RALLYING: Sub-zero to hero for Barnes
6:00am Thursday 23rd February 2012 in Latest News
IAN Barnes made a good start to the 2012 season as the Abbey Meads-based rally driver overcame treacherous sub-zero conditions to finish second in class and 11th overall on the historic section of the Forest of Dean-based Wyedean Stage Rally earlier this month.
Barnes adopted a safe and steady pace to get through the first three stages of the 44-mile rally, while many other crews came to grief or opted to withdraw because of the difficult conditions.
As the day progressed on the very popular rally, the temperatures climbed, the sun came out and it started to become possible for the drivers to set more competitive times.
“It was a relief to make it back to service, there were several hills on which we simply couldn’t get the car moving,” said Barnes.
“I had to drive up the grass verges and in ditches to find any kind of traction, the surface on the first stage was akin to driving up a ‘black’ ski slope.
“My car isn’t suited to these conditions, we have a 230bhp racing engine, rear wheel drive and low weight over the back wheels making it incredibly difficult to drive.
“Judging where and how to brake was so difficult and then getting the car moving again became so frustrating. But as the day progressed, the parts of the stages open to the sun had almost thawed out, although under the shade of the trees it was still frozen compacted snow and ice.
“There were parts that we were driving at normal stage speeds but then had to get down to a speed that meant we could make it around the next icy corner. Several didn’t make it.
“We had a few moments, a couple of spins and the engine ran too cold all day so that was never really at its best but we persevered.”
It was a brave but good decision by Barnes to continue after service when several other historic crews had already withdrawn, as it meant he was well placed to go on to achieve second in class and 11th overall in the historic section of the rally in his 1973 Ford Escort RS2000.
“Whilst the event was extremely difficult, I am so pleased that we adopted the approach we did,” added Barnes.
“This is our fourth consecutive rally finish, a great start to 2012, a class trophy and good points in the opening round of the Welsh Historic Rally Championship.”
Only 122 out of the original 180 entrants finished the rally. The historic section of the rally was won by Peter Smith and Paul Wakely in a Ford Escort Mk2.
The rally for modern cars was won by Charlie Payne and Craig Thorley in a Ford Focus World Rally Car.
Barnes now has some time to prepare for his next rally, the Mid Wales Stages, on March 4 which is the second round of the Welsh championship and the first round of the 2012 Kololi Beach Club British Historic Rally Championship.
- HIGHWORTH rally duo Shelly Taunt and Julie Murphy will kick off their 2012 season on Friday night with the backing of new sponsors.
Taunt and co-driver Murphy travel to the renowned Rallye Sunseeker International which begins in Poole on Friday night before heading to Bournemouth, which also forms the first round of the MSA British Rally Championship and will feature the BRC Challenge and the Historique Rally Championship.
Taunt will once again be behind the wheel of her trustworthy Subaru Impreza N10, and will have the backing of London-based sponsor OCM Capital Markets along with Swindon businesses Swindon Karting F1, Guest & Fiore Bricklayers, Combined Scaffolding Ltd and Advanced Sign Factory.
