GRIFFIN-MOTORSPORT

Emerald stages

18/2/2007

First event of the year for Griffin-motorsport, We were all looking forward to seeing what the new 106 gti rally car could do.

Weather condition : cold but fine

We got set up and waited for the first stage, looking around the service area there was lots of big names and fast cars. The Irish boys were back over for the event so it should be a good one.

On the limit were covering all the action of the day and will be showing the action on men & motors and motors tv soon

First stage and we were off, the 106 was very fast and took a little while to get to grips but we have a good start.

Stage two went even better getting the hang of the new car we put in some very good times.

Stage 3 off to a good start but disaster strikes the gear linkage brakes and the car gets stuck in 2nd gear but we get round and finish the stage, back in to service and all hands on deck to fix a broken rose joint, we have to weld it back together and sort it out in the knick of time to get out for stage 4.

All going well as we put in some good times but on the last stage fuel preasure drops and the engine is down on power but we finish.

What a great day and 2nd in class on our first rally with our new car.

Finish 25 overall and 2nd in class

Award for 2nd in class

Rally of kent

CANCELED

Twyford woods

08/04/2007

Weather condition : Hot and sunny

Twyford woods is 7 miles from Grantham and is a old army run way and service roads in a wood, The stages were set out on the service roads and were bumpy, covered in dust and loose gravel.

We got there nice and early and got set up for the day,Damian and Ashley came and serviced for us, we desided to start on gravel tyres as the stages were cover in gravel.

First stage and we were off, we found the stages very bumpy in places but good fun. We put in a good time and were 2nd in class.

Stage 2 and we were going to try for first in class so we tryed hard but half way round we lost fuel pressure and power, we got to the end but we lost lots of time.

Stage 3 and 4 we changed the tyres to tarmac tyres as we got a lot of understear with the gravel tyres, we found them so much better but the fuel pressure was still down so we still lost more time.

Last 4 stages were much the same we tryed to fix the fuel problem but could not find the cause so we had to run down on power. We also go a punchure on stage 6 and had to drive 2 miles to the end of stage.

not a good day but we did have fun and finished.

Thanks to damien and ashley for helping out

Finished 18th overall and 5th in class

Malcom watson spring stages

15/04/2007

Weather conditions : foggy to start then clears to a hot and sunny day.

The fog was thick on the way up to the venue but we made it in good time and set up next to CANADA GARAGE who saved us a spot and helped with service.

The venue was at sculthorpe in norfolk.

Sculthorpe is a m.o.d. airfield still used for training, this place is huge with 2 runways and lots of slip roads and roads round the buildings.

The rally was 6 stages and we were hoping to do well as the car was fixed and ready for battle.

The rally was delayed by 1 hour because of the thick fog which soon lifted and the sun came out.

First stage and we were off to a flying start putting in a good time and 3rd in class.

Second stage and it was now getting hot, farster on this stage as we put in another great time and move up into 2nd in class. We were looking good and were only 34 seconds away from the leader.

Third stage still hot and all going well until we push alittle to hard and have a spin and hit a couple of cones only just missing a bail but we get it back with no damage and carry on, Then the fuel pressure drops and we loose power and lots of time and 2nd place. NO !!!!!!

Back in service and a mad dash to fit a new pump to cure the fuel pressure problem, its changed in the nic of time and we are back out hopeing its fixed

Fourth stage and its 18 miles long and getting hotter. We try really hard to make some time back and it works we are 45 seconds quiker than the leader and we move back in to 2nd.

There was a 1 hour lunch brake and we set the bbq up and sit on the grass in the sun what a great day.

Stage 5 and 6 and we go for it, we have got to make 2 mins 48 secs to make up to catch the leader thats a lot of time. We put in some great times taking alot of time of the leader.

We get packed up and wait for the finals to see how we did, A great effort but we finish 2nd in class only 41 secs behined the leader. Great result and another trophy for the team.

Great day and lovely weather.

