there was to be a problem with the brakes on the first stage. The brakes were sticking on, and on the uphill sections the car was struggling badly, and I was sure I'd loose loads of time. I was a little surprised to learn that we only dropped 7 seconds to second place driver Yeray Lemes. So with the brakes fixed for the next one, we battled on. We settled into an excellent rhythm on the next one, and were quickest on the splits by a perfect margin, just a few seconds, all we needed to score stage win points. However it was all to no avail. On a very fast section downhill before a slow left hander, Gareth got a little out of time with his pacenote delivery and I couldn't slow the car in time by the time I heard the call, and we touched the bank on the outside. It was minimal damage, but we broke a driveshaft, game over. To be fair, Gareth has been a massive asset to my career to date, and the mistake he made could have happened to anyone. He's one of the best around, and was straight back to his great self the next time we were out. It was a bitter blow however, as to make matters worse championship leader Egon Kaur crashed also, and a maximum points score would have put us in prime position for the FIA WRC Academy Cup. However no time to dwell, we were off to IRC Rally Scotland and back in the Fiesta S2000.
It was my first gravel rally in the S2000 since Wales Rally GB last year, so it was wierd to be back in the car, floating around. We tested the car on Monday quite close to the stages of the rally, perfect. It all went really well, and we found a great setup to start the event. Recce again went really well and with typical British fashion, the weather was miserable. We had two stages on the Friday evening, both in darkness. We made a fantastic start, 7th quickest on SS1, and 2nd quickest on SS2, what a start! We were fourth overnight and were looking to take a cautious approach to the tricky Saturday stages. We still set some good stage times on Saturday, and only lost one place on the leader board, and ended the day 5th, 2 seconds off fourth place.
Sunday was our day to push, and I was ready for it! We started off with a 3rd place time on the opening stage, a great start to show our speed. However from there everything happened. Firstly, the exhaust manifold broke, causing the car to go seriously down on power. We were being chased hard by Czech Skoda driver Jan Kopecky, and we knew it was going to be difficult to keep ahead. 4th place was ours when Thierry Neuville hit trouble, so we knew all we had to do was get around. With only a remote service during the day, we knew we could do very little to aid our troubles, and when a rear diff fan broke, I really thought my rally was falling apart. But, we battled on, stage by stage we done enough to stay in front and got to the end in 4th overall and first privateer! We were thrilled, and we were further showing our speed at no better a time, I was so so happy.
A little (very little) gap to the next Rally in RACC Rally Spain, and back in the S2000 car again, and now part of the SWRC, no pressure! The rally had a new concept to me, mixed surface. Friday stages were based on gravel, with Saturday and Sunday ran on Asphalt. We tested on Monday near Vic on Asphalt, a really nice road and I felt confident that we had done enough to have a package to be competitive. Our recce was good, some long stages and mixed surface made it extremely difficult, but I was up for it. Starting on gravel I was little nervous considering we didn't get to test on the spanish gravel beforehand. However, we were on the pace, and with a fastest time on the second stage, we were within 0.5 seconds of the Rally leader Juho Hanninen. The afternoon was ok for us, the pace wasn't as quick, but we ended the day just 20 seconds off the lead and looking forwards to the monstor 46Km El Priorat stage on Asphalt the following morning. After trojan work by the boys (Thanks lads!) the car was converted to tarmac trim for Day 2.
We started the first stage, and planned to charge. However just 8Km in, we broke a rear driveshaft and were forced to drive the whole loop in front wheel drive, disaster. We got it fixed in service, but I was gutted we had lost close to 2 minutes, and we were back in fourth. In the afternoon, I struggled to find the speed I was looking for. However on the final stage, it started to come together, and I was hopeful to increase our pace on the last day.
The first stage on Sunday morning, the stage was ran in darkness. We had a really good run, and we were quickest in SWRC by some margin. Finally we had found the speed we were looking for, and I was confident there was more. We continued this pace for the rest of the day, and finished the rally 15th overall and 4th SWRC. I was disappointed that we couldn't fight for the victory after our issues, but still really pleased with our speed once again, we're going the right way finally!
Now, back to preparing for Wales Rally GB, the big one. A once in a lifetime opportunity to win a dream prize, and I'll do anything to get it. If we win and Egon finishes 2nd, we need to win 13 stages at least to get the win, so it's flat out! I'm really looking forward to it, there's no reason why we can't do it so bring it on!
Anyhow, off for a cycle!
Craig
Okay, a series of ups and bitter downs this month, but still here with a smile!
We had Rally de France Alsace up first, and the penultimate round of the FIA WRC Academy. We were feeling really confident heading to the event. We put massive preparation into the event, ensuring no stone was left unturned, and I felt better than ever. Our recce was great, and the event started as a reflection of our preparation, perfect. We were a little slow on the first stage, bedding ourselves in, then from there, we put the hammer down. On the longest 35Km stage, we were quickest in the FIA WRC Academy by 23 seconds! We had a puncture on SS6 which knocked our lead back to 18 seconds, but by the end of the day we were back to a 24 second lead, perfect.
We had new brake pads fitted for Sunday morning, a routine operation, but there was to be a problem with the brakes on the first stage. The brakes were sticking on, and on the uphill sections the car was struggling badly, and I was sure I'd loose loads of time. I was a little surprised to learn that we only dropped 7 seconds to second place driver Yeray Lemes. So with the brakes fixed for the next one, we battled on. We settled into an excellent rhythm on the next one, and were quickest on the splits by a perfect margin, just a few seconds, all we needed to score stage win points. However it was all to no avail. On a very fast section downhill before a slow left hander, Gareth got a little out of time with his pacenote delivery and I couldn't slow the car in time by the time I heard the call, and we touched the bank on the outside. It was minimal damage, but we broke a driveshaft, game over. To be fair, Gareth has been a massive asset to my career to date, and the mistake he made could have happened to anyone. He's one of the best around, and was straight back to his great self the next time we were out. It was a bitter blow however, as to make matters worse championship leader Egon Kaur crashed also, and a maximum points score would have put us in prime position for the FIA WRC Academy Cup. However no time to dwell, we were off to IRC Rally Scotland and back in the Fiesta S2000.
It was my first gravel rally in the S2000 since Wales Rally GB last year, so it was wierd to be back in the car, floating around. We tested the car on Monday quite close to the stages of the rally, perfect. It all went really well, and we found a great setup to start the event. Recce again went really well and with typical British fashion, the weather was miserable. We had two stages on the Friday evening, both in darkness. We made a fantastic start, 7th quickest on SS1, and 2nd quickest on SS2, what a start! We were fourth overnight and were looking to take a cautious approach to the tricky Saturday stages. We still set some good stage times on Saturday, and only lost one place on the leader board, and ended the day 5th, 2 seconds off fourth place.
