Simon Malins tells his story of the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally in the Wizbang Fabrication prepared Martin Group Vauxhall Firenza.
3.15 AM 21st November the alarm goes off and it’s time to get up. I’m off to Selby to meet up with the Lebeter family who will be looking after me, Mark Casey (my co-driver) and the Firenza on the Roger Albert Clark Rally. Have I bitten off more than I can chew? Last time I was in the forests it was in a Group N Peugeot 205 and that was about 30 years ago! Rear wheel drive and around 200 bhp is a different kettle of fish. Our aim was to complete all the stages and stay within maximum lateness at all the controls. For the record books we finished 64th overall and one of only 38 crews to complete all the stages we could. If it wasn’t for ‘super rally’ we would have finished 35th!

A new engine from AMAC Engineering in Northallerton, new Tracksport gearbox and the Salisbury 4HA axle was re-built by Ian Jemison at York. All the suspension was beefed up to cope with the anticipated rough conditions after the passage of over 250 cars on repeated stages. ​In addition, and what turned out to be the star of the service park was the Bedford CF Service Van that Mick somehow found the time to build resplendent in its matching Martin Group Livery. It must have been the most photographed non competing vehicle on the event.
Having all arrived safely in Leominster late Thursday morning we had pole position in the service area directly in front of the Den Sport mega motorhome close to the entrance of the service park. Scrutineering thank goodness was without any issues especially as Mark is a qualified scrutineer himself. It was then a long wait, actually about 8 hours to leaving the service park at our allocated start time of 7.52 pm. The ceremonial start was in the town centre so we made our way there at our allotted time and sat in the queue ready to take our place on the start ramp. 

​The first full day was to be based around a central service area on the Epynt Military Ranges in the Brecon Beacons. The stages were very wet and slippery with patchy fog to catch you out if the road conditions hadn’t already done that. Running at car 110 towards the end of the field meant we saw all the carnage including a Honda Civic parked on top of a very large boulder teetering over a somewhat large drop into the valley below. The DMack tyres were proving to be well suited to the conditions with excellent grip under both braking and acceleration. It was late afternoon and dark by the time we got back to the last service of the day. Having parked up the trailer in a remote car park on the ranges in daylight it was quite a task and took some considerable amount of time for Mick and Ryan to find it and negotiate the traffic back to the service area. With everything loaded it was time to start the 6 hour trek up to Carlisle which was to be the base for the rally for the next 3 days. Mark’s mum and dad were with us for the event so we had a nice comfortable run ‘up north’ with them. Without stages in North Wales or the midlands there are not many alternatives to this ‘transport’ section. Any work on the car would be left to Saturday morning as our start time would be around 10 am. We finally reached our Hotel at one o’clock in the morning for a well-earned sleep.

One 300 yard section through Kershope was diabolically rough having just had hard core poured onto it. Second time though it was hardly passable. Other than that the roads were holding up well. Our only serious problem of the morning was total electrical failure at the in control to service. After pushing the car to our service barge Mick quickly diagnosed a lose battery earth which was re-tightened and off we went for the 3 afternoon stages. Most of the stages were covered in fog so with visibility down to no more than 20 yards we could only crawl through most of the remaining stages. We were now in survival mode just looking to get through the last couple of stages with still two more days to go.​Another 10.00 am start on Sunday morning saw us travel north into the Scottish Borders for some well-known RAC Rally stages such as AE, Twiglees, Castle O’er and Craik. Service for the day would be from a large lorry park in Lockerbie. The morning didn’t start too well getting to the end of Gerskine with a loose rear wheel. After the first run through Ae we developed a knocking sound from the rear suspension which was sorted by Ryan tightening up the rear suspension bolts by the side of the road. After the second run through Ae a more critical problem arose. 

re-appearance of the electrical problem, this time just before the start control for the Craik Stage. I tightened up the earth got back in the car and still no power, panic. What could be wrong this time. I soon realised that Mark had knocked off the master cut-out switch! After repeat runs of Twiglees and Castle O’er it was back to Carlisle for another well-earned sleep, only one day to go but that was a return to the Keilder complex this time with stages around the reservoir.​re-appearance of the electrical problem, this time just before the start control for the Craik Stage. I tightened up the earth got back in the car and still no power, panic. What could be wrong this time. I soon realised that Mark had knocked off the master cut-out switch! After repeat runs of Twiglees and Castle O’er it was back to Carlisle for another well-earned sleep, only one day to go but that was a return to the Keilder complex this time with stages around the reservoir.