Cheers to damien and ashley for service and CANADA GARAGE

2nd in class 11 overall

Chris Rees Millbrook Stage Rally

28/05/07

Weather conditions : Heavy rain all day long

The Chris Rees rally is held at Millbrook testing ground in Bedfordshire, The test track has a high speed bowl for testing top speeds and handleing of cars, a mile strait, cambered corners that go up and down hills, an off road cource, gradient hills and suspention tests. The track is used by most car companys for testing there cars plus many prototypes are tested here, many tv programs about cars are filmed here, they also test lorrys here and the police train here.

The day started early loading the car up at Langley Park Rally School in the rain, We arrived at millbrook and set up for the rally ahead. The team got ready for the 1st stage cutting some Grooves in to our slick tyres to help us get some grip in the heavy rain.

The first stage and we were off, The track was very slippery and there was lots of standing water, So we took a causess start and finished 4th inclass and 21st overall.

The second and third stages and we pick the speed up to put in some good time putting us 3rd in class and 20th overall.

Fourth stage and we set off to a good start until we have to slow down because a Nissan micra had hit a armco barrier and was half on the track. 

Stage five and the rain was now even heavier but we were still pushed hard, until the second to last corner we hit a kurb stone on the inside of the corner which punctured the tyre, so we limp round the rest of the track and change it at service.

stages six, seven and eight and we push hard with the rain still falling and put in some great time finishing 2nd in class but more importantly finishing with max points for the AEMC championship putting us level first overall

Great day if it did rain all day

2nd in class  17th overall

The Abingdon Car-nival Stage Rally

10/6/2007

Weather ; hot and sunny

The Abingdon stages rally was held in Abingdon in Oxford, The rally was on a airfield still used for training by the m.o.d.

The event is a 2 day event all for charity it is split in to a sprint rally, a stage rally, a off road event and solo event.

The stage rally event that we were doing had 100 entrys and 90 stage miles.

The team got to Abingdon on the saturday just in time to see the last of the sprint races, we set up and got the paper work done ready for the action on sunday.

The sunday started early with 100 cars to get through.

We started car 67 and were soon on the track, it was a very fast event using the big runways and side roads.

We put in some good times on the first and second stages and found we were 5th in class and 37 overall not bad as there was a lot of very  fast cars on the track.

Stage 3 and 4 and we push even harder to see if we can move up in our class, the sun was getting hotter and hotter, we put so great times in and finish stage 4 only 2 seconds away from the 4th place and move up to 33 overall.

Stage 5 and 6 and the its getting hotter, we try our hardest to take some time out of the 4th place and by the end of stage 6 we have done it and moved up in to 4th in class with 2 stages left and 12 seconds to get in to 3rd place.

Last stages and we go out all guns blazing and try for a top 3 win, the car goes great and we finish the event very warm and tired.

We pack up and wait for the final results, We did it and came 3rd in class and 24th overall.

thanks to damien and ash for servicing and a great day.

3rd in class 24th overall

The Dukeries

16/6/2007

WEATHER : Rain and flooding.

This was going to be the first time the team had rallyed in the forest and they were all a little nurvous about the day ahead.

The Dukeries rally is located in some of Sherwood forest near the north of Nottingham.

The Rally start was at Southwell racecourse early on the 16th, The race course had flooded over night and one of the stages had to be cancled because it was flooded.

The rally started out side the race course on the service road where we collected our times and headed off to the first stage.

We arived at the first stage, it was still raining, we got our helmets on and got ready for the off. We all took a deep breath and we were off in to the forest, we found that it was very wet and muddy with not alot of grip so we took it easy, we soon got in to the swing of thing and really enjoyed it and finished the first stage.

Second and thirt stages were more mud and water but we were getting to grips with it now and putting in some good times moving from 14th in class up to 7th after the third stage.

The fourth stage was more mud and the rain was now very heavy, we set off looking to improve our places but we had a little moment coming down a long strait in ti a 90 right, Bracking for the corner we hit a puddel which put the car in to a spin luckly we missed all the trees and came to rest in the middle of the corner with no damage. We both started breathing again and started off again and finished with no more insidents.

