HANDBRAKES

HAIRPINS eek! & e - every w y eMagazin dedicated rall The world’sworld’s FIRST dedicated rally eMagazinehttp://wp.me/pkXc - every week! ptember 2013 • Issue 295 • 27 SeptemberSe 2013 • Ford Fiesta R2 for sale Technical Specification

Donor vehicle: Ford Fiesta 1.6 Sport, 5 door

Engine: 1.6 Zetec 16V – 1598cc – Ti-VCT; 4 cylinders in line; DOHC; 16 valves; alloy cylinder head and block; variable cam timing.

Power: 170 PS @ 7,500 rpm from 97 octane fuel

Torque: 182 Nm @ 5,700 rpm

Transmission: Five speed sequential gearbox developed by Sadev with plated limited slip differential and uprated driveshafts. ECU developed by Pi with flat shift feature with full throttle closed loop control shift.

Suspension: Reiger adjustable dampers with Eibach springs, spherical jointed top mounts front and rear. Front dampers adjustable for bump and rebound. Standard rear beam with uprated mounts. 2-bolt clamped front upright. Adaptor pin mounted in uprights with spherical bearing connecting the lower arm. Five stud hub.

Brakes: Gravel (front): 285 mm AP ventilated discs with four piston competition calipers.

Rear: 280 mm AP ventilated discs with single piston calipers, hydraulic handbrake.

Steering: Electric power-assisted steering.

Wheels: Gravel: OZ 6”x15” Gravel

Bodyshell: Welded T45 steel multipoint rollcage. Optimised seat position and integrated dash bar. Jacking points optional and seam welded.

Electronics: Bespoke instrument cluster by Visteon in the same style as the standard series cluster.

Dimensions: Length: 3953mm. Width: 1722mm. Height: 1481mm. Wheelbase: 2490mm. Weight: 1030kg.

Price: R 695 000 excluding 14% VAT

Various optional extras fitted, list available on request.

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALISTS (PTY) LTD 30 Schoongezicht Road Bergbron 1709 Johannesburg South Africa Private Bag X26 Auckland Park 2006 South Africa TEL: +27 (0)11 670 8400 – FAX: +27 (0)11 673 5185 WEBSITE: www.fiestar2.co.za Your insight into the world of rally! INSIDE Issue 295 • 27 Sept 2013 EDITORIAL INFORMATION CONTACT INFORMATION THIS WEEK E-mail us [email protected] Call us +27 83 452 6892 05 • steps up to the WRC Surf us http://wp.me/pkXc 06 • BRC reveals 2014 calendar To receive your FREE weekly HANDBRAKES & 07 • Ogier in “Historic” run in RallyDay 2013 HAIRPINS eMagazine, or if you’d like to share 09 • ERC Rally preview this with a friend please send your e-mail address to [email protected]. HANDBRAKES & 10 • BRC Rally Yorkshire preview HAIRPINS is not a SPAM e-mail: email addresses are added to the mailing list voluntarily. Editor Evan Rothman

Favourite rally car? Audi Quattro S2 ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Current favourite WRC driver? Mads Østberg Favourite WRC rally? WRC All content copyrighted property of HANDBRAKES & Favourite rally? Total Rally, South Africa HAIRPINS, 2007-12. This publication is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted in whole Tweets too much about , loves nothing or in part without written permission from the editor. more than spectating on a forest rally, and has While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure aspirations of being the world’s greatest rally the accuracy of information from sources and given to journalist. He’s also oftentimes seen with a readers, the editor cannot accept responsibility for any camera in one hand and his mobile phone in the inconvenience or damage that may arise therefrom. other.

Photojournalist Eva Kovkova

Favourite rally car? Citroën C4 WRC Current favourite WRC driver? Mads Østberg Favourite WRC rally? Vodafone Favourite rally? White Nights Rally, Lahdenpohja, Russia

Likes to walk in the Swedish snow forests or on Portuguese dusty hills, likes to freeze, to get wet Handbrakes & Hairpins has created this rally-powered in the rain or to melt from the heat during photo wallpaper for the Apple iPhone 5. To download, simply hunts for fl ying cars and smiling faces. Also is save the image to your Camera Roll, or click on this link to known as a press ice bear working for South download: http://wp.me/apkXc-4xU. Africa :) OPENING SHOT Mikko Hirvonen and the Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team are rumoured to be in talks for the 2014 WRC season. Apparently, the Finn’s fi ghting for his seat in the French team... Picture: Citroën Racing EVENT PADDON STEPS UP THE WRC LADDER Words by H&H • Picture by M-Sport

