DAC - Events

Durham Dales Classic Tests 2009
Sponsored by
Wilkinson Maintenance

Sunday 6th September

Thank you to everyone who made today's Durham Dales Classic Tests a possibility, the sponsor, the landowner, the marshals, the rest of the organising team, and finally the competitors. A very entertaining days motorsport, with a surprisingly low attrition rate!

The photos are now added to the website, and the results are available to download below.

Finally next years event takes place on Sunday 5th September. Hope to see you there,

Lindsay Burnip
Chairman Durham Auto Club

Download the event results here.

Weardale Navigational Rally

14th March 2009

20 crews set of from Oakley Service Station in West Auckland on a 94 mile route in Co Durham, finishing in Barnard Castle for the Durham Automobile Clubs Weardale Rally. Road conditions were dry with a clear sky and a biting wind, making it cold for the marshals. It was all very tight at the top with 2 tight sections around Hilton and Langton deciding the rally, two crews cleaned the rally with Steve Retchless/Ali Proctor (Escort RS2000 MK 2) get 1st on the tie breaker of “earliest received entry” from Malcolm Holdsworth / John Tubman (Honda Civic), so it does pay to get entries in on time. This was Steve Retchless’s 2nd win in two weeks having won last weeks Ryemoor Rally, it was also Ali Procter’s 2nd win of the year, the 1st being the Buglass, which he also won on a tie breaker. 3rd was James Tyson/Neil Harrison (Mini) on 1 minute, with Tony Harrison/Martyn Taylor (Rover) 4th and Andy Whittaker/Charlie Tynan (Proton) 5th, both on 2 minutes dropped. 6th would have been Phil Jobson/Jerry Hettrick (Escort MK 2) only for a missed code board at a tricky junction, dropping them to 9th. 1st Non-expert home were Barry Siddle/Colin Richardson (Mazda) who had a clean run following their excursion on the Buglass. In the Newcomers class Peter Masters/Sarah Navin (Suzuki) missed a code board early on and were never able to catch back the lost time resulting in a win for Nigel Cardale/Peter Littlefield (Clio). In the 12 Car for beginners that ran behind the main rally, Jeff Hodgson/Tony Chrisp (Nova) lead from the beginning, Roger Broom/Helena Teasdale (Skoda) lost 6 minutes at an early control but they pegged this back, until a missed code board near the end decided the result.

Download the event results here.

Karting with Durham University

Wednesday 19th November 2008

Durham Automobile Club and Durham University held a Karting evening at Karting North East 8 members turned out and a handful of supporters turned out on a chilly evening for a Karting competition with Durham University

In the B Final representing the club was Alistair who finished in 6th position

In the A Final representing the club was Edward 2nd, David H 5th, John 7th, Tony 11th, Fred 14th, Peter L 16th, Gordon 17th

Top 2 positions separated by 0:00.806

Well done to all members we had 7 members in the A final

DURHAM DALES CLASSIC RALLY 2008

Sunday 7th September 2008

A very good entry of 36 cars greeted the extremely wet start of this year`s Durham Dales Classic Rally, setting off for a change from the Wilsonart Factort in Shildon. It was also the venue for the first and last tests of the day. Even the Scrutineer had to accept it was too wet to look at engines etc outside so had yo retreat to a nearby building!

My `new` navigator for the Dales was a Durham Auto Club member, Andy Brown. His usual driver had been unable to enter due to being involved with harvesting, only to find too late that the weather was so bad machinery couldn't get into the fields. At least the club had an extra marshal!

The Being run this year in 'Multi-venue Auto test' format meant that classes were rather different from the norm, so we found ourselves in a class alongside a Porsche 911, a fully rally-prepared BMW and a host of fast 'hot' Ford Escorts.

Despite wet weather, we had a good day with the car going well and there were a few tests where we could let it have a decent run - there we particularly enjoyed! (The rougher the better, providing they are not actually car-breaking!)

Over 20 tests were on offer, n a variety of surfaces, and whilst the SAAB isn't as nimble as some other cars, we didn't fare too badly, often only a few seconds separating the majority of the field. There was an unusual twist with two 'Regularity' Tests, around quite a complex route, the aim being to complete the two tests in exactly the same time. Along with most competitors we were pleased to find that we got these two tests spot on! We didn't do quite so well judging the height of a bar under which the car would pass! We allowed 6" too much - must come from the fact i normally drive a coach some 12'10" high!

