Having taken part in the scumball rally for the previous two years, the overiding feature of our cars that we have taken on the rally was big engined rear wheel drive cars. Plenty of grunt for overtaking and large cabin space, perfect grand tourers and ideal for a transeuropean rally.
Not this year though, me and my navigator Davespice wanted to do something different. "different" in this case was taken to extremes when we completed the work on the VW Scirocco we had aquired. Pictures definitely speak louder than words in this instance, this is what we had come up with.
However, getting it rally ready was a two stage process. The second process was securing sponsorship and stickering up the car.
The results of our efforts, as well as the generosity of the people who sponsored us can be seen here.
With the car ready to go and looking the part, the big day finally arrived me and Davespice loaded up the car with everything we needed for the next four days and set off for the launch party. This has changed every year and this year was held at Arena essex raceway, just off the M25.
Arriving at the launch party was an interesting experience, with the sheer amount of cars that had turned up the most noticable aspect.
As well as that, the chance to do a few laps of the oval was not to be passed up, with ourselves, Team Politezi, The Smurfs and a few others taking a tour as the rest of the field watched.
After the track time, we made our way to the party itself, We reaquainted ourselves with old friends and made some new ones as well.
As well as that, we also see the prize, the award of "Spirit of the Scumball" also comes with this prestigious looking wheel.
All too soon, it was time to head off for our first checkpoint. A rather important one, this was down in Dover for the ferry to the continent, so we headed there at all speed.
As it turns out, it was a bit too much for the car to handle and a distinct smell of fuel was eminating from the car when we arrived.
This, with the help of several scumballers (respect is due, you know who you are), was identified as the problem.
Dont ask me what it is, I dont know, all I know it was connected to the fuel lines, with a line from the pump, a line to the carb and a return to the petrol tank. The principle drawback was a hole caused by corrosion, less than a mm across which was squirting a jet of fuel onto a coolant pipe.
A blur of ratchets and screwdrivers later and the part was off. To get the car on the ferry, we connected the pump and carb hose and blanked off the return. Not ideal, but at least it got us on the right side of the channel. We resolved to find a VW garage once we got our route card. First up was the ferry trip.