FUCHS at the Nicky Grist Rally
Report on Nicky Grist rally July 10th 2021
The 2021 BTRDA rally championship got underway in Wales on Saturday 10th July.
There were 2 FUCHS backed crews taking part – Pat Naylor/Ian Lawrence (Mitsubishi Evo 9) and Ian Joel/Graeme Wood (Ford Escort Cosworth) on this well supported event – A total of 170 crews set off on Saturday morning to tackle 8 stages of mid Wales forests before returning to the Builth Wells showground in the early evening.
The organisers had gone to incredible lengths to ensure the rally was covid-secure – paperless documentation and results, social distancing, one way systems, limited numbers of marshals and officials – just so the rally could be permitted to take place within the Welsh government framework of restrictions, and everyone associated with the event is to be congratulated on the smooth running of the event after an absence of nearly 18 months of competition.
Pat Naylor / Ian Lawrence (Mitsubish Evo 9)
The Naylor / Lawrence combo got off to a flying start, with four top-fifteen times on the first loop of stages, however, their brilliant run came to nought as they were forced to retire with mechanical gremlins at first service. This was a dreadful blow, as the pair were immediately on the pace and running as high as 10th before being forced out.
Their next event is scheduled to be the Scottish rally in two weeks’ time, when we wish them better luck.
Ian Joel / Graeme Wood (Ford Escort Cosworth)
This was the duo’s 2nd event of the year – they had been invited to compete on the M Sport rally the previous weekend held within the Greystoke forest complex in north Cumbria, and were making a good account of themselves amongst the entirely Ford badged entry until a spindle broke inside the throttle body and the grub screw disappeared in to engine internals, leading to instant retirement.
A frantic engine rebuild in the following week saw the pair make it to the start line of the Nicky Grist just in time to run on the first round of the BTRDA rally championship. With an untested engine, the crew set off quite modestly on the first run at the four stages in the opening leg, but were quite surprised at how cut up the stage surfaces were by the 30 entries in the British championship who ran at the head of the field.
A trouble free run saw them back in service, happy with their run, but knowing there was still more to come. The second run at the loop felt better, and the pair recorded 3 out of 4 top fifteen times. Ian was particularly pleased with their run through Monument; “That was a good stage for us – It hadn’t cut up as badly as some of the others, and I could get a real feel for how the car was behaving. The front (suspension) was a bit soggy and we bottomed out a few times, so we can improve that for next time” was Ian’s considered opinion at the finish. The crew eventuall placed 14th (out of 170 starters) and 11th in class B13, with 35 starters.
“We are so grateful for the support we get from FUCHS, it makes a real difference to us in the season when we’re doing rebuilds and upgrades on the engine.” Ian said afterwards.