After the last test back at Wilsonart, we all made our way a short distance to the Manor House Hotel in West Auckland, where results were speedily produced. No real surprises as we came 7th in class out of 10 and 23rd overall.

So, many thanks to the Durham Team for putting on a good event, enjoyed and appreciated i think by all competitors. Particular thanks to Andy for sitting in with me and doing an excellent job.

John Wood SAAB 96V4

Thanks to Ian Hardy for the use of the photo

Download the event results.

DURHAM DALES CLASSIC RALLY 2007

Well it all started at one committee meeting to which I agreed to navigate with Tony, I wondered what I had let myself in for by the reaction of everyone, then I wondered why Neil was not doing it?????

The Regularity autotest at Park Wall opened my eyes with my passenger ride being hairy to say the least….’oh bugger’ I thought what have I done.

The day arrived and following a Saturday being thrown round the kit car at Donington BTRDA autotest the thought of doing it all again seemed a bit un-appealing!

The car got through scrutineering ok, and then we signed on and got some quality bacon butties….nice.

So sat in the line for the first test at Wilson art, we had drummed the test into our heads and were ready for the day….5-4-3-2-1 and we were off. The handbrake was not really to Tony’s liking, but the test was very open and it did not really hurt us that much. Screeeeech…..and over the line we were. Time card Filled in and consult the road book for the next test site.

After a 9 mile drive we arrived at Wakerfield. A blast down a road, with three chicanes in them and two code boards. The Chicanes were dealt with by Tony and the code boards sorted we charged to the end of the test. Brilliant….all clear.

Next up was a short stint to Streatlam camp, one of Tony’s favourites. We were to carry out three tests here and while learning the tests could hear the Brooms behind us as Graham was claiming his 1 second victory over his dad.

Test 1 at Streatlam was simple, and was learned while in the queue waiting to go. With myself ready in backup to keep him right we did the test, the fairly dry surface and the larger rear tyres were hampering the handbrake a bit, but again the tests were not tight enough to slow us and the handbrake worked enough to get us round.

Test 2 was some simple loops on the bottom pad, and then a healthy blast around the perimeter road, with some finely placed cones and code board to pick up. The fence posts were passing fairly quickly but it was ok as they were on his side!!!!!!

Test 3 was in the field to left as you enter Streatlam. Again this was the width of a road, and with the code board noted we proceeded to the big loop, good job I pointed out it was anti clockwise as Tony admitted he would have gone clockwise. While doing this he was busy pulling the handbrake on and somehow I ended up looking at the time keeper from my passenger window……..she should be in front of us, the car was set on the right path and we completed the test. Oh bugger, he that glint in his eye……..Wey I love Streatlam me man…….

Out of Streatlam turn right and a quick blast to Glaxo, it was only 2.5 miles away, and this was to do the regularity autotest, as apparently it was a PR sensitive location and did not want the tyre screeching engine revving usual. A gentle pace was set and timed, with some check times noted, then back in line for the second run. Off the start and there seemed to be a glitch with the stopwatch, but then it was fine. We decided to get a bit early towards the finish, so Tony would have to slow rather than speed up. The target time was told and Tony was driving watching it, and we thought we had hit it exact, but Pete said 1:33 so we were 1 second out, that must have been due to that glitch on the start, but 1 second was not bad.

Tom then gave us our start time for the regularity, and we made tracks to get there, 6 miles in 15 mins we had to do to get to the start. We had 3 mins to spare so gave us time to sort the vivid office. So we counted down and off we went. The first regularity I have done, nothing like pressure then. It was going well, and we seemed to be getting it right, we did the time controls ok, but then half way round we realised that we had to look out for code boards, and were fairly confident that we had not passed any. We were working our way to the end of the regularity, 18 miles into the 20, and then we passed a sign which I had not had chance to read and was busy checking times, we quickly realised that we should have gone right there, and promptly turned around…a cheeky reverse flick and back to it. BUGGER, we had last 1m 20secs and Tony was driving with all he had to get the time back, but the time control was earlier than we thought, and almost skidded past it. Maximum penalty we were going to get for that, and after getting past the foreign camper vans and things. I was livid with myself, really miffed at it, Tony just said not to worry about it, and we carried on, but truth be told I was very angry with myself, but just had to put it down to experience.

