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(Stage 0.14)
25 Hour Endurance RaceA midrace snapshot20 October 2002
Temperature 14 C, intermittent light rain. The vehicles maintained the spread. The rush hour traffic had peaked but we could still expect some delays. Sustained driver concentration continued to be the primary issue but mechanical fatigue started to show itself through symptoms The figures show starting position (-) early lap1 position and (-) end lap 1 position (-) and end lap 2 position etc No further minor hazards have been encountered. Relief drivers continue to ensure that eye and muscle strains are 'cured' by a period of rest. There have been no serious incidents... This report is now, due to the spread of the competitors, is produced as soon as possible after teams have lapped and marked 'finalised' as soon as all the information (including supplementary pictures) are in. Dave
has 'disappeared' and there is a gap of 20 minutes until the second
group follows the first across the start line.
13-12-12-12-10-5-3-1-2 6-4-4-5-2-1-1-2-2 After the 20 minute gap (10:45) Andrew's group keep steady but have lost Louise & Alison - there is still no sign of Dave #22 . Mick Jim & Phlip have used the slow traffic to their advantage and wriggled their way into a higher group than last lap. |
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,4-5-5-4-5-6-5-4-4-3 2-2-2-3-1-2-4-6-7-4 7-7-7-8-11-11-10-10-5-5 16-16-15-17-15-14-12-12-8-6 15-18-17-15-17-17-13-8-10-7 25 minutes further back (11:10) - speeds are picking up again now and the gaps are shortening in time but not in distance which has remained fairly constant after the groups were established. Louise is leading this group, Peter #9 has not rejoined this group and must be falling back. Alison has slipped within the group and we can see Dave, having dropped from being the race leader, with an obvious problem, trying to keep up after a splendid race earlier. The group has been joined by Pete Simper and Alan Cole who are both 'on a roll' 9-8-9-10-8-7-6-5-6-8 5-6-6-6-6-9-9-9-11-9
10-9-8-9-12-12-11-11-12-11 25-23-24-25-23-23-18-17-14-12 21-21-21-19-19-19-16-16-13-13 3-3-3-1-3-8-7-7-5-14 |
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Barry
Annells 
"My
experience as a younger man in Spa, where the endurance
races are really demanding put me in good stead for this
competition. I've had a lot of luck and, again from experience,
I know it's not all over until the checkered flag is waved."
Pukka Soak
"They
call us flying finns - in Finland the air is clear and there
are lots of down hill runs. Like Barry I think I have enjoyed
an element of luck - the M25 is trickier than it looks."
Andrew
Duff (bulb failure (OK))
"It
is a wonderful tribute to this horizontally opposed twin engine
that it can still keep up with traffic over 50 years since it was
designed particularly to be robust and reliable. I have been free
from serious incident and the weather has been taxing but things
look promising for the last stages"
Helen
Roberts 
"I
remember when the M25 was just a dream. We don't have anything like
it in Kenya and although I'm a keen rallyist I had to draw on special
reserves to deal with the psychological challenges."
Mick
Thompson (Stiff muscles- ok)
"The
landscape isn't as bonnie as it is in Scotland but that helps you
to concentrate. I a very pleased to have escaped from mechanical
challenges so far."
"Although
I have used the M25 a lot I have never before tried to out-wit it.
I have climbed though a third of the field but none of that was
due to 'local knowledge', frankly I have been in the right place
at the right time. I hope we continue without too many incidents"
Phlip
Nierop 
Louise
Northern 
"I
love motoring. My car is very nicely fitted out. I like the look
of butch cars but I believe that if you're comfortable you can get
on with it. Having the extra wheels helped enormously in the early
stages but I don't seem to be making much headway at the moment."
Wendy
(eye-strain (OK)) 
"I
found the glaring headlights very wearing - it's a pity the barriers
aren't better thought out. It gives you more sympathy for drivers
who have to spend a lot of time on the roads but I suppose most
of the lorry drivers are high enough to not worry about the lights
in their eyes"
11-11-10-11-9-4-2-3-1-10
Dave
Farmar (problem)
"Well
I have had a fabulous time and the Bamboo (Special 2CV) has done
really well. I think I have a tyre problem - you can't win them
all!
