Car 4! Sublime to the ridiculous. Car 65 last time out, car 4 this time. With a Nissan kit car in front and a GT4 behind. Got to get our foot down on this one!
The sun was shining and we were in the start que with a couple of minutes to go. The event was given a new start time of 20 minutes late. 9.15 came and went when we were informed there was no paramedic on site as he had gone to Cadwell instead! When he arrived we could start.
The first couple of cars went at minute intervals due to a start line cock up but then we were on 30 seconds. I noticed the dust as they set off but by the time 30 seconds had passed it seemed clear.
On the line and the countdown started. Off we went determined to keep ahead. Straight 90 right, straight 90 right, split left into long 90 left. “Cant see the split” “its there, over there 45 left into 90 right!” Bang! Sh*t! ?Bang!!! Game over.
Cost? New shell! No front end, roof up, no navigators side, boot floor in 4”. Emma in a sling and me with whiplash! Don’t ever think that straw is soft. We’d hit the first bale head on which spun us into the second sideways at a good 80 mph. Oil cooler and rad gone I switched off and we pushed it to the side.

Luckily the split was also the flying finish and the merge so we didn’t have far to walk. At the finish line Emma was checked by the paramedic and carnage ensued on the line. Cars were spinning off, hitting each other and coming in with lots of damage. One crew member got out exclaiming, “ stop this stage before someone is killed!”. Everyone coming in had serious faces and even Andrew Apperley sustained damage!
I’m still not experienced enough to judge or pass comment but after 4 hours in hospital with Emma, going through it in my head and looking at the stage diagrams which show a straight at the split rather than a 45 left 90 right it looks rather like someone along with ourselves got it a little wrong there. (I leave that decision up to the reader)
Thanks go to Jim for lending his car as tow vehicle and especially Malcolm and Jan Jagger who serviced and stayed with us through everything including hospital and unloading back at home, its very much appreciated.
Rally Yorkshire,…. 3 weeks, er….I’ll try!

Graham Steggles/Emma Bain
Rebuild details