So after beating myself up during the 16 mile stint back to Streatlam we focused on the job in hand. Upon arrival at Streatlam I opened the test diagram, and Tony’s eyes lit up, it was the three test areas from earlier but all at once. Oh bugger I thought given his overzealous use of the handbrake earlier. Tony memorised the first stint with me being called in to call the second and third areas, the first section went fine, recorded the code boards and onto the last two. These went well as well, and the trick was to get the test right even if it took a few seconds longer. Tony was shouting where, but I showed him the trusty finger to which he followed.

We had heard the Graham had developed a problem at the end of the regularity, and was out; it appears that the support for the spring had sheared and caused it to collapse. It now became apparent why Roger walked the dog the night before and took a hacksaw.

Finishing at Streatlam it was a left out of the camp and a short trip down the road to Wackerfield. This was the test this morning but run in reverse, I reminded him of the slippy bits were, and pointed out the code boards then we were set. First Chicane ok, and second, then up to the third and Tony turned, but the car never and chinned a big sausage roll hay bail square on, it rolled over and then we carried on to the finish. I suppose it made it a bit wider for everyone else.

By now we were very hungry and luckily it was back to Wilson art for lunch. Tony wanted to look at the handbrake, so I went and got the butties in again, and upon my return we opted for smaller tyres pumped up high. The burger was welcome nourishment, and we were ready for the afternoon. (It was about 2:15pm at this point

The next test was only up the road at Frank’s factory flooring, but was a bobby dazzler! It was probably ½ mile long, and had a very genius manoeuvre up a ramp, and down again, but you had to loop a cone at the top to come back down, it was about 7 – 9 feet drop.

There had been a change in map so Tom educated everyone to this, and then we watched everyone do the test, the main highlights were the ramp, most people opted for the safe three point turn, a few managed the handbrake and round in one. The cheer in the car as we did it in one was great, but nearly forgot where I was in shouting the course. A very nice Mini Cooper blew two tyres at the same point, which was odd as nobody else suffered it. We did collect a cone on our travels but was worth it just purely for the buzz of the course.

Once finished at Franks we hit the road once again and followed the road book to the next venue which was in the direction of Chilton. These were at two separate venues, but owned by the same company.

They were simple tests, and the reverse flicks helped save time, and were completed penalty free. Then onto test two of Hydram which looked like spaghetti junction, we quickly established a technique to get it right, by giving the cones numbers, which worked a treat.

Consulting the road book again we headed to Park Wall farm on the A68 near Tow Law. This turned out to be a mini stage really, and the diagram did not really match the road, so it was grit my teeth and prey. It was enjoyable and was just a good job that Tony knew the place as I did not have a clue going from the diagram….but phew be popped out the other side unscathed!! We were met by Kev and Jan, who informed us the lady in the Mini was being sick, at least Tony’s driving was not that bad. We got our start time for the start of the regularity and departed.

We lined up with the other competitors ready to set off at our dedicated time. Determined to do a better job this time we set up a good system, and were doing well. Coming towards the end of the regularity we had a right turn at a give way. I told Tony to get there early in case we did have to give way. Just as we were about to pull out a car appeared over the crest who was going a bit quick in our eyes, a second earlier things would have been a bit different, but the call to go early paid off as the time control was just around the corner. We lost 6 seconds and were very happy with that over 16 miles.

We were now drawing to the final stages of the day, and headed back to Park wall Farm for a run through the opposite way. Again the diagram did not really match, so it was ah case of driving it as seen. The code boards were noted and Tony was on a mission, the last section of the test we were doing just over 70mph, and I could feel the car slightly fishtailing…. Oh no I thought but nothing to worry about, and we stop astride the line. Apparently the fastest on that stretch was 85 mph in a lotus sunbeam.

A quick 7 mile dash to Seagraves near Bishop Auckland. A good blast around some skips, and a scary dash towards a brick wall at one point, and that was that test negotiated successfully.

The last test was to Wilson art which was the start venue, and a reversal of the lunch time test. We drummed it in our heads and then went for it. A clear run and finished. We were Knackered.

The car was loaded and everyone headed to the Hotel for a well earned Sunday lunch (at 7pm) and was the icing on the cake, a nice sit down meal and a good bit of crack.

I must say that as a competitor the day was brilliant, and did not appreciate the shear organisation that has gone into it, all the organisers and marshals deserve a massive pat on the back, that day was one of the best days motorsport I have done. I just can’t wait for next year.