Hayden Paddon and will step up prestigious league, the New Zealander is keeping his feet out of and we are trying to market ourselves for 2014. to the Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team for next fi rmly on the ground with his main goal a simple one: to This amazing opportunity with such a respected team as month’s Rally de España as New Zealand’s fi nest fi nish all of the stages in search of maximum experience. M-Sport gives us that chance. I cannot thank everyone in make their competitive debut at the FIA World Rally That said, the youngster’s ambition is high and his hopes New Zealand enough. From our partners and shareholders, Championship’s (WRC) highest level. of setting some top-fi ve times are well within reach. who are behind me all the way, to my family, friends and Piloting a Ford Fiesta RS WRC in Qatar M-Sport Those ambitions will be aided by a pre-event test fellow competitors; everyone has had such a big part to colours, the pairing’s World Rally Car debut will also mark with M-Sport in the lead up to Rally de España, on which play and now we have our chance.” a fi rst for New Zealand as they become the fi rst of their he is no novice. Having driven the mixed-surface event countrymen to pilot a new-generation, top-specifi cation in anger for the past two years, Paddon will be hoping his Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “I am very rally car. experience pays dividends. pleased to welcome Hayden [Paddon] into the Qatar M-Sport are well known for fostering young “To say I’m excited is an understatement, but I M-Sport team for Rally de España. His speed in Australia talent, and Paddon’s impressive performances of late am also focused on ensuring that we make the most of was impressive, and this is his opportunity to prove what meant the Cumbrian fi rm were keen to see him progress. this opportunity,” said Paddon. “Naturally I want to be he can do behind the wheel of a world rally car. He is in Despite contesting just three events so far in 2013, the competitive and we will be giving it our utmost to set some the best possible place to learn with Thierry [Neuville], Kiwi has been a regular on the WRC2 podium and has good stage times, but it is also important to fi nish the Mads [Østberg] and Evgeny [Novikov] all there to offer become accustomed to over-shadowing those in more rally and gain as much experience as possible. After some advice and experience on how to tackle a world rally car powerful machinery. discussions, we were offered this great opportunity and it’s debut. There is no doubt that Hayden is an extremely Nowhere was that more apparent than at this amazing to fi nally get our chance in a top-specifi cation car. fast driver, and I am looking forward to seeing how he month’s . Although a technical issue put paid While it has been a lot of hard work to get to this point, we progresses through the weekend. Needless to say, I to a strong result, Paddon posted a top-ten time on all are conscious that the level of hard work will only increase am delighted that we have been able to offer him this but one stage contested and was continuously faster than as this is very much our chance to showcase what we can opportunity.” numerous WRC contenders. do. Ultimately, I don’t want to be in a world rally car for As he makes the move to rallying’s most just one event. This is what I want to make my career EVENT BRC’S AIMING HIGH FOR 2014 Words by H&H • Picture by Jakob Ebrey Photography//BRC

The 55th running of the MSA British Rally must thank the organising committee of the MSA British Taylor said: “Rally Isle of Man has never really fallen off Championship will see seven events in its 2014 Historic Rally Championship who have been supportive in our radar and now with a rejuvenated team at the helm, it calendar, with just one signifi cant change: following returning the BRC to the front of the fi eld, in recognition has all the ingredients to become an epic event again. New a two-year break, Rally Isle of Man returns to that the Championship is the pinnacle of the sport in the initiatives have reduced the costs, provided direct sailings Britain’s premier rally series. UK and that our medium powered two-wheel drive cars from Belfast, a Douglas promenade ceremonial start and Providing a balanced split between gravel and on uncut gravel control tyres, create very little damage to spectator stage have created something new, enhancing asphalt, the 2014 series will now fi eld three closed road the road surface. This initiative will provide a National A the classic Manx stages that competitor’s love so much. and four classic forest events in its calendar, with the best rally that is traditionally seeded with the head of the snake I am looking forward to working with the new organising fi ve results deciding the overall champions. doing the full route, allowing the tail to break away for team, its partners and the Isle of Man Government in Also a new joint initiative with the MSA and BHRC their relevant podiums and fi nish ceremonies, rather than creating a festival of four wheeled motorsport.” will see the events run a National A Rally for both modern the other way around which has been heavily criticised and historic two-wheel drive cars. BRC crews will benefi t over the years. What is also important to note is that 2014 MSA British Rally Championship Calendar: from this National A rally’s full mileage and will be seeded this move will provide non-homologated cars and non- 5/6 April - Rally North Wales at the front, continuing to enjoy gravel reconnaissance. registered competitors to take part in these longer classic 3/4 May - Pirelli Rally This group will be followed closely by two further BRC and iconic events.” 30/31 May - categories and the fi eld of thoroughbred Historic cars The return of the Microgaming Rally Isle of Man 27/28 June - which will complete around 75% of the full route. Of brings with it the ultra-challenging closed roads stages 15/16 August - Ulster Rally signifi cance, entries will be open to both non-championship made famous down the event’s 50 year history, bringing 11-13 September - Rally Isle of Man registered competitors and non-homologated two-wheel the cream of Britain’s rally crews as well as those from 17/18 October - Rallye Sunseeker H&H drive cars. further afi eld to the island next September. Mark Taylor, Managing Director of UK Rally Ltd: “I Speaking about the return of Rally Isle of Man, EVENT OOGIER’SGIER’S ‘HISTORIC’‘HISTORIC’ RUNRUN ATAT RALLYDAYRALLYDAY WWordsords byby HH&H&H • PPicturesictures byby wwww.rallygallery.comww.rallygallery.com

