Hello MGers!
Most of you know about our MGB GT rally car. Well, Rim of the World
(http://www.rimoftheworldrally.com/), 5-6 May, was our first event.
We had tremendous support, even from people who thought we were crazy
to rally an old Brit car. So many of the spectators, workers, and
competitors came to us to talk about how they had (or still have!)
such and such MG, Healy, or TR. A lot of people were cheering us on!
Some information on the event: Rim of the World is part of the SCCA
National ProRally Championship (http://www.scca.org) and a part of the
California Rally Series (http://www.californiarallyseries.com/). We
were competing in the SCCA ClubRally/CRS rally. Basically us amatuer
club level guys get to run two rallies where the professional national
level guys have one rally that is both days.
Rim of the World is run over some really challenging roads in the
Angeles National Forest north of LA. The rally is based in Palmdale,
California.
On the Friday night stages, we were losing a lot of coolant due to a
couple of leaks that developed. We overheated a couple of times, and
ended up with a seized engine on the last stage. Thanks to the wonders
of cast iron technology, after cooling down the engine restarted, and
we were on our way! Some work in Parc Expose saturday morning meant
that the cooling system was at the least better, so we started the
second event. We took some big rocks, I didn't have time to put a skid
pan under the nose before the event, geeze, Thursday night we were still
mounting the tow hooks and putting the required decals on!
So, with a dent in the sump the size of an orange, a seized engine on
one stage...we ended up taking first place in our class! Yes, it was
due to attrition, but that means the old MG survived roads that ate
a number of better prepared more modern machines!
For all of you guys out there who are potential sponsors (I know a number
of MG business owners are on this list!) some nice points--
The car drew a lot of attention, at an event with worldwide coverage.
Many of the competitors and workers own MGs.
It is the only British car in the California Rally Series, one
of only a handful of LBC's in the entire Rally program.
Team Sanctuary is currently leading the CRS stock class points!
Because the car is unique, we've already received special invitations
to other events!
We've got a lot of space on the car!
We're also looking for some other things -- I believe there are 4.11
gears for the 'B rear, that'd be wonderful, and a replacement sump,
and a couple of good used downpipes.
Next event we *will* have skid pans, and some other work done. Maybe
we'll even have time to put that Union Jack on the roof!
Only one complaint -- gaskets. Yuck!!! We got 'em from Moss (nothing
personal guys!) and the rocker cover and thermostat gaskets we got
looked like they were made by 5th graders out of the cheapest cork-boards
anyone could find. I can remember buying much higher quality
valve cover gaskets...are they still out there? In their defense,
Moss (hi Kelvin), I can understand a) being competitive, and b) selling
what's available. We have and will continue to buy many of our parts
from Moss.
Gang, please check out the links above, particularly the "Rim" pages,
there are pictures of the 'B there!
If you guys are interested, I'll try to write up a more complete posting
telling of the amazing time we had at the rally.
Safety Fast!
-Keith Wheeler
Team Sanctuary http://www.TeamSanctuary.com/
SCCA ClubRally MGB GT #359
|