Hi all,
Obviously as time progressed, it became impossible to have the car ready for the start of the Isle of Man, and I was forced to give it a skip. It was a really bitter blow, as right from when we purchased the car, I had always said how much I was looking forward to throwing the car at the narrow lanes over there, but it was just not to be. It looked to be an extremely tough event, and credit must be given to Keith and Barry on a great job, and another maximum for them. My co-driver Gareth was out with BRC veteran Gwyndaf Evans in a JRM Evo X and had some bad luck when an off dropped them two minutes and any chance of a three in a row for Gwyndaf. They still managed second place, so more points in the bag.
Our BRC campaign is pretty much gone now, however were going to continue on regardless, as we know that elusive first win can't be far away!
For a while it looked like I was going to be back in M-Sport for the week of the rally, but on Tuesday I was asked to go to Bulgaria as part of the weather crew for the World Team, which I was absolutely ecstatic with! I flew out Wednesday evening, done a quick tour around on Thursday and then the rally started Friday morning. There were lots of early starts, but it was a really interesting job, and I was chuffed to be part of the team. My job was pretty straight forward, but at the same time enjoyable. Reading the temperature, clouds, wind, etc. and reporting back at regular intervals. It gave some time to reflect also, on what's been a pretty dismal season so far, but also look forward to our next event, WRC Rally Finland.
It's going to be a huge challenge for us, with no less than 17 S2000 cars taking part, 10 f those being fiestas. It will be the first time I've competed against other S2000 cars, and my first real gauge as to where I am with this calibre of car.
There is a bit to go yet though, and I still have two weeks work in M-Sport before I leave. I'm in the hydraulics section at the moment, which is interesting work. This section also includes where the dampers are rebuilt, so its really relative to see the inner workings, to understand how they operate.
That's all for now, I'll update closer to Finland!
All the best,
Craig
Monday, 12 July 2010
Thursday, 24 June 2010
A bad weekend all round...
Hi all,
Last weekend in Donegal started perfect, a great recce, and an excellent start, 6 stages on Friday wen't as smooth as ever, and we ended the day in a comfertable 2nd overall. It was the happiest I have been in a long time with my pace and overall package. However, little did I know when I woke on Saturday morning, that I was arising to one of the dullest days in my life so far.
An average first stage dropped us back to 3rd behind Tim McNulty, but as I learned before, it's best just to leave the WRC boys to it! I went into SS8 Fanad Head with a lot of hope, as it was a stage I really enjoyed from last year. We were having a really good run, as we approached a high speed section of the stage. There was a late medium left followed by a flat right hander. I just cut the inside of the left a little too much and hit a stone and puntured instantly, unfortunatly I could not negotiate the following corner, and we hit a pier of a house at high speed. It was a bitter blow, and again I was denied a great result.
The car was bad, and I dwelled for a while how the team and I were going to be able to afford to get out of this, however soon after, the car became the least of mine or anyones worries. My friend Thomas Maguire, tragically lost his life after an accident while co-driving for another friend of mine Shane Buckley. Thomas was a "sound lad", kept himself to himself, and got on with doing a good job with his co-driving. My thoughts and prayers are with the Maguire family, and also with Shane, who is still seriously ill in hospital in Dublin.
As for myself, we all now need to pull together and try and get us to the start ramp in the Isle of Man
All the best,
Craig
Last weekend in Donegal started perfect, a great recce, and an excellent start, 6 stages on Friday wen't as smooth as ever, and we ended the day in a comfertable 2nd overall. It was the happiest I have been in a long time with my pace and overall package. However, little did I know when I woke on Saturday morning, that I was arising to one of the dullest days in my life so far.
An average first stage dropped us back to 3rd behind Tim McNulty, but as I learned before, it's best just to leave the WRC boys to it! I went into SS8 Fanad Head with a lot of hope, as it was a stage I really enjoyed from last year. We were having a really good run, as we approached a high speed section of the stage. There was a late medium left followed by a flat right hander. I just cut the inside of the left a little too much and hit a stone and puntured instantly, unfortunatly I could not negotiate the following corner, and we hit a pier of a house at high speed. It was a bitter blow, and again I was denied a great result.
