More Autumn Trial Pictures.

http://grahamwhiting62.fotopic.net/c1376085.html not sure if they are before or after the ones that were already there.

Bought Four Rally Cars!!!!

I bought four genuine works rally cars yesterday on ebay. Not sure that the spares are going to be any use for Saffie as they are matchbox scale models, but I couldn't resist them. Need to look for a transporter now.................

Got the official trial results in the post today. We finished in the top half and fourth in class. However Lauren and I have worked out that we won. You see it was a PRODUCTION car trial, so we removed all the specials and kit cars that beat us, the Citroen AX that beat us had modified suspension, the VW beetle had 1300 badges and an 1800 engine, the other Skoda had a Felicia fuel injection engine in it and the Midget that beat us had a hydraulic handbrake and low ratio differential. So we were the first production car and we won! If you can't beat them change the results.

Seriously though we are quite pleased. I was expecting to get soundly beaten by the other Skoda as it's driver has much more trialing experience than me, but they only beat us by four points. Considering we had the abortive 11 on the first section of the day and they scored 5 on the same section we did pretty well. so if he can complete the Classic trials, Exeter Trial here we come. Unfortunately the Edinburgh has been cancelled because of the foot and mouth situation, hope the Hardy and the Exeter go ahead.

Well we did the MG Car Club Autumn Trial today. Not certain where we finished, but it was great fun. The pictures are all at http://grahamwhiting62.fotopic.net . Cleared four of the sections but had a disatrous first hill where the first two gates were far too tight for a Skoda's turning circle. The other Skoda competing got through by using his handbrake to turn it, I tried to use power to bring the back round but didn't stand a chance. I am amazed at how well Saffie climbed the hills. If you keep the revs at about 2000rpm she just carries on up. has fantastic amounts of traction too so combining the traction, pulling power and some momentum she went most places I expectd her to and more. I am hoping to get some video from the day too and when I do I'll get it up on here too.

Forgot to post after last weeks Witney Motor Club 12 car rally. We came second. Better than we have done in the Impreza in the past and much more fun as I don't worry about having to keep the car in one piece for work the next day. Had a couple of moments and got it all sideways, but it is easy to control and there is plenty of time to catch it. Mike (my Navigator) had been ill all week and wasn't at his best, but even then we did ok. had to clean the fuel filter out at the first time control as it was blocked. I guess eventually all the crap from the old tanks will get pulled through and emptied out, but its annoying keep having to clear it out. Mind you i am much happier with the Skoda tanks rather than the Beetle one that was in the front.

I'll try and get some pictures and video at the trial and post them here.

Got the final instructions for MGCC autumn trial today and I won't be the only Skoda! Another Estelle is entered, belongs to Nigel Jones who I have exchanged messages with on one of the Skoda forums. Will be good to put a face to the name. I am planning to change the gearbox oil tomorrow. That means I have to take the sump guard off to get to the drain plug but that only takes 20 minutes or so. Will also be having a good look round in preparation for her first proper trial!

Went to see my local Skoda 'specialist' today. Guy called Vern who runs a little garage business on the edge of Northamptonshire. There was a Rapid coupe outside, two more in the workshop and a convertible being rebuilt. Loads of spares and loads of knowledge. He had a good look over the car and declared it sound. I bought a full instrument panel off of him with all the dials in. Hope the speedo and fuel gauge work as that's what I need. Whole lot for £10.

Forthcoming Plans

I bought it to do the Lands End Trial next Easter. In preparation I have entered the MG Car Club Midland Cemtre Autumn Trial. this is a non damaging grass event at Burton Dasset on 23rd September and will be a great test of my skill and Saffie's ability. Lauren has agreed to passenger for me on trials but is a bit aprehensive about rally navigation, and I must admit, it's not easy. I have got all the entry information for the Exeter trial and I think we will probably enter in Class 0, which is an easier and less demanding version of the full event. that will make a useful introduction to classic trials for me, Saffie and Lauren. I would also like to enter the Hardy Trial, but I am not certain that I will get an entry as I am struggling to contact the organisers.

Grass autotest

I keep saying it looks faster on the video than it really was, but actually it was reasonably quick and I think I came 5th overall.

I bought a Skoda

Well i went and did it. Found a Skoda Estelle 130 LSE on ebay and I bought it for £371. Got it home and it was every bit as good as I expected. Built by Ted Holloway as a trials car and only used once by him. he used it for thre Ilkley Trial and decided that although it was adequate he much prefers his two seat open special.

I drove it home across south east London, through the Blackwall Tunnel, out on the North Circular to the M11, round the M25 to the M40 and then up the A41 to home. It never missed a beat and kept up with the traffic. It came stuffed full of spares and when I got it home I fitted the sump guard, changed it back to the original Skoda petrol tank and got rid of the beetle one that had been put under the front and changed the oil. Then I added a new distributor cap and rotor arm as the old ones were knackered.

So far I have done a grass autotest and a 12 car rally in it. Both went well and it has performed OK. Had some fuel starvation problems as it picks up the rust from inside the old Skoda tanks but I can get the fuel filter out, cleaned and in again in a couple of minutes.