Date:  Sunday 22nd August 2010
Event:  Centenary Stages Rally
Location:  RAF Barkston Heath, near Grantham
Number of entries: 61 in total, 7 in Class One
Seeded:   50th Overall 4th in Class One
Result: ** SECOND IN CLASS ONE  ** and 28th Overall

Written By Pete
The second event in our Nova and the first event in class one. After fitting a replacement engine we started with a renewed confidence for the event. The weather forecast was for rain and wind, this turned out to be totally wrong as it was sunny and dry, which made it very hot in the car especially as fitting a roof vent is one of the
many jobs we have still got to complete on the car.
A great day for PAL Rallying our first award as a team and Liam's first award as a driver. 

SS1: A steady start, we planned just to complete SS1 after our previous dissappointment, but when we checked the stage time we were 2nd of 7 cars in class.
SS2: Liam pushed harder on this stage, we caught and passed the 106 that was 30 seconds in front of us, but as we overtook, it kicked up a tyre which smashed the headlight mounting, on the navigators side as usual.
SS3: Just after the start the car appeared to be struggling with no power, we continued and it seemed to get better then worse, we completed the stage but lost around 40 seconds. Investigation at service found the brake bias bar had twisted so the front brakes were stuck half on ! The adjuster was removed before the next stage. We were competing for the class lead until we had this problem.
SS4: Back to full power we were going well again with no problems this stage.
SS5: Another good stage, overtaking cars (something we havn't done much of in our 106), just a little slip at a square right, we approached too fast and had to go straight on over the grass, but no harm done.
SS6: More of the same, but we were informed by marshals that petrol was leaking from the filler and we must
fix it for the next stage, many thanks to Dave Wood for sorting us out a spare cap at short notice.
SS7: No problems, getting used to the Nova and how to get the best out of our new car.
SS8: Just a little mistake as we overtook a slower car Liam got out of line and took the next few corners a little ragged, but he soon got back in full control for the remainder of the stage.
SS9: This was the first time we told Liam about our class position, no problems though !
SS10: As we had over a minute lead over 3rd in class we decided to ease off a little to ensure a finish, so Liam drove within himself but he then got a little "Red Mist" as we managed to catch the Sierra which started a full minute in front of us, pictures of us taking the corners on three wheels can be seen in the gallery!