Even on the last stage cars were still flying off the road, I think we counted 6, the last one of which was only two miles from the end so we stopped and pulled him out. He was very grateful at the finish.
The one hour run to the finish back in Carlisle seemed to be never ending but we finally got there and took our place under the finish arch. Job completed we finished the event, completed all the stages and kept within max lateness. Many thanks must go to Mark for keeping me on the road, Mick and Ryan for preparation of the car and keeping it going on the event, Liam for ably assisting Ryan in the management car, Steph (Mick’s wife) who kept us all well fed and watered during the whole event and to Mark’s parents for ferry us to and from various locations.
An absolutely epic endurance event. Many felt it was the closest it has come to re-creating the iconic Lombard RAC Rallies of the 70’s. Will I be back for more in 2021? Never say never!

Words:- Simon Malins
Pictures:- Malc Almond and the RAC organising team

Following a year long rebuild the Vauxhall Firenza of Simon Malins will undertake the marathon Roger Albert Clark rally this weekend. Accompanying Simon on the 1100 mile journey is the local navigator, Mark Cassey from York Motor Club who is a veteran at this event with this being his 7th year competing in it. Helping to keep the crew on the road, we have built a classic Bedford CF service van complete with matching livery. Fingers crossed they wont keep us too busy and we hope to see many of you out and about over the weekend. Good luck to Simon and Mark, along with all of the other competitors, crews and marshals.

Over the past 8 months we have moved into the adjoining unit which caused some considerable disruption to work on the various projects that are currently under construction. Here is a short update on the cars we currently have in the workshop.

Lotus Talbot Sunbeam:
Nearing completion this car is fitted with a 2.2 Litre 16 valve Lotus Engine, sequential 6 speed transmission and an atlas axle. Over the past 12 months we have been installing the engine, transmission and suspension. With a lot of bespoke components to design and make it has taken longer than anticipated. It will soon be leaving us to have a custom exhaust manifold/system fitted and completion of the wiring loom.

Opel Manta A:
This one is also near to being finished. The car is built to a specification for Historic Road Rallying. Its 1600 cc engine is now installed and currently being plumbed in. The rear axle which has a 4.22 LSD and steel torque tube is ready to install. The interior has been fitted out with a comprehensive set of navigational and timing equipment which is vital for the regularity sections of Historic Road Rallies. The bespoke wiring loom has been designed and fitted in-house. If all goes to plan it should be out on its first event later in the year.

Martin Group Firenza:
The Firenza is currently being prepared for the 2019 Roger Albert Clark Rally in November. Having originally been built as a tarmac car it is being strengthened to withstand the gravel roads used on the R.A.C. Rally. Along with strengthened suspension components the car is being treated to a new engine built by AMAC Engineering. The Salisbury 4HA Axle is currently at Ian Jemison’s having a health check and a new rocket gearbox is on order. The plan is to have the car ready in time to run it in and have a couple of testing sessions prior to the November event.

Martin Group Bedford CF Service Van:
Whilst not strictly in the workshop (we don’t have enough room for it!) the van is being fitted out ready to support Simon Malins’ Firenza on the R.A.C. Rally. Next job is to fabricate the roof rack to accommodate the wheels/tyres required for the event. It should make quite a sight on the event alongside the Firenza and hopefully bring back some memories of the 70’s when the late George Hill drove the original Martin Group Firenza on what was then the Lombard RAC Rally.
 
