THE PHIL COLLINGS MEMORIAL SOUTH DOWNS STAGES

[justracing]

Sat Dec 2nd Goodwood circuit
Entry list https://mtc1.uk/Entry/SouthDowns23/EntryList.php
http://www.southdownsstages.co.uk/spectators.html
https://www.facebook.com/southdownsstagesrally
Good entry as usual, might well be a tad chilly this year

[BertMk2]

I went down and watched last year (with my dog ) - definitely chilly.

This year I've bagged a last minute ride - I've crossed to the other side of the awning it's the red Escort for me this time. The car has had a lot of work done after a big off at Clacton so this is very much a shakedown for the car.

[justracing]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

I went down and watched last year (with my dog ) - definitely chilly.

This year I've bagged a last minute ride - I've crossed to the other side of the awning it's the red Escort for me this time. The car has had a lot of work done after a big off at Clacton so this is very much a shakedown for the car.

Saw you on the entry list car no.8 with Tim Mewett, go well. Hope to catch up but might not stand still too long!

[BertMk2]

We had a good day Successful shakedown for the car, it performed well all day, a couple of niggles: once we'd got the spotlights on we were having some problems with keeping the electrics 100%. The intercom wasn't brilliant either - crystal clear for me but Tim had static all day and struggled to hear me at times, likely an issue with his helmet but that's out of homologation at the end of the year anyway.

The first couple of stages were very slippy with the frost on the circuit and the last two in the dark started to see the frost return and fog descending down towards Lavant (that had mist in the morning as well - bright sunshine up by the paddock, mist at Lavant). The biggest 'moment' we had all day was running the wrong way through Madgwick (stage 3 or 4) - turns out flat in 6th is a bit optimistic!

We were having trouble with the live timing all day so we didn't really have much of an idea of how we were getting on - very surprised to have won the class and by such a big margin. The 306 was mighty impressive, we let it past on one stage, we followed it into a bus stop - the brakes on that thing are phenomonal (not to mention the way it changes direction). I managed to watch a bit of the action as well by nipping up onto the roof of the pits after we came back in from stages.

Must also give a shout out to the marshals - they must have been freezing!

[justracing]

Well done Jeepers that was bl..dy cold! Didn't see your faux pas at Madgwick, thought the car looked good all day but that Peugot was quick! Yeah the live timing was all over the shop for most of the day but a great result and class win . Great event once again, must make for a very long day for you guys.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by justracing

Well done Jeepers that was bl..dy cold! Didn't see your faux pas at Madgwick, thought the car looked good all day but that Peugot was quick! Yeah the live timing was all over the shop for most of the day but a great result and class win . Great event once again, must make for a very long day for you guys.

Thanks hope you've thawed out now!

It is a long day - i was up at 3:45 and got home at 22:30

[BertMk2]

Some photos from the event here (not mine obviously ):

https://www.pistonphoto.co.uk/south-...-2023-goodwood

[justracing]

Some great moody pics there, really shows the atmosphere of the event