Sunday was our day to push, and I was ready for it! We started off with a 3rd place time on the opening stage, a great start to show our speed. However from there everything happened. Firstly, the exhaust manifold broke, causing the car to go seriously down on power. We were being chased hard by Czech Skoda driver Jan Kopecky, and we knew it was going to be difficult to keep ahead. 4th place was ours when Thierry Neuville hit trouble, so we knew all we had to do was get around. With only a remote service during the day, we knew we could do very little to aid our troubles, and when a rear diff fan broke, I really thought my rally was falling apart. But, we battled on, stage by stage we done enough to stay in front and got to the end in 4th overall and first privateer! We were thrilled, and we were further showing our speed at no better a time, I was so so happy.
A little (very little) gap to the next Rally in RACC Rally Spain, and back in the S2000 car again, and now part of the SWRC, no pressure! The rally had a new concept to me, mixed surface. Friday stages were based on gravel, with Saturday and Sunday ran on Asphalt. We tested on Monday near Vic on Asphalt, a really nice road and I felt confident that we had done enough to have a package to be competitive. Our recce was good, some long stages and mixed surface made it extremely difficult, but I was up for it. Starting on gravel I was little nervous considering we didn't get to test on the spanish gravel beforehand. However, we were on the pace, and with a fastest time on the second stage, we were within 0.5 seconds of the Rally leader Juho Hanninen. The afternoon was ok for us, the pace wasn't as quick, but we ended the day just 20 seconds off the lead and looking forwards to the monstor 46Km El Priorat stage on Asphalt the following morning. After trojan work by the boys (Thanks lads!) the car was converted to tarmac trim for Day 2.
We started the first stage, and planned to charge. However just 8Km in, we broke a rear driveshaft and were forced to drive the whole loop in front wheel drive, disaster. We got it fixed in service, but I was gutted we had lost close to 2 minutes, and we were back in fourth. In the afternoon, I struggled to find the speed I was looking for. However on the final stage, it started to come together, and I was hopeful to increase our pace on the last day.
The first stage on Sunday morning, the stage was ran in darkness. We had a really good run, and we were quickest in SWRC by some margin. Finally we had found the speed we were looking for, and I was confident there was more. We continued this pace for the rest of the day, and finished the rally 15th overall and 4th SWRC. I was disappointed that we couldn't fight for the victory after our issues, but still really pleased with our speed once again, we're going the right way finally!
Now, back to preparing for Wales Rally GB, the big one. A once in a lifetime opportunity to win a dream prize, and I'll do anything to get it. If we win and Egon finishes 2nd, we need to win 13 stages at least to get the win, so it's flat out! I'm really looking forward to it, there's no reason why we can't do it so bring it on!
Anyhow, off for a cycle!
Craig
Wednesday 7 September 2011
We done it!
Hi all,
Finally I'm sitting writing this blog with a big smile on my face, our first WRC Academy win, and what better way to get it but with another nail biting finish. This was the first asphalt round of the WRC Academy, and I was keen to try and get a good result amid the European tarmac experts within the Academy. After our test at the Stonethrowers rally back home, I was confident in both myself and the car before the demanding German stages. The recce was excellent. We made really good pacenotes, and I found the stages enjoyable, and quite easy to read. On Thursday we had a Shakedown, and again I was really please with the setup. Friday was a tough day, as anticipated, Spanish driver Yeray Lemes was the man to beat, but we slotted comfortably into second place. We were not able to match Yeray on the early stages, but towards the end of the day, we were able to come a little closer, and even after a scare when we touched a kerb on the final test of Leg 1, we were 30 seconds behind, with a massive amount of mileage the following day.
On the first stage of Leg 2, we dropped a little time to Yeray, but on the next test, Yeray went off the road and dropped 50 seconds, we were in the lead! I knew from then I had to pull something out of the bag, and we responded. We took a further 1.7 seconds on the following stage, and the fight was now on, now leading by 17 seconds. Yeray took a further 5 seconds on the first run of Panzerplatte, but with a stage requiring so much knowledge, I was happy to be so close to him considering it was our first time. We went to service for some new tires, and a repeat of the mornings stages lay ahead.
We had new pads and discs fitted for the second loop, and unfortunately, they didn't bed in properly on the run out, and stuck on over the test. We dropped 6 seconds to Yeray, and our lead was down to 6 seconds. It took a couple of K's to get the brakes freed up in the next stage, but with a good clean run, we opened the gap back up to 10 seconds heading into the penultimate test. Yeray pipped us by 1.3 on the penultimate stage to bring down it to the wire on the final Panzerplatte stage. Panzerplatte based in the German Army range in Baumholder, is a classic tarmac rally stage. This year it was 35Km in length and was so demanding. With over 120 junctions and varying surfaces, I knew with only 8 seconds in hand, it was going to have to be maximum attack! We pushed incredibly hard, on the limit everywhere, and crossing the finish, I had a feeling that we had done enough. Approaching the stop car we saw World Rally Radio’s Colin Clark jumping and pointing at us, and we knew we had done it! We took 5 seconds back, and our first WRC Academy win! It was overwhelming, so much effort, being close at every round so far, and eventually it had all paid off. But now, knowing what this feeling is like, I’m going to push harder, and prepare better, and be stronger, this feeling is amazing and I want it again, its an addiction!
However, we had no time to celebrate, as we headed straight to the Czech Republic for the Barum Rally Zlin, and back into the S2000. We had a great test near Bela on the Monday, although the weather was quite harsh, it was great to be back in the car, and the feeling was great. Our recce again was perfect, and I was confident heading into the weekend. We were 10th quickest in shakedown, further boosting my confidence.
We took it very steady over the super special in Zlin, aware that the kerbs that lined the stage could end my rally instantly, I was happy to make it round and ended the day 26th. Saturday started with a loop of four challenging stages. We started steady and increased our speed little by little over the next few stage. During the 29Km Trojak stage, it became apparent that we were on too soft a tyre for the stages and 40 degree heat, and would need a change of compound for the second loop. With that in mind, we got through the remaining stages and got back to service for a change to a harder compound. We headed back out for the second loop of same stages, already having moved up to 11th overall, and looking to improve. We had a steady run on the first one out, moving up two positions to 9th and confident that the tires were going to be better as the loop went on. We stayed in 9th for the next, and a big push over the repeat of Trojak stage pushed us up to 8th, with a 6th overall stage time! At last, making big progress! A 5th fastest time on the last stage brought us home in 8th overall ahead of leg 2, brilliant.
