Whitey
05-01-2007, 09:08 PM
Anderson dominates Coffs rally.
Four Excel competitors made the journey to Coffs Harbour for the GK Denney Coffs Coast Rally which consisted of 145km competitive over 9 stages. Luke Anderson & Mick Ryan maintain a glimmer of hope for series honours after a comprehensive victory.
Stage 1 was a quick fang around the Big Banana car park. Two seconds covered all four Excels, the FWD cars being in their element in the motorkhana style stage. Mick Gillett's car belched a huge plume of blue smoke when his car somehow injested a quantity of engine oil.
Stage 2 was the first real test and at 28 km there would be no easing into it gently. To make conditions even more testing the road had been recently graded. Anderson/Ryan jumped to a 19 sec lead over Farrant/Woods. White/Flegl and Gillett/Dzidowski were battling for third.
Stage 3 saw Anderson extend his lead further over Farrant. White/Flegl joined several other competitors with damage from a stump on the roadside after a RGL, tearing off their rear bumper.
Stage 4 Farrant and Anderson were continuing the battle at the front. Andersons lead had grown to 35 seconds. Gillett/Dzidowski briefly captured third after White/Flegl were held up in the dust of Moody/May Datsun 1600 after they rolled.
Stage 5 & 6, two runs over the Sherwood stage, were the longest of the event at 34km each and again the graded roads, mid stage, made the surface diabolical with several non-excel competitors meeting the scenery. On Stage 6 Anderson got out of the grooves and spun on the soft surface allowing Farrant to win his only stage of the event and claw back 4 seconds.
At the next service Farrant's car refused to start as they prepared to leave for stage 7, fortunately the crew from Hyundai zipped into action. The issue was quickly diagnosed as a faulty fuel pump relay. Thanks to the large supply Hyundai Genuine Parts that were on hand, he was on his way with minimal loss of late time.
Stage 8 saw Farrant's troubles continue with intermittent Terratrip issues.
Stage 9 a short 6 km blast before returning to the finish at The Big Banana. All crews making it thru in good time. Anderson/Ryan winning another stage to take the lead out to one minute and 18 seconds over Farrant/Woods at the end of a fantastic event. It was then daylight (6 min 30 seconds) to White/Flegl, who had battled with Gillet/Dzidowski for third over the whole event.
The next round is the Port Panthers Rally on 22nd October at Port Macquarie.
Four Excel competitors made the journey to Coffs Harbour for the GK Denney Coffs Coast Rally which consisted of 145km competitive over 9 stages. Luke Anderson & Mick Ryan maintain a glimmer of hope for series honours after a comprehensive victory.
Stage 1 was a quick fang around the Big Banana car park. Two seconds covered all four Excels, the FWD cars being in their element in the motorkhana style stage. Mick Gillett's car belched a huge plume of blue smoke when his car somehow injested a quantity of engine oil.
Stage 2 was the first real test and at 28 km there would be no easing into it gently. To make conditions even more testing the road had been recently graded. Anderson/Ryan jumped to a 19 sec lead over Farrant/Woods. White/Flegl and Gillett/Dzidowski were battling for third.
Stage 3 saw Anderson extend his lead further over Farrant. White/Flegl joined several other competitors with damage from a stump on the roadside after a RGL, tearing off their rear bumper.
Stage 4 Farrant and Anderson were continuing the battle at the front. Andersons lead had grown to 35 seconds. Gillett/Dzidowski briefly captured third after White/Flegl were held up in the dust of Moody/May Datsun 1600 after they rolled.
Stage 5 & 6, two runs over the Sherwood stage, were the longest of the event at 34km each and again the graded roads, mid stage, made the surface diabolical with several non-excel competitors meeting the scenery. On Stage 6 Anderson got out of the grooves and spun on the soft surface allowing Farrant to win his only stage of the event and claw back 4 seconds.
At the next service Farrant's car refused to start as they prepared to leave for stage 7, fortunately the crew from Hyundai zipped into action. The issue was quickly diagnosed as a faulty fuel pump relay. Thanks to the large supply Hyundai Genuine Parts that were on hand, he was on his way with minimal loss of late time.
Stage 8 saw Farrant's troubles continue with intermittent Terratrip issues.
Stage 9 a short 6 km blast before returning to the finish at The Big Banana. All crews making it thru in good time. Anderson/Ryan winning another stage to take the lead out to one minute and 18 seconds over Farrant/Woods at the end of a fantastic event. It was then daylight (6 min 30 seconds) to White/Flegl, who had battled with Gillet/Dzidowski for third over the whole event.
The next round is the Port Panthers Rally on 22nd October at Port Macquarie.