News from competitors:
Simon Malins in his Hillman Hunter has been competing in the HRCR Clubmans Road Rally Championship this year and is currently lying 3rd in class after the first 4 rounds. The season kicked off with the Tour of Cheshire in early March and then moved to Yorkshire for the North Yorkshire Classic and Ilkley Jubilee rallies. The Hunter, now in its 3rd year of competition and has retained its 100% finishing record. 18th overall on the Tour of Cheshire was a good start to the year especially as Simon had a new navigator, Ian Doble sitting in the left hand seat for the event. With no more than a spanner check it was off to the North Yorkshire Classic with another new navigator, John Youd this time guiding him on a route around York. A missed code board and an excursion off route contributed to a disappointing final result of 32rd overall. It was evident that the Hunter needed some work to the brakes and axle. Back in the workshop the axle was stripped and we found that the LSD had lost its pre-load so it was taken down to Gripper in Coventry where they offer a great rebuild while you wait service. Oil was also leaking onto one of the rear brakes so new bearings/seals were fitted and a seized up handbrake adjuster sorted. The Hunter was now ready for Simon and yes, you guessed it a 3rd new navigator, Suzanne Barker, to tackle the Ilkley Jubilee Rally. With the Hunter now handling and stopping better than it ever has 20th overall was another good result and more class points for Simon in the HRCR Clubmans Championship. The next round is the East Anglian Classic at the end of the month.  
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New Projects:
In the welding bay is a Vauxhall Chevette Saloon which is being restored to a ‘fast road’ spec. The plan is to fit a group 4 big arch kit, Opel Manta rear axle and a Ford 5 speed gearbox. Power plant is probably going to be a Ford Pinto but other options can be considered. The finished car will be for sale so if you are interested in owning a useable performance classic that’s a bit different please call Ryan on    ………
Future builds in the pipeline include a Viva HB Historic Stage Rally Car, a Group 4 Chevette HS and a Vauxhall Magnum 2300 Historic Rally Car.

I'd like to announce that following a period of ill health and relocating to a new workshop that Wizbang Fabrication is now back up and running again. First job on what is quickly becoming a long list is to finish the A series manta I started a couple of years ago ........
​Pictures to follow

The ​standard fuel tank has been replaced by a centrally mounted unit in the boot. All the glass in the doors is being replaced by polycarbonate as this was one of the modifications that Rootes did to the London to Sydney Marathon cars in an effort to reduce the overall weight of the car.   
Re-assembly of the car started in the Spring. The rear suspension has been uprated with stiffer leaf springs and Bilstein dampers. At the front the McPherson struts have been modified by Cornering Force, a company in Harrogate who specialise in design and building race and rally suspension. The struts have been re-tubed, Bilstein inserts installed, uprated front springs and heavy duty top mounts fitted. The front cross member has been reinforced and extra mountings fitted for the sump guard. 
The engine is the 1725 cc Holbay unit from the Hunter GLS. It differs from the standard engine with revised combustion chambers, gas flowed inlet and exhaust ports and a high lift camshaft. It runs on a pair of Weber 40 DCOE carbs and has a four branch tubular exhaust manifold. The engine has been fully rebuilt by Richard Guy who built the engine for the original London to Sydney Marathon car.

​Rallying so the interior trim has to remain in the car and some ‘comfortable’ seats for driver and navigator fitted. Full harnesses seat belts and fire extinguishers have been installed along with navigational equipment which includes a Brantz Tripmeter, Brantz Clock and map light.
The car runs on 6x13 Minilite Style wheels with Vredestein Quadtrac Winter Tyres for dealing with both tarmac and loose surface tests. 
Last weekend the car was entered on the Stocktonian Targa Rally at the weekend as a shakedown for the Rally of the Tests and for Simon and new navigator Nick Pullan for the Rally of the Tests. After a steady run throughout the day they finished the 16 test event without any major problems.
The car is now on it’s way down to the start on Thursday in Bournemouth, keep your eyes on our facebook page for daily reports on the 4 day event which finishes in Chester on Sunday.