We started a little slow on Sunday morning, dropping back to 11th, but still all to play for. We had a great run on the last stage of the loop, and we were back up to7th, close stuff! Another repeat of the same loop, and now we were looking a little more comfortable. Toni Gardemiester was too far ahead realistically to catch, and we had a good gap behind, so the name of the game was to finish. However on the middle stage, Toni received a 10 second penalty for a jump start, and suddenly we started the last stage with Toni in our grasp. We tried to push, but unfortunately, the afternoon temperatures had raised a little too high for our compound, and around mid way through the stage we started to loose grip in the rear, and had to back off. I knew I had done all I could, and altghough we took a good chunk of time from Toni, it wasn't enough to get 6th.
But hey, 7th overall on my first proper IRC rally, what more could I ask for?! On such a challenging event, I was hoping to be getting close to the top 10 at the end of the event, but we were pushing hard from day 1, it was perfect.
This has now lead to a run in RACC Rally Spain in the SWRC class, but that's as much as I can say for now, watch this space!
So, a great month. A perfect month perhaps! Finally all our hard work is paying off and the results are coming, so hopefully it will continue when we get to France for the next round of the WRC Academy, we can still do this!
Anyway, in the mean time, keep an eye to my twitter, and keep the race in its place!
Craig
Tuesday 9 August 2011
So so close!
Hi all,
Finland has came and gone, and although it went well like previous years, we were just pipped to our first WRC Academy win by just 2 seconds. It was a difficult event for a few reasons. Firstly, my previous knowledge wasn't much use as most of the rally, in fact the entire second day, was focused on new stages based in the Lahti area, south of Jyvaskyla....bummer! A problem with a rear beam on Thursday evening also dropped us some time, but on Friday I was keen to make up lost ground. We had a very steady approach to the day, but it was enough to see us leading the rally into the final leg, back in Jyvaskyla, just what I wanted. So on Saturday, we got to work, on the first stage it got very rough near the middle and, rather foolishly now, backed off and dropped 3 seconds to Egon Kaur, who was now in front by 0.8, a bit close. But we went to Surkee and hit back, 8 seconds out of Egons lead and we were now ahead by 8. However on the next stage, Urria, a competitor in front crashed and the spectators were slowing us down way to much and we dropped our precious 8 seconds back, all our work undone.
We set to work once again on Jukojarvi and Isojarvi, taking a second out of him on both stages, we were now ahead by two.
Back to service and the mood was good, and I couldn't wait to get back out again. Sitting at the start of the next stage, we had been regrouped behind two Skoda Felicia's, the first time we had been behind them all rally. (WRC Academy ran at back of the field on leg 2) They gave us a two minute interval, and for a 15km stage I thought this would be ok. 5km in and the dust started, by 6km we were on his bumper and I could feel the seconds ticking by. Eventually we got past and pushed on again, only for another few km's up the road and here was the next one, I couldn't believe my luck. We battled for a while to get past, eventually squeezing past on a narrow section, loosing buckets of time. By the time we came to the end of the stage, we were catching our third car, what more could I do? Amazingly, we had only lost 2 seconds to Egon, a credit to how hard we were pushing in the stage before we hit this trouble. But, our lead was down to 0.3 seconds now, and we had to push. The final stage was Surkee, a repeat of this morning. We had a slow start to the stage, but come mid way through, we were clawing time and I could feel it. At the last split we were 0.3 in front of Egon, so you guessed it, dead level! But as we arrived to the end of the stage and waited for Egons time, it became apparent that we had lost two seconds in the last split, and we were second, all over!
Still, second place points and 5 stage wins bumps us up to second in the championship, and were going to tarmac now, and I can't wait!
To practice for tarmac, we went to the Stonethrowers Rally in Tipperary yesterday. It was nice to get back on the tar again, and the day proved well. We had very changeable conditions, and surfaces, all great practice for Germany. We finished up 6th overall and 2nd in class to Robert Barrable in his C2R2, a credit to what can be done with these kind of machines!
So, we're all set for Germany now, then Barum Rally the weekend after in the S2000 car, some great times ahead!
All the best,
Craig
Monday 18 July 2011
The Rock is back!
Hi all,
A very emotional day is all I can describe the 26th of June this year. Six years after my Father Ray won the Ravens Rock for the first time, I was winning mine. The 15 year old back in 2005 destined for years on the racing circuits never dreamed of doing such a feat, but boy does it feel good now! I remember looking in awe at my Father when he won, looking back over the list of previous winners and seeing him more as an idol than my Father!
So as you can see, the Ravens Rock Rally is HUGE with me, far more important to me than any of my successes to date. It was a great event, okay a lot of the top guys pulled out over the days leading up to the event, but for me it didn't take away any of the pride. We were fastest on all but one of the nine stages, building a very comfortable lead and then just enjoying the spin in the S2000 again. I then headed away the following day to Portugal for a few days rest, it was a nice feeling I must admit!
So, at the weekend it was back to serious business, but back in the R2 car. Rally Estonia came as a perfect test for Rally Finland next week, so we set off to try and get a good setup in the test car that we could carry over onto the Academy Car next week. We ran on a Pirelli K4 tyre which is the control tyre for the Academy, which maybe wasn't the most competitive for the event, but defiantly was the right option to be in good shape for Finland. We had a great rally, 28th O/A and 2nd in class. More importantly we're all set for Finland.
So, Finland , the home of Rallying, and we're ready to win! We've had a disappointing WRC Academy Season so far, but I'm so keen on getting it back on track. Points for stage wins should really help our case, so we know what we have to do.
And now, some great news, we have decided to get back in the S2000 car and go to the IRC Barum Rally in Czech Republic in late August. It's a great event which is meant to be some bit similar to our roads here in Ireland, and I cannot wait to get there! It's the first tarmac rally I've done in the S2000 car outside of Ireland and the UK, and with the IRC competition as fierce as it is, it will be a great bench mark to see where we are on tarmac with the best S2000 drivers.
But for now, it's head down and time to get ready to fly in Finland! :)
Keep an eye out on twitter as per!
All the best,
Craig
Tuesday 21 June 2011
More of the black stuff!