Sébastien Ogier led another star-studded line-up genuine ex-works Group B Audi Quattro A2 originally was very kind of him.” at Rallyday 2013 on Saturday 21 September 21 as driven by 1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist who “It has been busy,” Ogier added, “There has Castle Combe Circuit played host to the UK’s premier was also attending the annual rally extravaganza. It was been a lot of pictures and a lot of autographs, but it rally car show for the thirteenth year in succession. Ogier’s fi rst-ever drive in an historic rally car and that is a pleasure to do it. The event had also given me an Ogier has all but won the 2013 WRC Drivers’ made the day extra-special for the 29-year-old. opportunity to meet a lot of fans and see a lot of different title following his sixth win of the season on WRC Rally “It was my fi rst time at Rallyday, and it was fun to cars from every generation. I had a great time.” Australia, and the Volkswagen Motorsport driver was in drive the Audi Quattro A2. I have never driven an historic was another of the current WRC demand on his debut at Rallyday by taking time out to car in my life until today,” said Ogier. “So it was a nice crop in attendance to drive the Qatar M-Sport World Rally chat to the large crowd on the main Rallyday interview opportunity. It is very different to the Polo R WRC I drive Team’s Ford Fiesta RS WRC car, the same car that he took stage as well as signing hundreds and hundreds of normally. But it was a good experience and it is nice to to sixth place overall on WRC Rallye Italia d’Sardegna back autographs. feel the evolution, between 30 years. It is funny because in June when he made his World Rally Car debut. The Frenchman, who is normally used to driving the car is the same age as me. I am born in 1983. I want “There were a lot of exciting cars here and a lot a Volkswagen Polo R WRC, got the chance to sample a to thank the owner of the car for the chance to drive it. It of people,” said Evans. “It was good fun to go out in the H&H

Feature Stage and give the Fiesta RS WRC car a quick mark the anniversary for : “What a wonderful event,” leader Jukka Korhonen and his closest rival Tom Cave outing. It has been a really good day and I hope to see said Hopkirk. “My goodness, if only there was the support joining some of the names of yesteryear in action on the everyone again now on Wales Rally GB when we will be for the WRC out there in the world that this day is getting headline Feature Stage. They were not the only famous back out in the Fiesta R5. then the WRC would be back on track. The enthusiasm faces as , Colin McRae’s former co-driver and In addition, Guy Wilks, the 2007 and 2008 British here is brilliant. I last came about 5 - 6 years ago and I Prodrive’s David Lapworth, both took time out to help Rally Champion, also drove a World Rally Car, putting the am glad they have kept it going. I had no idea how big the Colin McMaster publicly launch ‘McRae, just Colin’ – the MML Sports Mitsubishi WRC05 – Mitsubishi’s last WRC car event had got – it is huge. I don’t know how many people new book on the 1995 World Rally Champion, while Tony – through its paces, while Prodrive brought along the MINI are here and I haven’t been all around. But it is terrifi c.” Jardine (Sky Sports News’ Formula One analyst) and John Cooper Works WRC, a real contrast to the ex-works Other stars in attendance included 1989 and 1990 Olympic Skeleton Gold Medallist Amy Williams MBE were Mini Coopers, Lancia Fulvias and Hillman Imps that were British Rally Champion David Llewllin, 1977 British Rally on hand as they gear up to compete on Wales Rally GB in celebrating their 50th Anniversary at this year’s show. Champion , as well as youngsters from November. Paddy Hopkirk, Mini Cooper driving legend and the current MSA British Rally Championship which had an winner of the 1964 , was on hand to help offi cial presence at the event with current championship EVENT NON-STOP ACTION IN CROATIA RALLY Words by H&H • Picture by ERC Media

