Tank S Rally 2007 Report

After a successful Tank S Rally last year, Steve and I decided to take part in the rally this year also. The rally was on the 16th and 17th of March and it was the first rally of the Dutch Rally Championship. We had the same start number as last year; 59. Although there were more and better competitors! My dad and I recced some stages on the Thursday before the rally. Meanwhile Steve was travelling to Emmeloord (rallycentrum). It was a long trip for him and he was travelling alone. That because his mechanics weren't able to come with him.

The next day Steve and I recced the other stages and we checked the stages my dad and I already did. The stages were nice and very fast and there where some new stages comparing to the year before. Although the stages were a bit short. There were 20 stages in total (10 different) with a total length of 139,8 kilometre. In the afternoon we had to go to the scrutineering. Last time (Paradigit ELE Rally) we had some problems, but this time everything was fine.

After that we had dinner and we prepared us for to 2 stages we had to drive that evening. It was a real spectators stage. A short multiple-lap stage and the competitors would start in groups. Unfortunately just before we had to start, one of the competitors blew up their engine and the stage was cancelled. The second time the stage was cancelled again and that day we only drove the road section… Not very nice… We went to the bar to have a few drinks and we went to bed.

The next day the rally started very early. We had to drive 4 different stages, then service and the same 4 stages again. The first stages immediately became clear we had to let the fastest cars in our class go. We were 3rd, just before a German equipe with an Opel Kadett GSi. The second time we drove the stages, we were much faster then the first time. Then we had to drive 2 times 3 different stages near Kampen. The stages were very different to the first ones. After a crash from the number one in our class, we were second. We enlarged the difference to the Germans so we were heading to a safe second place.

Still 4 stages to go. It became dark. The first one was neutralized because of oil again. On the next stage the car gave troubles. The oil and water temperature were too high and we lost power. Some parts of the stage we couldn't drive on full speed. During the short service we couldn't find the problem.

Same 2 stages again. The stage with the oil was still not ready, so we only drove a part of the stage. It was a very difficult stage with no light and marks at all. We had to wait an hour for the last stage. Meanwhile is started to rain. We weren't on the good tires, so it was very slippy to drive the stage. It was very difficult but Steve did a perfect job and we finished the rally.

On the stages in the dark the Germans were getting closer, partly because of the troubles with the Manta. We were 3rd in our class, 15 seconds behind the Germans. In the total rally we finished 42nd of the 88th started competitors. A very nice result! Because of the delay before the start of the last stage, we were almost too late for the bar… Fortunately we were just in time! We talked and drunk something and then we went to bed. After a breakfast the next day, we went home. My dad and I only had to drive 1 hour, but Steve had to travel many more! It was a very heavy weekend for him! Respect!

The next rally that we will drive, is the Proflex Merwede Rally in Hulst (27th and 28th of April).

Just smile and wave and Tits On!

Kind regards,
Martin Nortier