Hi everyone,
So, lots of tarmac recently, however it didn't start off to well! We traveled to the Jim Clark Rally in May, my first tarmac outing this year, and I was really looking forward to it. I only got a very brief run in the car at shakedown, but it felt great to be back in a front-wheel drive car on tar. We had six stages that evening, two small blasts around Duns Street stage, and two over the moors of Bothwell and Abbey St Bathans. We had a great night, even setting a time good enough for 5th overall on the first run through Abbey! We ended the night 7th overall and 2nd in Formula 2, very happy with our work. We started day two on a familiar stage, Polwarth and again we set the pace in R2, and 7th overall. SS8 however spelled the end, on a medium speed left hander the rear of the car got a little light, spun round and we hit the ditch on the inside, minimal damage, but a broken radiator put us out. I was really dissapointed, fellow WRC Academy driver Alastair Fisher was just starting to get into a good stride and setting great times, so it would have been a great way to get a benchmark for Germany and France, but it was not to be. Alastair went on the win R2 and the Fiesta Sport Trophy, well done to him.
We hadn't much time to dwell however, Tom and his team had the car repaired in a day, and we were off to France. Rallye du Ronde Limousin, a round of the FFSA Rally Championship based in Limoges, central France. . Held over two days with a total of six stages the event was held in central France
So now, we're back in the big boys car, the S2000 is out for "The Rock". The Ravens Rock is on the weekend, my local rally, and I can't wait! It's been 4 months since I drove the car last, and 8 months since I've driven it on Tarmac at the Cork "20" last year. We've been seeded car 1 on the road, which I am truly honored by. However to return to Kilkenny on Sunday evening still number one will be close to impossible considering the line up behind me. I've got four top of the range Subaru WRC cars breathing down my neck, led by winner of last weekends Donegal International Rally Tim McNulty. However, it's purely an experience excercise for me, and I'll be happy once I make some more progress on Sunday.
That's all for now, keep an eye out on twitter, as always!
Craig
Thursday 12 May 2011
What do we have to do!
Hi all,
Just home from another disappointing weekend in Sardinia. A great start and a steady pace, brought to a premature end by an unseen rock on SS4.
We arrived in Olbia on Sunday the 7th, fresh from our 3rd place finish in Formula 2 at the Pirelli International Rally. We had a guest lecture with Mario Isola and an event briefing on the Monday, and straight into recce on Tuesday morning. It was obvious from the recce that this was going to be the most difficult rally I have ever done. Really demanding twisty technical stages, some set high in the Mountains and Wind-Farms, other on low twisty tracks. We had another guest lecture on Wednesday by none other than Petter Solberg. It was a fascinating 45 minutes, hearing Petters climb to the top of the WRC ladder was truly inspirational.
Anyway, with all the formalities over, it was time to do the shakedown on Thursday morning. It was a very slippery road, not like that of the rally, so we only done 3 runs to make sure the car was ok. We had a ceremonial start in the evening and we were ready to start. Friday AM and we were away, a long run out to a smooth and wide first stage. We took it very steady, and were amazed that we were fastest by 2 seconds. This stage saw the demise of Alastair Fisher with mechanical failure, which was very disappointing. Onto stage two and again, another fastest time, it was all looking so good. Stage 3 was very tricky and slippy, and with a small lead already formed, I decided not to take any chances, dropping just two seconds, our lead was still in hand.
Onto stage 4, and our dreams were shattered. Roughly 8km into the stage there was a slight right hand bend, with a bump on it. The car bottomed out and we made contact with a rock in the ground with the sump, and in turn, broke it. The oil immediately drained and with a quick flick of the oil light, I shut the engine off, saving it from any lasting damage. It turned out I wasn't the only one to hit it, 7 other WRC Academy crews fell fowl of the same rock. We were very lucky to be only one of two of the seven that were able to restart using SupeRally on Saturday, as the rest had suffered terminal engine trouble. We re-started back in 8th place. Saturday started with a very committed fast stage set 120km from Olbia. It was a stage I really liked, and the aim of the game was stage wins. We were quickest in the stage by over 20 seconds, and enforced our pace on the day. We then had a very tough and rocky stage set in the mountains, and only a few corners into the stage, I could see it was going to be extremely tough on the car. I decided to slow right down, knowing that we had gained enough time on the first stage, and save the car. The final stage of the loop, and again very rough. Keeping in mind what had happened the day before, I again took the stage with caution, dropping only a hand full of seconds.
Back to Olbia for a 30 minute service and then to repeat the same loop. The plan to push on the first stage worked once more, quickest by 10 seconds this time, removing any pressure from behind. Then it all started to go horribly wrong. We started the second to last stage, comfortable back up into 5th place and just wanting to get home. Unfortunately, early into the stage we caught up with two slower drivers and were forced to drive in their thick dust for 10km. We dropped back to 6th, but with only 3 seconds to 5th, I was more than confident that we could get it back. However just a few corners into the last stage, the rear hub parted the car without any reason. Our hard work had been undone, and it was just so bitter. However, we did manage to make some make-shift repairs and got back to the finish in Olbia (a mammoth task in its on right) and picked up points, albeit in last place.
So, another horrible end to a WRC Academy round, but I suppose that's the sport that we know and love! But, we have to pick up and move on. In the WRC Academy, you score a point for a fastest stage time, and were off to Finland next so.....You've guessed it, maximum attack! It should be very exciting, but before that, we're back to tarmac for the first time in 8 months, with the Jim Clark Rally, and then the Rallye Ronde Limousine. I'm really looking forward to getting back on the black stuff, and getting a good set-up ahead of Rally Deutschland and Rally de France. We're also going to Rally Estonia for practice before Rally Finland, so some very busy times ahead, but for now the pressure is off, and it's time to prepare!
That's all for now, keep an eye out for tweets! :)
All the best,
Craig
Just home from another disappointing weekend in Sardinia. A great start and a steady pace, brought to a premature end by an unseen rock on SS4.
We arrived in Olbia on Sunday the 7th, fresh from our 3rd place finish in Formula 2 at the Pirelli International Rally. We had a guest lecture with Mario Isola and an event briefing on the Monday, and straight into recce on Tuesday morning. It was obvious from the recce that this was going to be the most difficult rally I have ever done. Really demanding twisty technical stages, some set high in the Mountains and Wind-Farms, other on low twisty tracks. We had another guest lecture on Wednesday by none other than Petter Solberg. It was a fascinating 45 minutes, hearing Petters climb to the top of the WRC ladder was truly inspirational.
