DUKERIES RALLY 2023
Opening the 2023 calendar for the SpeakerFilters.com rally team was the Dukeries Rally at Donington Park on 20th March. Sponsored by Northside Truck and Van Hire and very well organised and operated by the Dukeries Motor Club, the 55 miles of stage miles are based on a mixture of the main circuit and some of the infield roads and peripheral service roads. The off-circuit elements are largely tricky, twisty and narrow in nature contrasting significantly with the wide-open spaces of the main race circuit.
The car ran faultlessly through the day with the crew
gradually learning each other on their first event together. A few minor
navigating errors and one minor driver error that resulted in a limited
damage brush with a tyre wall didn't dampen the spirits as much as the
water standing on the tarmac for the first couple of stages. Once a
couple of stages were completed and the surfaces started to dry, the
team got into the swing of things and started to enjoy the event.
Individual stages times improved through the day too with 25th, 29th
(the stage with the minor indescretion), 20th, 19th, 18th and 16th
fastest times. These improvements added up to 20th overall and 5th in
class from a 90 car entry. Both Tim and Neil were very pleased with a
solid outcome on their debut event together.
A huge thank you
to Mike and Matt for looking after the car all day and of course to the
organisers, marshals, officials, rescue crews, emergency crews,
Donington Park circuit staff for a superbly run event.
Event report here.
Full results here.
Next event: Lookout Stages, 9 April 2023 at Melbourne Airfield near York
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Pleased with our first result together |
INTRODUCTION
Introducing the www.speakerfilters.com supported rally team.
We first supported Tim Baker in his Talbot Sunbeam for the Mully Rally in October 2022. Since then we've confirmed support for Tim and Neil for the 2023 season including their assault on the Heart of England Stage Rally Championship. The pair are also competing in the www.asoc.co.uk Challenge sponsored by Ex-pressed Steel Panels and Neil is registered for the Broughton & Bretton Motor Club co-drivers' championship.
Car Details
Shell: Talbot Sunbeam 3-door hatchback with Series 2 lights and grille. Modifications include seam-welding, weld-in roll cage and alloy wheel arches
Engine: 2481cc Millington XE, Simpson custom exhaust
Transmission: Sadev 6 speed sequential, rear wheel drive, 4-link Atlas axle with limited slip differential
Suspension: Proflex
Brakes: AP Racing
Wheels: 15" diameter Revolution. 7" width for wet tyres, 8" width for dry tyres
Equipment: Cobra seats, Stilo intercom, plumbed in fire extinguisher