Well the MCHR 2012 is go and at last we’re ready, the car is loaded and its off to the docks. After a long drive we arrived at hotel in Riems, no problems but a welcome break and a chance to relax. Overnight in Chambery.
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…
At last the team were to have a ”no pressure” day in the form of a fund raising event at the fast Wiltshire Circuit Castle Coombe. Our main sponsor Minispares had requested that all our exotic race cars were on display for the public to view and ask any questions of us.
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…
Our track day car which is a key fund raiser and general Bill Richards Racing PR vehicle was invited to attend the open day for the R.N.L.I. at Littlestone Beach. The Mad Dog crew were able to chat and pose for pictures with the generous members of the public who respect and support the R.N.L.I. For many this was the first time they’d been able to see a racing Mini close up and appreciate the hours of preparation that go into building race winning cars.
Also the RAF Battle of Britain memorial flight flew overhead. The awsum sound of 4 Rollsroyce Merlin engines in the Lancaster Bomber was a sound to behold and made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
A Brilliant day was had by all.
A visit from our youngest fan in the form of our great granddaughter Ruby Rose, could she take over from the team leader ?
We shall see…
After the last round of the DMN at Brands Hatch the team struck camp and headed for Lydden to join in the fun at the annual BHP Performance show. This was to be a no pressure PR day.
The ‘’Clubby’’ was displayed in a prominent position to be viewed by over a thousand petrol heads and our ever faithful round nose 
fronted Mini PR car, which had recently been fitted with a new high spec 1380 Bill Richards engine, was to be used for hot lap passenger rides in aid of our charity the RNLI. This is a good charity for us to support as they are totally self funding.
The Mini ran faultlessly all day, making some £200 for our Lifeboat friends.
We hope everyone that turned out to see us and those who saw the Lydden circuit from inside a Mini on a hot lap all enjoyed themselves and will come back next year…
…or perhaps follow us to our next race meet – check out the dates here.
The rally car was requested by our sponsors Minispares to attend their trade stand at the London to Brighton event on the 15th May, so the repair programme got underway. As you may have read on our Monte report, we had a small altercation with a Mercedes Van that appeared on the stage illegally, this incident cost us 8 minutes and a lot of places in the final results.
We just need to order the spotlights and graphics to complete the work on the car, oh – and perhaps a little polish…
Bill Richards Racing would like to welcome Paul Upson and all at L&G Signs as new team sponsors for 2011. Paul first met BRR when he stepped in to help out in the aftermath of the huge Brands Hatch accident last year. Since then Paul has been kept in touch and sorted out the beautiful draped flag on our Monte Carlo Rally car PRX.
If you’re interested in classic Mini motorsport and would like to get involved with the team as a sponsor then please contact us.
Read all about the Monte Carlo rally in the Daily Express
Simon Worship has 2 cars. But one morning the more famous of the two wouldn’t start so his reliable old faithful Mini was pressed into action to help start the Ferrari.
Simon had asked Bill & the team to restore his old Mini into a Mr Bean replica. They completely reworked the whole car with a fantastic new paint job, large full length sunroof and many uprated and reconditioned parts.
And of course Bill worked his magic on the engine building a beautifully torquey power unit.
Now if only everything in life was as reliable as a Bill Richards Mini…
During the recent Miniworld Action day at Castle Combe the Bill Richards Racing team not only put on some great on track entertainment but also used the opportunity to raise money for their supported charities. Bill recently paid a visit to Littlestone On Sea lifeboat station to present the RNLI with a cheque for £300.
47 Items in total ...
- 2012 Monte Carlo Rally – update 1
- Miniworld Action Day – Castle Combe 2011
- A day at the beach
- look out Bill…
- BHP Performance show
- Minispares London to Brighton trade stand
- new sponsor L&G Signs
- Bill and John make the papers…
- if only everything in life was as reliable as a Bill Richards Mini !
- Bill Richards Racing Raises £300 For The RNLI.