With the dust still settling following Poland’s action- Aigner and Bonnefi s are in prime position to capitalise on R3T as team-mate to fellow Australian . Unlike packed FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) the Czech driver’s absence. The ERC 2WD Championship is Coppin, Taylor will make a somewhat shorter journey from counter last weekend, the focus switches to Croatia more straightforward with Zoltán Bessenyey more than 50 her current base in Italy. as ERC Super September concludes on the country’s points ahead of his closest challenger Kornél Lukács. But With a switch to new host venue Poreč, several spectacular Adriatic coast. with two rounds left after Croatia, there’s plenty of points changes have been made to the route of the Croatia Rally. A regular fi xture on the ERC roster since the up for grabs. In the ERC Ladies’ Trophy, Ekaterina Stratieva The Butoniga and Buzet stages, run twice on leg two, are championship’s restructuring in 2004, the 40th anniversary must take maximum points to prevent Molly Taylor from completely new, while Salteria, the longest of the rally at Croatia Rally marks a return to asphalt for the ERC clinching the inaugural crown. 29.88km, features elements of previously used stages but regulars following the gravel-based LOTOS 70 Rally Among the packed entry, several leading has never been run in this layout before. The Poreč SSS, Poland. Such has been the popularity of the ERC in 2013, Croatian drivers will be taking part in Round ten of the run last night and set for Saturday afternoon, is also new local organisers have attracted a packed entry for the 12-event ERC season. Juraj Šebalj, a three-time winner for 2013, while tweaks have been made to a number of championship’s fi rst visit to the seaside town of Poreč, a of the Croatia Rally, is the leading local seed in his Skoda other stages. The Croatia Rally is well known for its fast new venue for the Croatia Rally. Fabia S2000, while Daniel Šaškin, who has experience of and mountainous roads, which are characterised by a It’s not just the overall title that will be a competing on the Dakar Rally, has a new-generation Ford slippery asphalt surface. Although warm and dry conditions talking point in Croatia. The chase for success in the ERC Fiesta R5 at his disposal. Šebalj currently tops the Croatia are expected, rain can also be a factor in the Production Car Cup, ERC 2WD Championship and ERC and Serbian championship standings. Niko Pulić has won peninsular where the event is based. Huge numbers of Ladies’ Trophy continues when the action got underway the Croatia Rally on two previous occasions and will be out fans follow the action and as well as hosting the ERC, the last night with SS1. Jaroslav Orsák holds an 18-point lead to impress. Croatia Rally will also be staging a beauty pageant, pre- over Impreza R4 STI ace Andreas Aigner in the Two drivers have travelled great distances to and post-rally parties, plus a number of sets by leading ERC Production Car Cup stakes with young star Germain compete in Croatia. Henk Lategan is jetting in from South Croatian DJs. Therre will be 14 stages in total over three Bonnefi s ( Mégane RS N4) four points behind Africa to take part on his fi rst asphalt rally, while Arian days and 414.81km of timed action. H&H Aigner. But with Orsák unable to take part due to illness, Coppin will be making his ERC debut in a Citroën DS3 EVENT YORKSHIRE PUDDING, ANYONE? Words by H&H • Pictures by Jakob Ebrey Photography/Pirelli/BRC