Stage 5 and we were now 6th in class, we tryed real hard to improve on the 6th we had so pushed hard, flat out in the car doing about 85 down a very long strait we come over the top of a hill and as we do the car hits a big pot hole with the real wheel, This puts the back of the car up into the air so much that the front bumper hits the floor, As the car lands it is pointing towards the trees (not much fun at 85 mph) so brett fights to get control of the car, The car snakes from one side to the other and we both hold our breath but brett gets it back in a strait line again.

Stage 6 and we are still 6th in class so we are going to go for it on the last stage of the day, Stage 6 is a re run of stage 4, The track is still slippy and because its the second time through there are some ruts apearing on the corner where the car have been but all goes well and we finish 4th in class.

The team really enjoyed the forest stage and cant wait for the next one. great day !

4th in class 56th overall

Essex charity stages

01/07/07

Weather ; Rain and sun shine.

Essex charity stages is held at Bradwell on sea, The stages are made up of airfield,farm tracks,private roads and gravel tracks. The event raises lots of money for the ESSEX AIR AMBULANCE.

The team left on the saturday afternoon for Bradwell and were going to stay at a camp site the night, We arrived at the camp site in the rain and set the tents up. We then went down the local pub for dinner and a chat.

Damien rigden who usually services for us was going to be driving his dads proton in the rally tomorrow with his dad co-driving for him. We all went back to our tents and settled down for the night with the rain still coming down.

The day started early with all the team setting up for the day ahead, The rain was still falling and it was looking like a very wet one.

Both car get checked over and prepare for the rally ahead, some of the stages are canceled and we are advised that the stages are very slippy and wet.

First stage is on a farmers track mostly grass and mud then on to a bumpy lane, We set of and find there is hardly any grip so we take it easy until we get on to the lane and push hard.

Second,Third and fourth stages are set out on a airfield next to the power station, The going is hard and very slippy with lots of standing water and mud. We have a couple of slides on the mud but get through.

Fifth, sixth and seventh stages were over at a local farm on some of the farm tracks mostly gravel and grass, we push on and find that it is still very slippy and wet but the sun is coming out.

Next it was service and a quick check over the car, new tyres and a bite to eat, We catch up with Damien to find out he is doing well. We find out that we are 4th in class so we need to make some time up.

Eighth, ninth and tenth stages are a re run of 5,6 and 7, we put our foot down to make some time up, finding its still very slippy but we finish and make up some time putting us 3rd in class.

Last stages were back on the airfield, we were going to push hard to try get some more time back, all goes well and we put in some good time but on the last stage we cut a corner and the wing mirror hits a post and shatters but we keep pushing on.

After the stage we look at the damage but its only the wing mirror we have lost, The results come through and we fine we are 2nd in class 13th overall.

Damien had a good day to finishing 6th in class 20th overall.

Cheers to Ash and Rob for service and Langley park rally school.

good day for griffin-motorsport even with the weather so bad.

2nd in class 13 overall

The Team Tempest rally sprint

 16/7/07

Weather ; sunny with a few showers

The event was held at bramley barracks near bassingstoke.  The barracks is still used as a training ground for the mod. The day started early with Brett driving and Damien driving his proton n'duro car.

As this was a rally sprint it is a set course agains the clock with only the driver no co-driver to tell him where to go. The course was over 3 miles and started on dissused service roads then over a hump back bridge and then on to loose gravel to the finish.

We all got ready for 2 practice laps to get used to the track, the course was very narrow and with trees both sites, The hump back bridge was very steep and you didnt have to go very fast to jump the bridge, The gravel was very dusty and loose in places.

The practice laps went ok and we were looking forward to the 3 timed laps.

First timed lap and i was off, trying to remember where the course went, first time over the bridge and i took it easy, on to the gravel and there was not a lot of grip but i finished 3th in class.

Second timed run and i was going to go for it, go start through the tight and twisty first part, up to the bridge and i took it about 45 mph and the car left the ground and flow about 15 meters it felt like for ever in the air, on to the gravel and i was set for a really good time but then the clutch goes and i get stuck in 2nd gear but i finish.

Back in service and we have a look and try to fix the car but the clutch was broken so i could not do the last timed run.

Damien did well and finished in class

 Finished 4th in class and 16th overall

The Hutton kitchens Woodbrige stages

 15/10/07

This was a new event that had never been run before. It was held at woodbridge barracks near ipswich, the barracks is still used by the american army.

