Click here to go to Adrian's own website, where you can see a complete report on the event .

Following a manic July, which featured a stage rally at Colerne, a 2nd in class at the Castle Combe sprint and a day 'on display' with Craven Motor Club at the Rally Car Day, we've had a quiet couple of months. A rude awakening was in store though at the end of September with a 73 mile stage rally on the punishing tarmac of RAF Caerwent. With Martin and Claire away getting married in Vegas, our service crew took on a new look and was a bit light on experience…

A very early start was required since our scrutineering slot was 6:40 a.m. As it was still dark at this time, we were glad of having visited Caerwent earlier this year as this meant we knew where to go. Dawn was breaking as we returned to the service area, by which time our 'new' service crew had done a great job of setting up. With fine dry weather forecast, we looked forward to a tough day's rallying.

Some of the roads used were familiar to us from the previous event, but due to excellent facilities available here, many new roads were also used. We completed stage one without incident, unlike many other crews who ended up taking an early bath. The roads at Caerwent are narrow and mostly bordered by kerbstones - a combination that punishes the slightest mistake.

On stage two we had a lucky escape. Exiting a square 90 left, we ran a bit wide and caught the front wheel on the end of a kerb. Despite a huge bang and jolt through the steering, all appeared to still be working. After a period of cautious progress, checking the steering and brakes were generally OK, we pressed on without any obvious side effects. Back in service the damage was surveyed - nothing more than a nasty gouge in the rim, but not a mark on the tyre! Apart from this incident, we didn't need to lay a hand on the Fendeck-supported 205 all day.

On most of the stages, each averaging about 11 miles, we managed to catch the 106 Rallye that had started 30 seconds ahead of us. This was mainly thanks to our superior braking performance, but we were unable to pass them on the faster, more flowing roads in the last couple of miles of the stage. This might have cost us a few seconds per stage, but nothing to get too stressed about. On the last stage we caught them a bit earlier but were unable to capitalise on them running off the road temporarily, as we wrong slotted in all the confusion!

We ended the day having climbed from a start position of 82 to 44th overall. In class A, up to 1400cc, we finished 5th of the 12 starters, with an impressive 10 cars actually making it to the end.

With just one round of the CMSG Championship left - Longcross in December - Adrian is lying 4th in Class A and an amazing 5th overall. This just goes to show what can be achieved with a near standard car, careful preparation and sensible, but committed driving.

Unfortunately, this was to be Sue's swansong - travel sickness having dominated her short, but successful, rally career. Interested in stepping up to the challenge? Please get in touch with us via Adrian@ASJMotorsport.co.uk for more details.

After signing-on, we studied the road book. This detailed the 7 stages that were all over 10 miles long without the need for any splits. This is one very impressive venue for multi-use stage rallies.

We duly checked into MTC 1 on time at 09:33. Stage 1 was completed without incident, but this did reinforce how physically demanding the stages were going to be. Virtually all the corners are 90 degrees and with the bulk of the stage having kerbs at the side of the narrow roads. Typically, we only managed to select 4th gear a handful of times per 10 mile stage!

We had a few electrical 'distractions' during the next couple of stages. First the trip computer died - easily fixed with more robust wiring. Next the ignition light came on, the trip computer malfunctioned and the entire dashboard went haywire. This took more effort to fix, but was tracked down to a faulty hi-level brake light! Apart from these niggles, the car ran faultlessly all day during this, its first real test.

Martin and Claire kept both the car and crew fed and watered throughout the event. A big thanks to them for providing the professional backup and service facilities essential to success in this sport.

We finished stage 7 in 41^st position overall from 82 starters. In class 1, up to 1400cc, we came in 9^th out of 14. Congratulations go to Peter Lloyd/Bob Rose (Metro 6R4) who won the event outright and Evan Jones/Kath Curzon (Darrian T9) who won class 1.

This was to be a real event of firsts... but alas not where the results were concerned! It was the first rally in the new Fendeck Peugeot 205, the first rally with front wheel drive, the first rally without Martin navigating, the first time Kevin had co-driven...

Saturday's weather was windy and wet, but Sunday promised better. First car started at twelve midday, with our start due just over half an hour later. Day 1 was made up of 5 stages with service after stages 2 and 5, followed by parc fermé.

The stages were wet and slippery and featured a few sections of smooth gravel. Adrian was pleased with the car's performance and amazed himself with how natural front wheel drive rallying felt! The format of the rally meant there was quite a lot of 'hanging around' in the middle of nowhere between stages - not ideal given the inclement weather conditions.

The car was given a quick check over in the final 15-minute service prior to being secured for the overnight parc fermé. We packed up the van and headed home to dry off, warm up and get some sleep in readiness for leg 2.

Congratulations to Simon Allen/Clive Mitchelmore (Metro 6R4) who won the event outright and Neil Weaver/James Bailey (Anglia) winners in class A.

 ASJ MotorSport

www.ASJMotorSport.co.uk