Elaine
(tiredness - ok) 
"It's
the firs time that I have done anything like this and I look forward
to hearing the stories the other drivers have to tell. I can see
why some people get addicted - to endurance racing, not the M25!"
Alan Cole 
"I
like the effect of concentrating for long periods of time. Perhaps
it's the sort of thing that Zen types aim for but when you are concentrating
hard you mind is very clear and even though it's hard work it is
also strangely relaxing. The lomax is ideal for this sort of event
being so manoeuvrable. I started 25th and have gained 12 places
- not bad , but there's a long time to go yet.
Pete
Simper 
"I
have always loved 2CVs but it would be fun to try this sort of thing
in one of my light fifteens. I wouldn't do it though, the way people
drive nowadays, particularly on the M25 I wouldn't want to risk
a precious car. That's one of the nice things about the 2CV not
that they are not lovely but they are so easy to repair and with
such goo brakes and steering if you are alert you can out manoeuvre
other drivers nine times out of ten"
Alison King (Stiff muscles(OK)Problem) 
"I
haven't done well on paper but I have enjoyed myself. I found the
nighttime driving a strain, people were driving aggressively and
there was a lot of goods traffic creating a lot of spray. The fun
is the challenge and the struggle and seeing how you cope. I have
enjoyed it much more than I expected. "31-29-27-27-25-24-19-18-15-15
Jeff
Colmer
"Frankly
you can keep the M25, I'm looking forward to Africa. I wouldn't like to
break down here, you can't exactly stop by the side of the road and do
any repairs. Just stopping safely would be a challenge for most people"
14-14-14-14-14-15-14-14
-16-16
Yvette
Asscher (eye-strain ok)
"
I do have a lot of inside knowledge of the M25 and it hasn't done me any
good at all. I avoid it like the plague nowadays but I dread to think
how we would cope if we all had to drive through central London like we
used to."
12-13-13-13-13-
13-15-15 -17-17
Gillian
(bulb
failure ok) 
"The
car has run well. A bulb failure made me feel more vulnerable but the
M25 is quite well lit most of the way round. I have enjoyed it but I will
be glad when it's over"
32-30-30-28-26-25-23-23-2218
Emma
"My
first experience with a 2CV. The gear shift is great once you stop yourself
thinking about what to do. It doyens make sense if you 'try' but once
you forget it is unbelievable how the light engine can be charmed to give
just the right power for the job. I am surprised that the controls are
so light and positive. I really look forward to Africa. There hasn't been
much to look at and I'm keen to see the African landscape and, if we have
time, do a lot od sketches."
35-31-31-29-27-26-24-24
23-19 
Bob
Cutler
"What
annoys me is that the government don't think of people like me when they
build roads like the M25. What is the point of a Road that goes back to
where you start from - fine if your the sort of person that forgets things
and has to go back for them Now they annoy me."
12:00 Fairly close, some 10 minuets later Mark continues to lead this consistent and improving group now joined by Peter who is having problems but managing to keep going. Adrian has leapt forward from the following group.
17-18-19-20-20-20-22-19-19-20
Mark
Whiting 
"People
have been giving my car funny looks and that has taken away from my concentration
to some extent I suppose. The smile will be on the other side when we're
in Africa. The car is virtually invisible behind eight foot high grey
reeds."
24-22-22-22-21-21-20-20-21-21
Mike
Roeder
"I
knew having a low ratio gear box would put us out of contention but we
haven't done badly at all and it has been an interesting experience so
far."
8-10-11-
7-7-10-21-21-20-22
Gerry
(funny noise ok) 
"I
don't want to say much now. I have had some mechanical problems but I'm
getting on with it and making headway"
18-17-16-16-16-16-17-22-24-23
Dick
Roberts "I wonder who thought of this! It's not as frightening as
the Terriferique nor as interesting as' abroad but it is fun to be in
the race. I think I am past my best though something's not quite right
and, if you stop to see what you can do, you loose time and position.
Ho hum"
20-20-20-21-22-22-25
-26-26-24
Adrian
Winter (eye-strain ok)
"The
Dutch style of driving is strangely suited to the M25. Bad luck with the
traffic held me back to start with but I moving forwards now."