The car was bad, and I dwelled for a while how the team and I were going to be able to afford to get out of this, however soon after, the car became the least of mine or anyones worries. My friend Thomas Maguire, tragically lost his life after an accident while co-driving for another friend of mine Shane Buckley. Thomas was a "sound lad", kept himself to himself, and got on with doing a good job with his co-driving. My thoughts and prayers are with the Maguire family, and also with Shane, who is still seriously ill in hospital in Dublin.
As for myself, we all now need to pull together and try and get us to the start ramp in the Isle of Man
All the best,
Craig
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
A great weekend!
Hi all,
We travelled to Chesterfield at the weekend for the Rally Show at Chatsworth. The show was sponsored by Kick Energy, and we were invited to bring the Fiesta there to take part. It was a race against time the get the car ready, but all credit to M-Sport, they had the engine ready just in time, and Tom fitted it in Dovenby Hall on Friday.
The weather on Saturday was fantastic, bright sunshine and a really good fun stage was a great crowd pleaser. We had some guest runs in my own car, and then halfway during the day Steve Perez kindly gave me a spin in his Focus WRC, followed by his Datsun Safari car, and last but by no means least his immaculate Lancia Stratos. It was a fantastic opportunity to be able to drive such prestigious cars at a young age, and I can't be greatful enough to Steve for giving me the chance! We took part in event 5, the FIA event, against Steve in his Focus WRC. We led after the first day, but we were no match to Steve on day 2, and we ended up finishing a distant second. All in all, it was a really enjoyable weekend, and I'm looking forward to next year already!
I was in Letterkenny yesterday for an interview with RTE before the Donegal International Rally in two weeks. It's going to be aired next week at some point next week on the sports section on RTE News.
Looking forward to Donegal now, getting myself prepared both physically and mentally, and can't wait for recce to start next week.
I'll be keeping the twitter up to date so keep a look out.
All the best,
Craig
We travelled to Chesterfield at the weekend for the Rally Show at Chatsworth. The show was sponsored by Kick Energy, and we were invited to bring the Fiesta there to take part. It was a race against time the get the car ready, but all credit to M-Sport, they had the engine ready just in time, and Tom fitted it in Dovenby Hall on Friday.
The weather on Saturday was fantastic, bright sunshine and a really good fun stage was a great crowd pleaser. We had some guest runs in my own car, and then halfway during the day Steve Perez kindly gave me a spin in his Focus WRC, followed by his Datsun Safari car, and last but by no means least his immaculate Lancia Stratos. It was a fantastic opportunity to be able to drive such prestigious cars at a young age, and I can't be greatful enough to Steve for giving me the chance! We took part in event 5, the FIA event, against Steve in his Focus WRC. We led after the first day, but we were no match to Steve on day 2, and we ended up finishing a distant second. All in all, it was a really enjoyable weekend, and I'm looking forward to next year already!
I was in Letterkenny yesterday for an interview with RTE before the Donegal International Rally in two weeks. It's going to be aired next week at some point next week on the sports section on RTE News.
Looking forward to Donegal now, getting myself prepared both physically and mentally, and can't wait for recce to start next week.
I'll be keeping the twitter up to date so keep a look out.
All the best,
Craig
Monday, 31 May 2010
A bitter blow
Hi All,
Midway through last weekend, I had visions of writing this with a big grin on my face, acknowledging my first BRC win, but it was cruelly taken away from me.
We were leading the rally, and feeling the most confer table I have ever felt in the car to date. The rally started really well, with four fastest stage times from six, and we were ahead by 12 seconds, to Keith Cronin, come the end of leg one. Leg two, started with a further three fastest stage times, then on SS10, Swinton, disaster struck. A terminal engine fault occured and we were forced to retire from the rally, a bitter blow. Every effort is always made to ensure the durability of the car and it's components, but occasionally things malfunction and shatter dreams, as demonstrated on Saturday. It was extremely hard for me to take on board what had happened, but I must now gather my thoughts and move on to Donegal in two weeks. In the meantime, I will be attending the Rally Show at Chatsworth this weekend, so please do come and support a great event, and hopefully my own car will be in attendance.
