RAC Rally 2014 (photoheavy)

[reworht]

Spent a couple of very enjoyable hours at Croft Racing Circuit this morning watching a load of guys thrashing the pants of some quite old, but still very potent rally cars. Whilst the cars, and many of the drivers, are no longer in the first flush of youth - they do NOT poodle around the circuit. Full throttle, opposite lock Ford Escorts, powering around a sopping wet tarmac surface - brilliant entertainment for the entry cost of a tenner. Excellent spectating, but a rubbish photography day - too far away from the action, dark, chucking it down, misty, murky - and as it's a racing circuit, we had to stay behind the catch fencing. I did consider going up to Kielder Forest for a bit more close-up action, but I suspect it would be feet deep in clingy mud after the past few days - so that's my excuses for the poor quality of most of the photos
Hopefully. they still give a flavour of what I reckon is some if the best legal motorsport fun you can have

Some of the competitors arriving at the stage start


Lancia Fulvia


Ford Cortina MkI GT


Ford Escort MkI


Porsche 911


Volvo PV544


Fiat 125S

Some of the cars on the stage (for those of you who know Croft, we were standing on the grass banking at Hawthorn)


Saab 96 2 stroke (you can tell from the angle he was trying !)


Another Saab 96




Two of the multitudinous MkII Escorts


Star of the show - a genuine Lancia Stratos, with a Ferrari 24 valve, 248bhp engine

[coolcat]

Looks like a terrific day out you had Rod, thanks for sharing with us

I do like watching Croft on the TV, it's one of those circuits on my 'To Do' list along with Oulton Park and Knockhill in Scotland

[A19_Graham]

Come to croft Jeff,

Fit some speakers, and partake in the local Toby :P

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

Come to croft Jeff,

Fit some speakers, and partake in the local Toby :P

I like your thinking

[A19_Graham]

Originally Posted by coolcat

I like your thinking

Well, Col has got the head unit and fin etc fitted, so its only really speaker upgrade, maybe sub and a power socket to the boot now

Well worth a trip up.

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

Well, Col has got the head unit and fin etc fitted, so its only really speaker upgrade, maybe sub and a power socket to the boot now

Well worth a trip up.

When I can get a weekend off ( that's a laugh ) you never know

[Gate Keeper]

Cheers Rod, great photos to set the atmosphere of the day.

There you go Jeff, there is a lovely invitation from our northern friends. We always look forward to our trip up to the moors. Haven't yet ventured to Hartlepool

[reworht]

And to finish - I've called this "going home early".
The driver dropped a gear to help pull out of a tail slide - and there was a huge "bang" from the car - exit stage left (hence the tow rope on the front) with what sounded like a major transmission failure



Shame, it was very smart MkI Escort

[A19_Graham]

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

Cheers Rod, great photos to set the atmosphere of the day.

There you go Jeff, there is a lovely invitation from our northern friends. We always look forward to our trip up to the moors. Haven't yet ventured to Hartlepool

You're welcome anytime. Fish and Chips and a Lemon Top

[reworht]

Originally Posted by reworht

And to finish - I've called this "going home early".
The driver dropped a gear to help pull out of a tail slide - and there was a huge "bang" from the car - exit stage left (hence the tow rope on the front) with what sounded like a major transmission failure



Shame, it was very smart MkI Escort

Turns out this car's retirement was down to a ......... snapped crankshaft - ouch

And just to prove how 'old' cars can still perform -
Last night, a 13.98 mile stage, in the dark and mist, in Kielder Forest, saw 10 crews complete it in less than 14 minutes !