As Rally Yorkshire kicked off in 2012, who knew a missed gear-change separated the top pair: just two When the crews moved from Scottish tarmac to that the classic North Yorkshire Forest stages would seconds after 01hr 30min of fl at out rallying. Proof, as if Scottish gravel, he was bested by young Ulsterman Alastair witness the closest fi nish in the MSA British Rally proof were needed, that the series is more competitive Fisher/Gordon Noble. They climbed a place from third, but Championship’s history? than it has ever been. And proof that watching these cars were clearly disappointed not to win, the Finnish desire for Certainly not eventual winner Tom Cave; certainly driven fl at-out through the darkness of Dalby Forest will be victory still very evident. not runner-up Osian Pryce. But there it was: a dead a sight to behold. Sadly for Fisher, his chances of repeating his fi rst heat, ultimately decided by the driver who was fastest After two gravel events and two on asphalt, the ever BRC win were dashed with a crash on the event’s on the opening stage by a tenth of a second. Although championship advantage is with the 2011 second stage. Gutted, he re-started to uphold local the 2013 event will be the last as part of the MSA British Jukka Korhonen. After vowing to win the title at the end honours, but would fi nish fi fteenth – surely a dropped Rally Championship, the chances of a repeat of such a of last year, the Finn opened his account with two wins on score at the end of the season. nail-biting fi nish at its swansong are not that distant. The the trot. But, had it not been for Pirelli Rally punctures (the The ding-dong battle that could have formed front-runners’ Citroën DS3s are identical, their Pirelli tyres irony is not lost on us either!) it could have been a very between Korhonen and Osian Pryce/Dale Furniss never are identical, their Sunoco fuel is identical and the level of different story. really materialised. Pryce was on top form and coupled commitment is – well let’s say on a par, to avoid repetition. Despite favouring gravel, he and Marko Salminen with the Finns’ desire to grab valuable points after Cave Two events this year have been decided by a were on top form on the Jim Clark Rally, pipping Tom Cave/ too left the fray, the Welshman grabbed the victory that handful of seconds - the closest the Jim Clark Rally where Ieuan Thomas by 02sec for win number two. eluded him in Yorkshire last year. The battle for the overall honours has not been is driving a Citroën DS3 R3T as his prize for impressing at third overall on Todds Leap Rally NI, local lad Jon the only story of the Championship. The BRC RallyTwo title last year’s shootout – a dream result for a youngster who Armstrong maintains a six point lead over southern is also hotly contested. All cars outside the top R3 class are has ticked all the right boxes in the BRC over the last few counterpart David Carney in the RAVENOL Oils Newcomers eligible, and it looked like it could go any way early on. years. Still just 22, he and Dai Roberts have taken a little Trophy. Carney’s win in Ulster now moves him into a clear Norwegian Steve Røkland with English co-driver time to adjust to the fl appy paddle gearbox and 1600cc second, albeit only two points ahead of Mckay. James Aldridge set the early pace with a win in Kielder. turbo car. But they seem to have found a sweet spot with The event will be based at the newly refurbished But, Scots Garry Pearson and Tom Hynd second would be third on home asphalt last time out. The nominations Pickering Showground. The rally begins with cars on followed by two retirements. Third on that occasion were for this year’s coveted Pirelli-funded prize have been display, autographs and a ceremonial start in Pickering Irish duo Daniel McKenna and Arthur Kierans. But, despite awarded thus: Pirelli Foundation Rally - Market Place from 17h30 on Friday 27th September. First problems on each subsequent event they have been Steve Røkland, Jim Clark Rally - Daniel McKenna, RSAC away at 18h30 will be the Trackrod Historic Cup, followed successful pulling out a seven-point lead in the title fi ght. Scottish Rally - Ruary MacLeod, Todds Leap Rally NI - Jon by the BRC Challenge and fi nally the main BRC Rally Chris Ingram, Ruary MacLeod and Røkland have Armstrong. Who next? Yorkshire competitors departing Pickering from 20h30. taken the runners-up spots when McKenna took the spoils, The MSA British Junior Rally Championship and The fi rst special stage will take place in Dalby with Røkland, Timmy Cathcart and Alex Parpottas taking Twingo Renaultsport R1 Trophy UK points tables are Forest including the famous Dalby Woodyard, which will not the fi nal podium steps on rounds two, three and four identical - a fi ght between Ben Mckay and Harry Threlfall. be fl oodlit to give that real night-stage feel, with spectators respectively. Mckay has three wins on the trot to his and co-driving dad able to view the action from 20h30. The Trackrod With so many podium-sitters, it makes for a real Jason’s credit. However all the events are new to both Challenge Rally fi nishes back at Pickering Showground on page-turner on each event and no doubt Rally Yorkshire crews this year, so it the prestigious titles are still all to Saturday at lunchtime, with the BRC running another two will be no different. play for. stages to fi nish just before 5pm. The 2012 Pirelli Star Driver winner Mark Donnelly Despite a crash while holding an awe inspiring CLOSING SHOT

Rallye Deutschland and Rallye de France-Alsace. Momentous celebrations in the air for the Volkswagen Motorsport team, but it was disappoint for the German squad at their home event. Will the French round see them crack open the victory champagne? Picture: Eva Kovkova