Anyway, with all the formalities over, it was time to do the shakedown on Thursday morning. It was a very slippery road, not like that of the rally, so we only done 3 runs to make sure the car was ok. We had a ceremonial start in the evening and we were ready to start. Friday AM and we were away, a long run out to a smooth and wide first stage. We took it very steady, and were amazed that we were fastest by 2 seconds. This stage saw the demise of Alastair Fisher with mechanical failure, which was very disappointing. Onto stage two and again, another fastest time, it was all looking so good. Stage 3 was very tricky and slippy, and with a small lead already formed, I decided not to take any chances, dropping just two seconds, our lead was still in hand.
Onto stage 4, and our dreams were shattered. Roughly 8km into the stage there was a slight right hand bend, with a bump on it. The car bottomed out and we made contact with a rock in the ground with the sump, and in turn, broke it. The oil immediately drained and with a quick flick of the oil light, I shut the engine off, saving it from any lasting damage. It turned out I wasn't the only one to hit it, 7 other WRC Academy crews fell fowl of the same rock. We were very lucky to be only one of two of the seven that were able to restart using SupeRally on Saturday, as the rest had suffered terminal engine trouble. We re-started back in 8th place. Saturday started with a very committed fast stage set 120km from Olbia. It was a stage I really liked, and the aim of the game was stage wins. We were quickest in the stage by over 20 seconds, and enforced our pace on the day. We then had a very tough and rocky stage set in the mountains, and only a few corners into the stage, I could see it was going to be extremely tough on the car. I decided to slow right down, knowing that we had gained enough time on the first stage, and save the car. The final stage of the loop, and again very rough. Keeping in mind what had happened the day before, I again took the stage with caution, dropping only a hand full of seconds.
Back to Olbia for a 30 minute service and then to repeat the same loop. The plan to push on the first stage worked once more, quickest by 10 seconds this time, removing any pressure from behind. Then it all started to go horribly wrong. We started the second to last stage, comfortable back up into 5th place and just wanting to get home. Unfortunately, early into the stage we caught up with two slower drivers and were forced to drive in their thick dust for 10km. We dropped back to 6th, but with only 3 seconds to 5th, I was more than confident that we could get it back. However just a few corners into the last stage, the rear hub parted the car without any reason. Our hard work had been undone, and it was just so bitter. However, we did manage to make some make-shift repairs and got back to the finish in Olbia (a mammoth task in its on right) and picked up points, albeit in last place.
So, another horrible end to a WRC Academy round, but I suppose that's the sport that we know and love! But, we have to pick up and move on. In the WRC Academy, you score a point for a fastest stage time, and were off to Finland next so.....You've guessed it, maximum attack! It should be very exciting, but before that, we're back to tarmac for the first time in 8 months, with the Jim Clark Rally, and then the Rallye Ronde Limousine. I'm really looking forward to getting back on the black stuff, and getting a good set-up ahead of Rally Deutschland and Rally de France. We're also going to Rally Estonia for practice before Rally Finland, so some very busy times ahead, but for now the pressure is off, and it's time to prepare!
That's all for now, keep an eye out for tweets! :)
All the best,
Craig
Tuesday 19 April 2011
The bitter side!
Hi All,
So, we headed to Portugal on top of our game, at the peak of our confidence and raring to go. We had a great test on the Saturday prior to the rally in our own car. It was fantastic, the road was exactly what the rally stages were made of, and we made lots of progress that day. We were staying in our holiday home in Albufeira which made things feel even more comfortable, it was shaping up to be a cracker. We had a WRC Academy briefing on Monday, guest speaker was Ken Block, what a guy! Tuesday, the recce began, we had a borrowed Renault Twingo, kitted with two trip meters and an in-car camera (it was a sight to behold!). We had two great days recce, I was particularly happy with the first stage on Friday, it was a really nice stage, and I knew straight away this was my stage to push - this molded the whole weekend. On Wednesday evening, we had the official WRC Academy test. I only done two very slow runs to make sure the car was OK, we had done all our hard work on Saturday.
Thursday morning, 6am and we were all loaded onto a coach for a four hour trip to Lisbon for the Super Special Stage. Here, the WRC Academy was officially launched, with guest speakers such as Michele Mouton, and Malcolm Wilson, it was a truly great experience, and I was delighted to be part of it. We done the recce for the stage in golf buggy's (great fun was had I must say!) and we had a few hours to relax before the start. We had a small drivers parade going around in the back of vintage cars, and then the rally started...with a bang! I was in the second group of WRC Academy drivers, just off the start of the stage you had a long straight, and then a six left (a tight 90 degree left corner). It was partially on cobbles, and I just misjudged my braking, came in way to fast and had to fire the car around on the handbrake. Just when I thought I was after getting away with it, I hit a concrete bollard with the rear right wheel, and bent it dramatically. I really thought that was it, I was sure the wheel would fall off, and I didn't think we were allowed fix it in the evening. However, I plodded round, got to the finish, and to my amazement we were 2nd fastest! I have no idea how, but I wasn't complaining! Got the all clear that we could fix the car, time to relax, we got away with it.
Friday AM, and the rally started proper. The famous first stage that I was looking forward to so much was moments away, and I was buzzing. We had a really good stage, finding the rhythm instantly. The car, pacenotes, everything was perfect, and I was doing what I do best. We set a brilliant time, 10 seconds clear of everyone else, and we had laid our marker. However all was not well, when we came to the stop car, the gearbox was making a horrid noise, it sounded like it was going to give up. We had to really nurse the car through the next two stages, avoiding 3rd gear at times, but still we managed to take 10 seconds a stage off of everyone, I was so happy to get to service. We had to change the gearbox in service, a great effort. We lost 10 seconds with a penalty on the way out, but we were still 20 in front.
The same stages repeated, and we were back setting the pace. Fastest by 6 on the first one out, but then more trouble on the next. We broke a gearbox mounting early in the stage and the engine began to move around violently. But, all was not lost, our closest rival Yeray Lemes stopped in the stage, so we were well in front, over a minute. We chose to slow right down, still only loosing 0.1 of a second on the second last one, but over 30 on the last stage of the evening, it was very rough and no reason to push.
Saturday morning, the first stage was very tricky and the end featured a very technical fast section. I chose not to push, dropping 9 seconds to the fastest time, but I was still happy. Second one, and we picked it up a little, quickest by 10, we laid our marker once more. Then, onto the third one and disaster. A really deceptive second gear corner of a narrow crest, and I just got caught out when I got to it, and turned the wrong way on the crest and down a steep embankment. It was all over, stuck and no way of getting out. All we could do was dwell on the outright speed and consistency we had, and work on winning in Sardinia.