1-1-1-2-
4-3-8-13-18-25
Peter
Duck (wiper failure ok)
"Oh
well after a success at the Salt Flats Land Speed Record which surprised
me I suppose I was in for a few problems started very well but the high
tune has cost a lot and I would be quite happy to keep going, this isn't
really a race that is suited to an H-Van"
There still isn't much of a gap before the last large group which is actually creeping forwards (relatively and actually) There has been quite a bit of jostling and this group has started to divide into live wires and duds. Roy is showing great potential, lets hope that there is still time to use this. The others are doing very well. Lots of other cars and drivers couldn't have reached this remarkable standard. Its a pity they are all A-series Citroens (except the H Vans of course)
Peter's funny smell has cleared - and no-one knows what it was - the car had had a special set up using innovative float levels, jet sizes and master flaps in the carburetor, a revised oil cooler layout with special pipework and air ducting through zornon tubing. The problem was probably caused by one of these factors. Zornon gas readings in the cabin have dropped from 10,000,000 units per litre to 1.7 which is still slightly above normal.
28-27-29-31-31-33-36-34-32-26
Roy
(case of the tappits ok) 
"I
had a funny feeling when we started and when I saw my tappets I was surprised
that I had managed to keep the car on the road. Now they have been fixed
I can get on with it but it's too late for the podium."
33-32-33-32-32-29-29-25-25-27
Andrew
Thorne 
"I'm
creeping forward. The tuned wasn't quite right from the outset and, as
a keen musician, I am very aware how important this can be. I am looking
forward to the rest of the rally."
34-.33-32-33-35-34
- 32-28-27-28
James
McDonald (spluttering 0k)
"I
have just been unlucky. The M25 isn't such a bad place to have problems
there are so many garages close to hand - I think it will be more challenging
when we are miles from anywhere. That will be a good test of resourcefulness
and ingenuity. I have enjoyed meeting the other teams. This event has
really broken the ice - and it even felt that cold yesterday! although
it's a lot warmer now
26-26-28-30-28-27-26-27-28-29
Roger
Scott
"Not
a lucky race for me. Sometimes things go that way. I have enjoyed the
struggle and as Shirley Bassey says "I will survive!""
23-25-25-24-30-32
-33-29-29-30
Dave
Shove 
(funny
smell possibly electrical ok)" I'm more of a Piaff person myself
I have had Je ne regretta Rien running through my head right through the
race. I did have dampness in the electrics, not enough to be a show stopper
but it has taken the edge off the performance. Still I've had a good time"
19-19-18-18-18-18-27-30-30-31
Peter
Kertesz (funny smell ok)
"I
don't think I spent enough time preparing the engine frankly. There are
some splendid pointless ignition systems that you can fit and you wouldn't
even know that they were there. Dials are very useful although together
they can put a drain on the battery. I am glad that I had a gass-chromo-extrapolizer
gauge how else would I have known about the Zornon gas. I' really looking
forward to getting the bonnet up."
22-24-23-23-29-30-30-31-31-32
Bill
Harwood (radio failure ok)
"Not
my day really but I am philosophical about things like this. It's more
important that James, the car, is fit for another day than gets hammered
trying to do too much on an event like this."
30-28-26-26-24-28-28-32-34-33
Alan
Taylor 
"Having
an H Van BS (Big Style) wasn't where you would want to start from if you
were going to a place like this. It is not false consolation to say we've
done well - I now we are low in the placings but in the return match (delivering
500kg of fresh herrings to Le Cafe de Truc in Vernerve) I would definitely
have the last laugh over the 2cvers"
37-35-35-35-33-31-31-33-33-34
Colin
Maitland)
"I
haven't really got anything yo say at the moment. I do like the smell
of the Rallysuds soap. I might buy a bar"
A further 15 minutes takes us to a group that seems to be dropping out
36-34-34-34-36-36-35-36-35
-35 
Madamme
X (Stiff muscles ok+ wiper failure ok+ Belching ok
"No comment, I have my reasons"
35-36-36-36-34-35-
34-35-36-36 
Ulla
Baagoe 
"This
sort of thing is taken in your stride in Denmark - I will think about
this for a long time".
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