This has been a very unusual season - to say the least. An abortive attempt to do the Wyedean, where the car dropped a driveshaft, was followed by a 4-month layoff due to the dreaded F&M.
During the layoff, some things did happen. The car came under the wing of Ed James of EJM Preparations, a decision was made to go with Maxsport rubber for the rest of the year, and we re-evaluated our plans about which championships to chase.
By May we were all becoming bored. The car was fully prepared, with one or two enhancements, and there was no rallying in the UK - sort of like All Dressed Up and Nowhere To Go. Time for a dynamic management decision, how about a European Championship round in Sweden, (looks like a chance to get well thrashed) so off we went to what was the best event of the year.
After Sweden we took the decision to do just BTRDA and Welsh National championships. The down side was that due to event cancellations, we were not going to get a run in the Yorkshire or Clipstone forests. Still with 5 events due between mid September and early November Nik was going to be kept on the boil. Also doing an event every 2 to 3 weeks was going to put a strain on Ed to keep the car reliable and competitive. The results speak for themselves, two National A events, 3 National B, 2nd in class twice, 3rd in Class twice, one 4th in class.
By the end of the season Nik was proving just how quick he could peddle the SEAT, swapping times with Peugeot 106's and Astras and beating the other Ibiza twice (only times we met). Next year could be very interesting, as we should have more power and Nik's confidence and commitment is at a high level.
Championships
CCI Welsh National- 1st Class 3
Events - European Championship
South Swedish Rally - 40th o/a 5th in class A7
Astra Stages- 2nd in Class A7
Bulldog Rally- 2nd in Class A7
Woodpecker Stages - 3rd in Class A7
Malcolm Wilson - 4th in Class A7
Cambrian - 3rd in Class A7
Our thanks must go to all our Sponsors and Supporters, and especially to our service crews and preparation team. Without you all non of this would have been possible.
Nik and Howard
