Some snow visible on mountain peaks but conditions look pretty clear. We’ll make Turin by lunchtime and then we have the calm before the storm of tomorrow’s start. Before the start there is a long list of small jobs but the team are all excited and in full rally mode !

All pre-rally checks went OK, Bill and John have been comparing pace notes. Everyone is excited and can’t wait to get going !

Well it’s the end of Day1 and the Rallye proper has now started and we’ve had no sleep for 48 hours. Never seen snow like this before for such a prolonged period and it’s playing havoc with our internet connections so some of the news is a bit delayed at the end of day 1, however, we’ve just seen the results and the team are over the moon but more work to do, we’re on it for tomorrow…

World-renowned circuit racer, Bill Richards, is again hoping for success when he swaps the asphalt for snow-covered Alpine roads in the Monte Carlo Historique Rallye. Together with navigator, John Morrow, and competing as “Minispares- Mad Dog Rallying” he will set off from the Turin start on 28th January 2012.

Richards, who runs a well-known engineering and engine tuning business in Ashford, Kent, will campaign a 1965 1293cc Morris Mini Cooper S owned by Seattle-based co-driver, John Morrow. The car is a close replica of the fabulously successful vehicles built by BMC Competitions Department in the 1960s and which won the Monte Carlo outright on three separate occasions. The Mini, which was restored in the Bill Richards Racing workshops is currently undergoing extensive preparation for the event.

This Monte Carlo Historique is one of the most gruelling rallies in the world and the team will have to cover 2500 Km including 14 special stages over narrow, snow and ice-covered, mountain roads before they reach the sunshine of the Mediterranean. Richards and Morrow will be competing against more than 320 other cars including a dozen classic Minis. Co-driver Morrow says, “2012 is the 50th anniversary of the Mini Cooper participating on the event and there will be a lot of interest in how the car can perform against its rivals half a century after it was first produced; the Monte is an extremely competitive event but we are very well prepared and are hoping for at least a class win”.

For more official information see the Rallye Website here. Mad Dog Rallying can be followed on this site as well as on Facebook and Twitter

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The car was duly stripped of all is bright work, windows and other trim before having 2 new front wings fitted and various repairs carried out. The MG was then treated to various new coats of Blue paintwork before being fitted back together with new trim.

Benita took delivery of the car just before Christmas as an early present to herself.

The Morgan was soon in fine fettle and sounding as it should. As with most of the tune ups it was turned around in very short time and the customer drove away happy.

Bill Richards racing got a call for help from Chris the artist who owns a beautiful Wolseley Hornet used for track days as he was unhappy with the engine performance of his engine.

Bill set about building one of his bullet proof track day 1380cc engines with a fully built box for Chris to fit back in the Hornet. Chris is one happy customer and can be seen terrorizing a circuit near you.

The 1st race

A rolling start was the order of the day with all classes jostling for positions. A class B car positioned himself disappointingly between ourselves and the Peugeot 205 that was heading our class. With determination a hard push was made to outwit the Seat class B car, however this was not to be. Our beloved Clubman did not disgrace itself and achieved a 53 second lap.

 

2nd Race

Our main adversary in this race was to be a very rapid Peugeot 205 driven by a young charger. For us to win the class championship I had to beat him. The race saw a duel between our Clubman and a Cosworth Sapphire, he had to be passed before we could launch an attack on the French machine.
This was not to be, the Sapphire being impossible to pass.

We can hold our heads up high as this was not an easy Championship to compete in due to the class structure.

 

The Mini proved to be a huge crowd pleaser at a packed Brands Hatch, it has a massive following of fans.

With the run into Chessons Drift (1st corner) the mini was out-dragged by a rapid Escort RS2000, combat ensued for over 10 laps, eventually forcing the Escort into a mistake and conceding his 1st place.

The priority in the 2nd race was to conserve our last set of allocated front tyres, too much wheel spin from a standing start could play havoc with the longevity of the Avon slick as 15 laps on this circuit induces rapid wear.

A non aggressive start saw the mini once again settle for 2nd place, for 8 laps our adversary drove a defensive race until aggressive defensive driving forced premature wear in his overheating tyres, allowing the Escort to run wide. He had to settle for 2nd place. Watch the thrilling race unfold here.

With 2 Poles and 2 Overall wins, it was a successful weekend for the Team.

With our Maddogs Team amassed points we were Crowned Semsec Sports and Saloons Champion.

While the engine building was taking shape Lee set to work and stripped the wet subframes off the shell, these were to be replaced with powder coated dry subframes with fully adjustable suspension. Many of the older Mk1 shells were never aligned perfectly, not helped by various knocks and scrapes in its life time.  Also some paint work and general smartening up took place while the frames were removed.  The engine was duly refitted as were the new subframes and the car is now ready to be run in.

Meanwhile Bill in the PR car sold ”hot laps” for his preferred charity R.N.L.I. Lifeboats. He was first on the track at 9am and last to leave at 5pm despite a puncture towards the end of the day the Maddog Team demonstrated their efficiency in fueling, servicing, the extraction and fitting of new passengers in the hot seat all day. Although combating exhaustion and fatigue, great fun was had by all as well as financial generosity.

Passengers were heard exchanging their experience to be in the car with Bill and driven round at break neck speed, overtaking and feeling g forces on their necks. They were holding their hands out to see who was shaking the most, full of exhilaration and saying they will be booking their ride early next year to beat the waiting list.

The team and the RNLI would like to extend there thanks to all who supported such a good cause and hope next year will be even better…