We hadn't long to think about it, we were back out the following weekend in the next British Rally Championship round, Bulldog International Rally of North Wales. We fared a lot better, 1st in R2 and 1st in the Fiesta Sport Trophy rally. We were 3rd in Formula 2, but we just couldn't match the speed of the R3 cars of Mark Donnelly and Marty McCormack. Still, I feel we proved our speed once more, and up one more rung on the confidence ladder.
Then last weekend, to round off a trio of rallying weekends, we had the Moonraker Forestry Rally in Ireland. It was a small Irish National Forestry Championship Rally, but more mileage in the R2 car nonetheless. We were having a great day, leading two wheel drive and 3rd overall, but we suffered a puncture on the second last stage, and dropped back to 5th overall. Still, 1st in class, and 1st two wheel drive was a good day.
So now, a break, and time to train for Sardinia. I'm putting a huge push on my training for Sardinia, it's going to be really tough ,the weather looks like it's going to be mega hot- and I can't wait! It looks a very similar rally to Portugal, which bodes really well considering our speed there, so it's all looking good. We still have a round of the British Rally Championship, the Pirelli International Rally in Carslisle, but the big emphasis is on Sardinia, I can't wait!
Anyway, you'll catch me on twitter, I'm off for a run!
See you soon,
Craig
So, we headed to Portugal on top of our game, at the peak of our confidence and raring to go. We had a great test on the Saturday prior to the rally in our own car. It was fantastic, the road was exactly what the rally stages were made of, and we made lots of progress that day. We were staying in our holiday home in Albufeira which made things feel even more comfortable, it was shaping up to be a cracker. We had a WRC Academy briefing on Monday, guest speaker was Ken Block, what a guy! Tuesday, the recce began, we had a borrowed Renault Twingo, kitted with two trip meters and an in-car camera (it was a sight to behold!). We had two great days recce, I was particularly happy with the first stage on Friday, it was a really nice stage, and I knew straight away this was my stage to push - this molded the whole weekend. On Wednesday evening, we had the official WRC Academy test. I only done two very slow runs to make sure the car was OK, we had done all our hard work on Saturday.
Thursday morning, 6am and we were all loaded onto a coach for a four hour trip to Lisbon for the Super Special Stage. Here, the WRC Academy was officially launched, with guest speakers such as Michele Mouton, and Malcolm Wilson, it was a truly great experience, and I was delighted to be part of it. We done the recce for the stage in golf buggy's (great fun was had I must say!) and we had a few hours to relax before the start. We had a small drivers parade going around in the back of vintage cars, and then the rally started...with a bang! I was in the second group of WRC Academy drivers, just off the start of the stage you had a long straight, and then a six left (a tight 90 degree left corner). It was partially on cobbles, and I just misjudged my braking, came in way to fast and had to fire the car around on the handbrake. Just when I thought I was after getting away with it, I hit a concrete bollard with the rear right wheel, and bent it dramatically. I really thought that was it, I was sure the wheel would fall off, and I didn't think we were allowed fix it in the evening. However, I plodded round, got to the finish, and to my amazement we were 2nd fastest! I have no idea how, but I wasn't complaining! Got the all clear that we could fix the car, time to relax, we got away with it.
Friday AM, and the rally started proper. The famous first stage that I was looking forward to so much was moments away, and I was buzzing. We had a really good stage, finding the rhythm instantly. The car, pacenotes, everything was perfect, and I was doing what I do best. We set a brilliant time, 10 seconds clear of everyone else, and we had laid our marker. However all was not well, when we came to the stop car, the gearbox was making a horrid noise, it sounded like it was going to give up. We had to really nurse the car through the next two stages, avoiding 3rd gear at times, but still we managed to take 10 seconds a stage off of everyone, I was so happy to get to service. We had to change the gearbox in service, a great effort. We lost 10 seconds with a penalty on the way out, but we were still 20 in front.
The same stages repeated, and we were back setting the pace. Fastest by 6 on the first one out, but then more trouble on the next. We broke a gearbox mounting early in the stage and the engine began to move around violently. But, all was not lost, our closest rival Yeray Lemes stopped in the stage, so we were well in front, over a minute. We chose to slow right down, still only loosing 0.1 of a second on the second last one, but over 30 on the last stage of the evening, it was very rough and no reason to push.
Saturday morning, the first stage was very tricky and the end featured a very technical fast section. I chose not to push, dropping 9 seconds to the fastest time, but I was still happy. Second one, and we picked it up a little, quickest by 10, we laid our marker once more. Then, onto the third one and disaster. A really deceptive second gear corner of a narrow crest, and I just got caught out when I got to it, and turned the wrong way on the crest and down a steep embankment. It was all over, stuck and no way of getting out. All we could do was dwell on the outright speed and consistency we had, and work on winning in Sardinia.
We hadn't long to think about it, we were back out the following weekend in the next British Rally Championship round, Bulldog International Rally of North Wales. We fared a lot better, 1st in R2 and 1st in the Fiesta Sport Trophy rally. We were 3rd in Formula 2, but we just couldn't match the speed of the R3 cars of Mark Donnelly and Marty McCormack. Still, I feel we proved our speed once more, and up one more rung on the confidence ladder.
Then last weekend, to round off a trio of rallying weekends, we had the Moonraker Forestry Rally in Ireland. It was a small Irish National Forestry Championship Rally, but more mileage in the R2 car nonetheless. We were having a great day, leading two wheel drive and 3rd overall, but we suffered a puncture on the second last stage, and dropped back to 5th overall. Still, 1st in class, and 1st two wheel drive was a good day.
So now, a break, and time to train for Sardinia. I'm putting a huge push on my training for Sardinia, it's going to be really tough ,the weather looks like it's going to be mega hot- and I can't wait! It looks a very similar rally to Portugal, which bodes really well considering our speed there, so it's all looking good. We still have a round of the British Rally Championship, the Pirelli International Rally in Carslisle, but the big emphasis is on Sardinia, I can't wait!
Anyway, you'll catch me on twitter, I'm off for a run!
See you soon,
Craig
Sunday 13 March 2011
Back to basics!
Hi all!