All the best
Craig
Midway through last weekend, I had visions of writing this with a big grin on my face, acknowledging my first BRC win, but it was cruelly taken away from me.
We were leading the rally, and feeling the most confer table I have ever felt in the car to date. The rally started really well, with four fastest stage times from six, and we were ahead by 12 seconds, to Keith Cronin, come the end of leg one. Leg two, started with a further three fastest stage times, then on SS10, Swinton, disaster struck. A terminal engine fault occured and we were forced to retire from the rally, a bitter blow. Every effort is always made to ensure the durability of the car and it's components, but occasionally things malfunction and shatter dreams, as demonstrated on Saturday. It was extremely hard for me to take on board what had happened, but I must now gather my thoughts and move on to Donegal in two weeks. In the meantime, I will be attending the Rally Show at Chatsworth this weekend, so please do come and support a great event, and hopefully my own car will be in attendance.
All the best
Craig
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
A good time in the lakes!
Hi All,
Back home after a really promising weekend in Killarney, for the Rally of the Lakes. The rally worked out perfect, we took Saturday steady in the tricky conditions, building confidence after the Circuit of Ireland crash, having a good go at Molls Gap, and we were 5th overall overnight. Sunday was better for us, the confidence was starting to come back. A fastest time over the famous Carragh Lake stage was a real boost for us, and with Tim McNulty exiting late in the day, we were satisfied with out 4th overall. However on the last stage, disaster struck for my good friend Alastair Fisher when he slid wide and damaged the wheel on his car, allowing us to snatch 3rd overall at the last second! Not the way we wanted to do it, but rallying can be a cruel sport at times. This result leaves us lying third in the Irish Tarmac Championship, and Alastair sitting pretty at the top of the table. It's still early days, but it's shaping up to be an exciting finish to the season!
I know have a three week break to the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland. I'm going to try and knuckle down on my fitness and try and prepare as best I can, as I feel the tarmac rally's ahead are going to be the toughest in my British Rally Championship campaign. I have my twitter set up on my Blackberry now so you should notice the tweets coming more regular!
All the best
Craig
Back home after a really promising weekend in Killarney, for the Rally of the Lakes. The rally worked out perfect, we took Saturday steady in the tricky conditions, building confidence after the Circuit of Ireland crash, having a good go at Molls Gap, and we were 5th overall overnight. Sunday was better for us, the confidence was starting to come back. A fastest time over the famous Carragh Lake stage was a real boost for us, and with Tim McNulty exiting late in the day, we were satisfied with out 4th overall. However on the last stage, disaster struck for my good friend Alastair Fisher when he slid wide and damaged the wheel on his car, allowing us to snatch 3rd overall at the last second! Not the way we wanted to do it, but rallying can be a cruel sport at times. This result leaves us lying third in the Irish Tarmac Championship, and Alastair sitting pretty at the top of the table. It's still early days, but it's shaping up to be an exciting finish to the season!
I know have a three week break to the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland. I'm going to try and knuckle down on my fitness and try and prepare as best I can, as I feel the tarmac rally's ahead are going to be the toughest in my British Rally Championship campaign. I have my twitter set up on my Blackberry now so you should notice the tweets coming more regular!
All the best
Craig
Monday, 26 April 2010
Back on Form!
Hi All,
A good time was had in Turkey I must say! It was nice to go to a rally with no pressure and put the disappointment of the Circuit of Ireland behind us. We were having a great event, and lying 16th overall and leading the fiestas by 6 minutes on Saturday evening when a rear hub sheared bringing an end to a promising run. We ended up re-joining under SupeRally rules and finished second fiesta, but I was still happy with my pacenotes, and I am confident to return next year in the S2000.
