French scrutineering

Now I know this has nothing to do with rallying, but it shows just what can be done with closed road events.  This is the French ‘Le Mans in June’ version of ‘Tobermory in October’.

Swap Mark Webber for Callum Duffy, swap Porsche for a Mk2, swap the town square for Tobermory Distillery and the formula could be applied anywhere. Take the sport to the people, rather than take the people to the sport.

Earlier this week, scrutineering for the French race showed just how huge this event is in its own right attracting crowds of thousands to the central square of the town for the annual techno-turbo-sealing, kicking tyres, wheel shoogling-fest. And the drivers embrace the event and the atmosphere too.

And isn’t the French weather just like Mull in October? Lessons could be learned, eh.

Rally - Summer Stages

The latest round of the Blackwood Plant Hire Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship gets under way at Crail at 8.00 am tomorrow morning (Sat 13th), with full entry list here:

http://www.jaggybunnet.co.uk/2015/06/12-jun-summer-stages-entry-list/

Road - AWD Transit

Another day, another van, this time it’s the latest from Ford, the Transit AWD. This is the latest model to join the ever expanding line-up. Modern production methods and production lines staffed by intelligent robots means that van manufacturers can ring the changes much more quickly and cost-efficiently than they could in the past. Hence this bewildering array of new metal we’re seeing right across the commercial vehicle industry.

In fact if you count the bodystyles and sizes, engines and transmissions, trims and finishes, the final count of Transit derivatives is not hundreds. It’s thousands!

Not intended to compete with Land Rovers and Landcruisers, this new four wheel drive Transit will nevertheless go where normal vans fear to tread. Think of it as front wheel drive with a rear axle and a prop shaft, plus some fancy electronics to ensure that the beast keeps moving even when the human element has given up hope.

A single press of the button on the dashboard activates the system with no need for secondary gear levers or diff locks. Even numpties need not fear muddy or snowy conditions, the electronics will take care of all that.

Apparently the demand for 4x4 vans has never been higher, so all van manufacturers are at it. That’s down to the severe winters we had a couple of years back and employers ‘Duty of Care’ to their van drivers. Also there is an increased demand from the utilities sector who need to get staff and kit to and from wind farm sites and mid-moorland electricity pylons, not to mention the growing need for welfare vans for those who work outdoors.

However, their need is our gain. In a couple of years time we’ll be able to buy service barges at  a knock-down price that can go anywhere – especially handy for those rallyists who are inextricably drawn to the deep and meaningful attraction of forestry ditches.

Rally - McRae On TV

On Friday evening (12th June) at 9.30pm, Motors TV will be showing their coverage of the 'McRae Rally Challenge', at Knockhill. It will be on Motors UK TV 447, Virgin 545, Freeview 240 and YouView 71 - and it’s to be shown all over Europeland too.

Taster link here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=dHevDgNrTN8

Rally - FHRs compulsory

Following a decision taken by Motor Sports Council yesterday (2nd June), the MSA has announced that as of 1 January 2016 an FIA-approved FHR will be mandatory for all Stage Rally competitors, except for those in Historic Category One vehicles, for whom it will be a recommendation in 2016 and mandatory from 2017.

It was also decided that from 1 January 2016 an FIA-approved FHR will be mandatory for all Hill Climb and Sprint competitors, except for those in Period Defined Vehicles, Road-going Series Production Cars and Road-going Specialist Production Cars. Nonetheless, it will be recommended for those excepted competitors.

The relevant new regulations – along with all others approved by Motor Sports Council yesterday – will be published in due course.

As for the photo, there is a strong recommendation that FHR’s be used with approved crash helmets for most effective protection – NOT woolly hats!

Rally - Wales Rally GB

The MSA has published the outline rally route and timetable for 2015 Wales Rally GB. Tickets are now on sale as of today.

http://www.jaggybunnet.co.uk/2015/06/10-jun-2015-rally-wales-info/

Whether you agree with it or, ticketing for Britain’s World Rally Championship counter is now a fact of life. However, some ticket prices are cheaper than last year while others have been held at the same price.

www.walesrallygb.com

Road - Italian exotica

Propelled by a 3 litre, twin turbo, 4 cylinder engine producing 205 hp and stopped by ventilated discs all round. Controlled by a Maserati 8 speed full auto box with 'Power' mode. Aerodynamically efficient bodywork and running on 16 inch rims shod with Michelin Agilis+ tyres. Desirable? Interested? Oh, I nearly forgot, it's got leaf springs all round!

Track day potential? Undoubtedly, but for all the wrong reasons.