Roger Albert Clark Rally 2023

[Rob Gaskin]

Guys this rally takes place this weekend and starts TONIGHT. Top class entry including a 240Z (number 105) .

The rally is trying to re-enact the marvellous days of the original RAC Rally, an event I followed many times.

Roger Clark a local (Hinckley) hero of mine was the UKs leading driver in the early 70s and just happens to have the initials RAC.

Entries:

Roger Albert Clark Rally 2023 - Seeded Entry List

Route:

Route

 

[Dale]

Looks to be being live streamed on this YouTube channel…

https://youtube.com/@SpecialStage?si=fH17q5ezLta-Z99D

 

[atomman]

My Photographer friend was there last night and is following it taking pics. looks good

 

[SteveG]

Too many Mk2 escorts

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Too many Mk2 escorts

That is a common problem with historic rallies. To be honest there were a huge proportion of Escorts rallying 'in their day'. I rallied in Imps, Avengers and Minis but Escorts were the preferred choice of the top guys.

The aftermarket spares availability for modifying Escorts is so good they are a 'no brainer' for anyone wanting a small, powerful, great handling rally car. The parts are so well proven too.

So 'hats off' to people rallying something else like Seb Perez in the Stratos (which is already in trouble I believe).

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I watched live coverage from Stage 5 for 3 hours - couldn't help myself. Waited until the Datsun went through the stage.

 

[Robotsan]

I watch live coverage from Stage 5 for 3 hours - couldn't help myself. Waited until the Datsun went through the stage.

I put it on but work immediately got in the way. Saw a lot of Escorts though! How did the Datsun do?

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Yes sooooo many Escorts. The Datsun basically has to finish that will be a result IMO on this marathon.

 

[Nigel Brook]

Guys this rally takes place this weekend and starts TONIGHT. Top class entry including a 240Z (number 105) .

The rally is trying to re-enact the marvellous days of the original RAC Rally, an event I followed many times.

Roger Clark a local (Hinckley) hero of mine was the UKs leading driver in the early 70s and just happens to have the initials RAC.

Entries:

Roger Albert Clark Rally 2023 - Seeded Entry List

Route:

Route

Also a SSS Datsun

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Also a SSS Datsun

Yes saw it Nigel. Red and white.

 

[DaveF]

I'm going to Kielder on Sunday to watch this....can't wait! Hoping to see the 240z (and the TR7 V8!)

 

[Davidsw]

That’s great I’m going to watch this .

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Guys, just seen the 240Z through stage 20.

Proper endurance event this.

Oliver Solberg is very impressive - oh to be young again.

 

[yellowz]

Is it me or does the Z look slow?

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Is it me or does the Z look slow?

Well if you compare it with the top guys it will look slow. To look fast on any motorsport event you have got to be very fast. These guys are no doubt rallying on a budget with little experience and hoping to get to the finish. It's tough on the car and a slight mistake can end the rally for you and cost a fortune. I imagine it will cost a fortune to do the rally - entry fee, car purchase and preparation, spares, accommodation, fuel, support crew expenses etc etc.

The Entry Fee alone was £4900.

Try it.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

So the Datsun 240Z is still going but slowly.

It's so hard to understand the difficulties unless you have taken part. Apparently this crew have done 9 Classic Safari rallies - respect.

I think I'll start a thread on my experiences as a 'Club' competitor and others can add their own experiences.

The two sports I have competed in are rallying and running. Unless you have done these (or any sports) it will be hard to understand the gap between the best and the rest. I have run a marathon in 2 hrs 52min, which is roughly 6min 30 secs per mile. The best can run their marathon and then wait 50mins for me to finish - try it! My eldest is a reasonable cyclist and can ride 25 miles in an hour, the top guys i.e. Tour de France would think nothing of that - again try it.

So when watching from the sidelines........

 

[DaveF]

I was at Newcastleton and Kielder yesterday....didn't see the Datsun though unfortunately. I did see the Lancia Stradale and a very fast Toyota (plus loads of Mk2 Escorts )
We went past the crew vans a few times and there was an incredible amount of spares dotted about! Definitely a sport needing sponsors!

 

[yellowz]

It's so hard to understand the difficulties unless you have taken part

Thanks Rob. That's where the question came. Have not looked at rallying really until there was a Z in there!

 

[Rob Gaskin]

It looks to me like the Datsun 240Z did make the finish.

It finished 91st out of 99 finishers.

It got through all 33 Stages, the last stage was designed as a 'sting in the tail' and it appears to have caught a few people out including the Lancia Stratos. It was 38miles long at the end of 5 days!

 

[MCBladeRun]

It would be nice to be able to follow them on their journey to success - any idea if they have a website or something to keep tabs on? I think it's brilliant these cars are still being raced competitively let alone kept from the tin worm