We've moved back to our new pocket rocket that is the Fiesta R2, and wow, lots and LOTS of fun! We went to Bournemouth firstly for the first round of the BRC, Rallye Sunskeeker. We were part of M-Sport's teams entry, which added to the excitement for the event. It all started well, 3rd fastest on SS1, followed by second fastest on SS2. SS3, and just getting back into the grove of FWD driving, we set a fastest time, and moved into the Formula 2 lead. Unfortunately, in SS4, we were struck by bad luck and suffered a broken water pump. We had to stop and fill the car up with water from a near buy puddle, but unfortunately we lost 3 minutes in the process. We carried on, with the Fiesta Sport Trophy win in our sights, and even with the time loss, our array of fastest stage times on the last couple of stages was enough for us to win the Fiesta section and scoop the £500 prize. A small consolation, but still our speed was there so we have that to be pleased with!
Last weekend we had my local rally in Carrick-on-Suir, the Willie Loughman Memorial Rally. Unfortunately, Gareth was busy, but Barry McNulty was on hand to step in for the event. It was a compact 6 stage route, with 3 stages in daylight, with the same 3 repeated, but this time in darkness. We took a stage or two to settle into each other, and the organizers pacenotes (I've been used to making my own for so long now) but as the day progressed we got faster, and faster. We had a really good loop in the night stages, and we ended up 5th overall and 1st two-wheel drive car. Our last stage time was 2nd fastest overall and only 3 seconds of fastest against the GpN and WRC cars!
Then this last week, I travelled to M-Sport for some training before the start of the WRC Academy next week in Portugal. It was nice to finally meet the rest of the WRC Academy crews, and received some great tuition from the guys at ESP. We also got a chance to drive the proper spec WRC Academy cars, so everything is falling together nicely.
So, Portugal. Possibly everything I've spent my short rallying career gearing towards is about to start next week. I've exhausted every resource in regards to preparation, and I'm am so ready for this! The rally is great, we were there in 2009, and we won so hopefully we will have another repeat!
Anyway, I'll try and get another update before next week, if not, twitter shall rescue me! :)
All the best,
Craig
We've moved back to our new pocket rocket that is the Fiesta R2, and wow, lots and LOTS of fun! We went to Bournemouth firstly for the first round of the BRC, Rallye Sunskeeker. We were part of M-Sport's teams entry, which added to the excitement for the event. It all started well, 3rd fastest on SS1, followed by second fastest on SS2. SS3, and just getting back into the grove of FWD driving, we set a fastest time, and moved into the Formula 2 lead. Unfortunately, in SS4, we were struck by bad luck and suffered a broken water pump. We had to stop and fill the car up with water from a near buy puddle, but unfortunately we lost 3 minutes in the process. We carried on, with the Fiesta Sport Trophy win in our sights, and even with the time loss, our array of fastest stage times on the last couple of stages was enough for us to win the Fiesta section and scoop the £500 prize. A small consolation, but still our speed was there so we have that to be pleased with!
Last weekend we had my local rally in Carrick-on-Suir, the Willie Loughman Memorial Rally. Unfortunately, Gareth was busy, but Barry McNulty was on hand to step in for the event. It was a compact 6 stage route, with 3 stages in daylight, with the same 3 repeated, but this time in darkness. We took a stage or two to settle into each other, and the organizers pacenotes (I've been used to making my own for so long now) but as the day progressed we got faster, and faster. We had a really good loop in the night stages, and we ended up 5th overall and 1st two-wheel drive car. Our last stage time was 2nd fastest overall and only 3 seconds of fastest against the GpN and WRC cars!
Then this last week, I travelled to M-Sport for some training before the start of the WRC Academy next week in Portugal. It was nice to finally meet the rest of the WRC Academy crews, and received some great tuition from the guys at ESP. We also got a chance to drive the proper spec WRC Academy cars, so everything is falling together nicely.
So, Portugal. Possibly everything I've spent my short rallying career gearing towards is about to start next week. I've exhausted every resource in regards to preparation, and I'm am so ready for this! The rally is great, we were there in 2009, and we won so hopefully we will have another repeat!
Anyway, I'll try and get another update before next week, if not, twitter shall rescue me! :)
All the best,
Craig
Monday 21 February 2011
Snow joke in Sweden!
Hi all,
Apologies for this delayed blog. I had written one while finished the Recce in Sweden, but it seems like Swedish Internet has failed me, it said it had been posted!
So, Sweden was fantastic. Apart from 6 minutes that we lost on SS2, we were right on the pace on every stage, ending up 15th. Knowing without the time loss we could have been 11th is frustrating, but at least we know the speed is there for when we return. And hey, having the first round of the WRC being your favorite has its advantages, ask Mads Ostberg!
The stages were just phenomenal, perfect thick ice base, with large snow banks offering that confidence glance at high speed, a little nudge and your back on the line, safe rallying huh?! It was an honour to listen to so many people comment on how well we were doing, and once again, like Rally GB last year, I felt it was the real me back doing the results I know I can do. Last year was tough, because every time I'd pull myself up, there was an instant knock, and what had started out on a massive high in Galway, turned into a roller-coaster of emotions, finishing back on the same high in Wales. So to say I'm happy now is an understatment, two WRC rallys in a row inside the top 15, battling with Patrik Sandell, possibly one of the fastest S2000 drivers around, in both, why wouldn't I be?! But it's time to bring myself back down to earth, theres more important things to be concentrating on, the WRC Academy. It's creeping up at a rapid pace, and this week marks the start of our preperations. We're off to Bourmouth, right down south, for Rallye Sunseeker, the first round of the BRC, but this time in our new Fiesta R2. It's purely a testing and development exercise, but still we'll be keeping a close eye on the times! It's quite a compact gravel rally, just whats requried to settle myself back in the front-wheel drive. I must say, I'm really looking forward to getting back into the R2 again, because as most of you probably know, the Fiesta R2 has brought me great sucess in the past, and always leaves me with a huge smile on my face! Keep an eye out on twitter over the weekend, hopefully I'll be able to keep you posted.
On another note, I have been asked by Motorsport Ireland, and the Road Safety Authority to become an Ambassodor for Road Safety in Motorsport. It's in light of the new UN "Decade of Action", and everyone in motorsport will be encouraged to wear the new Metal Pin Tag stating "WEAR.BELIEVE.ACT" in a bid to bring awareness to the amount of fatalities on the roads today, and to try and slow down road users. It's a great scheme, and I was thrilled to take on the role as an ambassodor, and hopefully the capaign will have the desired affect that's so badly needed.
That's about it for the moment, I'm busy testing soon for this weekend so hopefully all goes well and we'll be in pole position for Portugal at the end of March!
