Woodpecker Woes For Marshall
05/09/2006
Following a long summer break, Seb was back in competition on the Woodpecker Stages, the 8th round of the BTRDA Championship.
Once again partnering David Bogie in the 1400cc Vauxhall Nova, the pairing had a good start to the day with 2nd fastest times through Stage 1 & 2, giving a 21 second advantage to Carwyn Harries in 3rd.
Through SS3 in Haye Park Wood, the young team lost 5 seconds to Julian Wilkes, giving a 19 second cushion going into service. The unusual lack of pace was later traced to a large amount of mud getting into the rear brakes, causing the car to drive as though the handbrake was on!
After a long delay, the crew started Stage 4, through 13 miles of the classic Welsh test, Radnor. Horrendous conditions greeted the drivers, and after passing both Wilkes and Harries parked up in stage, the pace was eased. Despite this, a driveshaft failure still ensued, and after crawling for 3 miles, with just 2 remaining before service, the rally came to an end.
Reaching a very muddy, steep uphill hairpin left proved too much for one wheel drive, and the downbeat pair were forced to park the car.
"It was really gutting to retire after another great run." commented Seb "After seeing both Julian and Carwyn out, we really backed off, so much so that I thought we had a puncture! I guess it just wasn't meant to be."
The young duo will be looking to bounce back in three weeks time on the penultimate round of the championship, the Plains Rally.
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