The rally stages were set out on the old run way areas not used any more only for training, the stages were set up around the control tower buildings and run way, with one part going through a over grown holding area, this area was covered in 6 foot tall trees growing through the cracks in the tarmac.

We arived early and set up with Rob Springthorp and Rob Clark servicing for us.

We got ready for the first stage and were told to take it easy in the holding area as there was some mud on the corners.

first stage and we were off taking it a bit easy as most of the track was a bit slippy where it had not been used, All goes ok and we check the times and we are 3rd in class.

 second,third and forth stages all go ok with some slidding on the mud coming out of one of the corners but no damage, Still 3rd in class with only 12 seconds to catch the leader.

After a short lunch stop for the marshals we set of again, We deside we are going to give it our all and go for the win so we push hard on 5 put in a great time and become 1st in class by 5 seconds.

stage 6 and we push hard again to extend our lead, All going well the we come round the corner to find a nova in the middle of the track on its roof, we slow down to see if they are ok and are waved on by the marshals saying they are both ok. Another great time now we are 39 seconds clear at the front.

Stage 7 and 8 and we go all out to keep our lead all goes well but we did klip a tree in the holding area and take the wing mirror off but keep it going to the end.

We clear up and wait for the results to go final and find that we keeped our lead in class and were 1 min 32 sec clear at the top, great day and we pick up our award.

15th overall  1st inclass

Rockingham stages

8th and 9th dec

Weather ; rain and high winds, very cold.

This is our last rally of the year and the final event in the AEMC championship, held at Rockingham raceway in corby.

The track is a oval track designed for nasa and champ cars and a track in the center designed for touring cars, we were to use a bit of both tracks and some service roads.

The event was to be a 2 day event with 2 stages on the sat and 2 in the dark on sat night, Then on the sunday 6 stages with the last stage in the dark again.

We got set up and got ready for the off, the rain was hard and we had to get our tyres cut to help get ride of some of standing water on the track.

First stage and we got to the start line with the rain still hammering down, we were of and we took it alittle carefully because of the standing water, we enter a fast right hand corner and hit a puddle half way round the bend sending the back of the car in to a slid but we control it and carry on, we found it really hard going and with lots of slides and over shots on braking but we finish.

Back in the pits and we cut some more tread into the tyres and let the preasures down to try and get some more grip, Stage 2 and no change to the weather and the tyres are still not gripping in the water so we take it carefully and finish no very good times though.

Stage 3 and 4 are in the dark so we put the lamp pod on the car and change the tyres round to see if it will help. We set off in the dark still with the rain tipping it down have a couple of slides but finish.

We clear up and wait for the result, not to good we are 59th overall and 6th in class, we go and have dinner and talk about how we can get some more grip for tomorrow.

Day 2

The rain has slowed to a light drizle and the wind has died down, we set about getting some more grip, we change all 4 tyres for some super soft tyres to get some more grip and lower the pressure in them.

First stage and what a diffrence the tyres grip and some of the water has gone so we push hard to make some time up, all goes well and we are back in service for a refuel.

Stage 2 and 3 go really well and we are putting in some good times taking 35 seconds from yesterdays stages, all going well and some great times moves us up in to 4th in class.

Stage 4 and we are still pushing hard, all going well until we catch a 205 and go to over take coming in to a haipin, braking hard we pass him but we hit a patch of oil on the corner which spins us out and in to some cones, we get going again with no damage and finish 3rd in class with 37 seconds to make up to move in to 2nd.

Stage 5 and we push really hard hoping to make some time up and move us up in to 2nd, all goes well and a great time we take 19 seconds out of him so we have 18 seconds to make up on the last stage.

Last stage and its in the dark again we are going to give it our all and see if we can finish 2nd in class, we go for it and pull out all the stops and finish.

We wait for the results to see if we did it and we smash our time and take 39 seconds out of the car in front putting us 2nd in class.

What a good end to the year and we have won the AEMC championship by 64 points but have got to wait till april for awards to be given out.

what a great year Griffin-motorsport have had, hope to keep it up in 2008.

33rd overall 2nd in class