Speak soon,
Craig
Apologies for this delayed blog. I had written one while finished the Recce in Sweden, but it seems like Swedish Internet has failed me, it said it had been posted!
So, Sweden was fantastic. Apart from 6 minutes that we lost on SS2, we were right on the pace on every stage, ending up 15th. Knowing without the time loss we could have been 11th is frustrating, but at least we know the speed is there for when we return. And hey, having the first round of the WRC being your favorite has its advantages, ask Mads Ostberg!
The stages were just phenomenal, perfect thick ice base, with large snow banks offering that confidence glance at high speed, a little nudge and your back on the line, safe rallying huh?! It was an honour to listen to so many people comment on how well we were doing, and once again, like Rally GB last year, I felt it was the real me back doing the results I know I can do. Last year was tough, because every time I'd pull myself up, there was an instant knock, and what had started out on a massive high in Galway, turned into a roller-coaster of emotions, finishing back on the same high in Wales. So to say I'm happy now is an understatment, two WRC rallys in a row inside the top 15, battling with Patrik Sandell, possibly one of the fastest S2000 drivers around, in both, why wouldn't I be?! But it's time to bring myself back down to earth, theres more important things to be concentrating on, the WRC Academy. It's creeping up at a rapid pace, and this week marks the start of our preperations. We're off to Bourmouth, right down south, for Rallye Sunseeker, the first round of the BRC, but this time in our new Fiesta R2. It's purely a testing and development exercise, but still we'll be keeping a close eye on the times! It's quite a compact gravel rally, just whats requried to settle myself back in the front-wheel drive. I must say, I'm really looking forward to getting back into the R2 again, because as most of you probably know, the Fiesta R2 has brought me great sucess in the past, and always leaves me with a huge smile on my face! Keep an eye out on twitter over the weekend, hopefully I'll be able to keep you posted.
On another note, I have been asked by Motorsport Ireland, and the Road Safety Authority to become an Ambassodor for Road Safety in Motorsport. It's in light of the new UN "Decade of Action", and everyone in motorsport will be encouraged to wear the new Metal Pin Tag stating "WEAR.BELIEVE.ACT" in a bid to bring awareness to the amount of fatalities on the roads today, and to try and slow down road users. It's a great scheme, and I was thrilled to take on the role as an ambassodor, and hopefully the capaign will have the desired affect that's so badly needed.
That's about it for the moment, I'm busy testing soon for this weekend so hopefully all goes well and we'll be in pole position for Portugal at the end of March!
Speak soon,
Craig
Thursday 27 January 2011
Back on Air!
Hi All,
Well, a quiet christmas period in so far as driving, but I've been plugging away at all the nasty bits! Paperwork and gym have been top of the agenda, as I have returned to work at the family business, Kel-Tech Engineering (Plug, Plug!). However, I had a bit of a taster to the year last weekend, when the CBR supporters club held some activities. On Friday last, we had a race night in the Ramada Hotel in Waterford. It was a roaring sucess, and in true Irish style, the bar remained open until the wee hours of the morning! However, for a few lucky guys and gals, it was an early bath. Part of the night, was a draw for a passenger ride the following day in the S2000.
Saturday we headed for the test road. I had heard so many horror storys of the renouned "Bullets Lane", the small road leading to the one and only Bullet Kehoe's house, that I was more worried heading up there than I was heading to Myhimpha in Finland! It was a tricky lane, lots of mud and gravel, and the odd patch of ice, but it gave a great taster of what it was all about. I even had the pleasure of bringing my wonderfull girlfriend Viv for a spin, which was great as it was a promise made near the start of the relationship and it looked like an oppertunity was never going to become possible, but Saturday served it's purpose well! Altough I'm convinced she thinks she can do better, I could have opened a huge can of worms here! Before I move on, I have to give a huge huge thanks to the organizers of the CBR supporters club; Jamie, Don, Billy, and Bill, are the names that shoot to my mind, but to everyone that helped out, I thank you dearly.
Anyway, Sweden. Were leaving for Norway next Thursday for two days testing with John Haugland, and then travel to Karlstad for the rally. Excited? Doesn't even come close to describe how I'm feeling! I cannot wait, a full snow rally in a Fiesta S2000, what more could a kid like me want?! So I'm counting the hours down to that, and as always keep an eye on twitter for the latest news on Sweden!
After Sweden I know everyone is asking whats the plan. Well, it's decided, but I wan't to wait and let the news come as a media press realease, rather than on here, but lets just say it's interesting!
Anyway, stay safe and come back and visit soon!
Craig
Well, a quiet christmas period in so far as driving, but I've been plugging away at all the nasty bits! Paperwork and gym have been top of the agenda, as I have returned to work at the family business, Kel-Tech Engineering (Plug, Plug!). However, I had a bit of a taster to the year last weekend, when the CBR supporters club held some activities. On Friday last, we had a race night in the Ramada Hotel in Waterford. It was a roaring sucess, and in true Irish style, the bar remained open until the wee hours of the morning! However, for a few lucky guys and gals, it was an early bath. Part of the night, was a draw for a passenger ride the following day in the S2000.
Saturday we headed for the test road. I had heard so many horror storys of the renouned "Bullets Lane", the small road leading to the one and only Bullet Kehoe's house, that I was more worried heading up there than I was heading to Myhimpha in Finland! It was a tricky lane, lots of mud and gravel, and the odd patch of ice, but it gave a great taster of what it was all about. I even had the pleasure of bringing my wonderfull girlfriend Viv for a spin, which was great as it was a promise made near the start of the relationship and it looked like an oppertunity was never going to become possible, but Saturday served it's purpose well! Altough I'm convinced she thinks she can do better, I could have opened a huge can of worms here! Before I move on, I have to give a huge huge thanks to the organizers of the CBR supporters club; Jamie, Don, Billy, and Bill, are the names that shoot to my mind, but to everyone that helped out, I thank you dearly.
Anyway, Sweden. Were leaving for Norway next Thursday for two days testing with John Haugland, and then travel to Karlstad for the rally. Excited? Doesn't even come close to describe how I'm feeling! I cannot wait, a full snow rally in a Fiesta S2000, what more could a kid like me want?! So I'm counting the hours down to that, and as always keep an eye on twitter for the latest news on Sweden!
After Sweden I know everyone is asking whats the plan. Well, it's decided, but I wan't to wait and let the news come as a media press realease, rather than on here, but lets just say it's interesting!
Anyway, stay safe and come back and visit soon!
Craig
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