And then the the toughest challenge, getting home! I hopped on the M-Sport coach home outside the Green Park hotel at 5pm on Monday and travelled non stop until I reached the shakedown for the Pirelli at 3pm on Thursday! It was an adventure travelling thru Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Belgium, France and finally Britain! I was wrecked tired and after shakedown we went and done the first day of recce straight away. Recce commenced again on Friday morning and the rally finally begun on Friday evening. Immediately there was a problem with dust, and running first on the road became a huge advantage, and we ended the evening 30 seconds off the lead. We had a good run all day Saturday pulling time from Gwyndaf Evans, all the way to the last stage where we had the gap whittled down to 4 seconds. I was quietly confident that we could do the business but 4 miles into the stage we got a puncture and dropped 3 mins. What made it all the more harder was that the leader stopped on the last stage, potentially giving us second or indeed a victory, but unfortunately it was not to be. However I was still very happy to be on the pace, and we set the majority amount of fastest times in the rally.
Next weekend we return to tarmac and possibly the most famous rally in Ireland, the Rally of the Lakes. Were running 3 on the road so no pressure!
Ill try and update again after the recce.
All the best
Craig
A good time was had in Turkey I must say! It was nice to go to a rally with no pressure and put the disappointment of the Circuit of Ireland behind us. We were having a great event, and lying 16th overall and leading the fiestas by 6 minutes on Saturday evening when a rear hub sheared bringing an end to a promising run. We ended up re-joining under SupeRally rules and finished second fiesta, but I was still happy with my pacenotes, and I am confident to return next year in the S2000.
And then the the toughest challenge, getting home! I hopped on the M-Sport coach home outside the Green Park hotel at 5pm on Monday and travelled non stop until I reached the shakedown for the Pirelli at 3pm on Thursday! It was an adventure travelling thru Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Belgium, France and finally Britain! I was wrecked tired and after shakedown we went and done the first day of recce straight away. Recce commenced again on Friday morning and the rally finally begun on Friday evening. Immediately there was a problem with dust, and running first on the road became a huge advantage, and we ended the evening 30 seconds off the lead. We had a good run all day Saturday pulling time from Gwyndaf Evans, all the way to the last stage where we had the gap whittled down to 4 seconds. I was quietly confident that we could do the business but 4 miles into the stage we got a puncture and dropped 3 mins. What made it all the more harder was that the leader stopped on the last stage, potentially giving us second or indeed a victory, but unfortunately it was not to be. However I was still very happy to be on the pace, and we set the majority amount of fastest times in the rally.
Next weekend we return to tarmac and possibly the most famous rally in Ireland, the Rally of the Lakes. Were running 3 on the road so no pressure!
Ill try and update again after the recce.
All the best
Craig
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Another blow..
Hi all,
I went to Dundalk last weekend, hoping to put the dissapointment of last weekend behind me and move on, but unfortunatly the worst happend. Whilst having a good run on SS3, we got caught out on a high speed section and had a fairly substancial accident. Fortunatly both myself and Gareth are fine, but the car is going to need some attention before its next outing at the Pirelli International rally.
However we are now conentrating our efforts on the WRC Rally of Turkey in two weeks. It's kind of excitng getting back into the ST car again after such a long absense, and I'm looking forward to getting going! Its a learning excersise with the hope being getting a good recce done so that we can retourn next year in the S2000 car, and be prepared. At the same time, it will still be a serious matter.
Keep an eye here as I'll update again soon!
All the best
Craig
I went to Dundalk last weekend, hoping to put the dissapointment of last weekend behind me and move on, but unfortunatly the worst happend. Whilst having a good run on SS3, we got caught out on a high speed section and had a fairly substancial accident. Fortunatly both myself and Gareth are fine, but the car is going to need some attention before its next outing at the Pirelli International rally.
However we are now conentrating our efforts on the WRC Rally of Turkey in two weeks. It's kind of excitng getting back into the ST car again after such a long absense, and I'm looking forward to getting going! Its a learning excersise with the hope being getting a good recce done so that we can retourn next year in the S2000 car, and be prepared. At the same time, it will still be a serious matter.
Keep an eye here as I'll update again soon!
All the best
Craig
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