26/10/2026
So. We thought Mull Rally was tough!
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🏴 Well after the fabulous ☀️ summer we had, it was back to normal for a very exhausting Cambrian Rally. The final round of the 2026 BRC, would see an all or nothing, winner takes all, situation for our Skoda Fabia RS pairing Max McRae and Cameron Fair. The boys have campaigned one of our rental cars this year, and this was the chance to pull of the big one……
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However rewind… The Monday preceding would see myself and the crafter with a 03.00 departure heading south to Phil Price Rally School. Bambos Charalambous and David Higgins would complete two half days at the venue. With an afternoon start, Ben would get a lie in until 05.00 (I'm all heart eh 🙄) and he would follow on with the volvo at speed. Bambos has been gradually learning his Rally2 Fiesta this year, and was really putting the effort into this one. I'd see the Monday afternoon session done, and leave Ben (unhindered) to take care of the Tuesday morning activities.
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Tuesday was pretty full on. The lads were on top of all the cars, but with the sheer volume of equipment to run NINE cars... there really is quite a bit of unorganised chaos happening. Fletcher was pretty much in control of everything and getting the packing sorted.
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Now I'm not sure why it didn’t really click into my head until Monday mid-morning, but suddenly I realised that was 9 cars and only 8 trailer spaces! 🤦🏻 Right, a quick spin through to Dumfries (just round the corner, NOT) and lift the reserve trailer. I can swing by Selkirk on the flip flop and lift Luke Francis' Rally2 Fiesta hire car that’s been @ SD Graphics for a little decoration weekend. So a quick 6.5 hours later and I'm back at base.
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Suddenly it was already Wednesday afternoon, and the clock was ticking. Al was swiftly on his way with RKS 111 and the two car trailer. Tony Simpson and Simon Rogers would be reunited with our 26-spec Rally2 Fiesta hire car that they had used on the Trackrod Rally last month, and they were looking to get a wee run out at Sweetlamb to blow the cobwebs off. New customer Luke Francis, partnered by John Roberts, would join us in a RHD Fiesta Rally2. The boys would also use Sweetlamb for a shakedown and familiarisation exercise.
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For once, we are leaving in tandem! I was on the road also. Obviously everyone testing in the same place is very convenient... WRONG. My destination was North Wales, and the MSL test venue, with the Merc and other two car trailer. New Icelandic friend Fylkir Jónsson had rented a Rally2 Fiesta for the early season Border Counties Rally, but had decided to purchase a MK1 R5 Fiesta and would be co-driven by his daughter Heiða. Also aboard I had our title-elect Skoda RS. 🚀 The positives, I arrived for last orders and a 🍺 with Danny, Hayley & Matt. Al unfortunately had overnight roadworks and would arrive into Newtown well into the night….. 🌙
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Thursday's test completed, the Sweetlamb crews were happy with good miles completed, and the lads were ready and on the way to Llandudno. Max and stand-in Cammy had a full day and piled in the kms. The Skoda was definitely getting the hammer. Done and dusted and happy. Unfortunately on his last run Fylkir's Fiesta called enough and stopped with a fuel issue. With a bit of swapping around, Joli headed onto MSL workshop and carried out some diagnostics. The rest of us loaded up and departed to the sunny Welsh Riviera that is Llandudno.
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With four cars to re-pre after the test we would set up in the Builder Street Coach Park - perfect. We rocked in fairly early on Friday AM and were well on with our jobs. The remaining lads were sharp on the road from HQ, with good departure @ 05.00. Four vans and trailers loaded to the *its… Fletcher had really been cramming it in there! The fifth van and trailer on the other hand, appeared to have departed in the wrong direction... No, hold on, Kian and Fletch were headed for Hull and were holding their breath (as was I !!!) that the container ship they were waiting to meet hadn’t been delayed too much by the preceding storm arrival.
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Danni Sigurðarson's car had contested two Icelandic rallies this summer, and was due to arrive last week. That had slipped, and now we were awaiting the 23.30 Thursday arrival and hopefully customs clearance. Thankfully, all was swinging, our lads collected on Friday morning and were hot footing it across the country to Llandudno. Having just completed two rallies there was still the small case of some re-prep and make ready for the event 😥 …
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Back in Llandudno, the weather had taken a turn for the worst, it was absolutely ridiculous. The rain was lashing and the wind had risen to gale force ! 💨 We had shoehorned into a corner with the tent ratcheted to a fence and trailer. It was brutal…. really, everyone was playing a blinder. It's at times like this when you appreciate all the efforts and determination of everyone around you.
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So it goes on. I'm out road testing Fylkir's car and it lies down on me outside Lidl. 🤦🏻 I bump it up onto the central reservation, and sit inside with the rain hammering and traffic passing both sides and just have a wee quiet moment to my self! 😂 I try a few things and decide there nothing happening. I call Joli and he's on the recovery ASAP. Back to the rain lashed Coach Park, and we do some more magic 😆 (I'd not call it that, but were trying!)
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The logistical challenges of the Cambrian Rally really are second to none… there are several locations dotted over the town. Trailer park, Noise check, Tyres and Fuel, Scrutineering are all scattered. IT’S A DISASTER when you're so many. Along with that, as all is descending into chaos with Fylkir's car, the weather, the diff pump etc suddenly the remaining lads arrive. Not that we're unhappy to see them, but suddenly we need parking and movements for five vans, five trailers and five cars from the trailers. PHEWWW.
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Anyway Joli plays a blinder with Fylkir's old Mk1 Fiesta, I road test, all is good, all the lads do scrutiny, that’s good. Kian and Fletcher have arrived and finished off our Icelandic Skoda and its only a re-map to do for scrutiny. The lads with the trucks and the vans leave for Ruthin, all's so easy. 🤭
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Next issue. We're waiting a diff pump for Luke's Fiesta which is arriving on the ⛴️ from Ireland, but the storms are not being kind to us and arrival of the ship in to Holyhead looks unlikely. The decision is taken that if it doesn’t arrive, we will be stuffed. Ok, so it's 7pm and I'm leaving Llandudno and on the road to Kelso... 🤦♂️ Andy T has just sat down after his tea and the star that he is agrees to pop into HQ, collect a pump, and drive south. We meet at Penrith, and I'm on the return trip before we know it. Eight hours later, I'm back at Llandudno and yes you guessed it... the ship has docked anyway! 😏 But we were covered.
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So just a few hours later, it's 6am breakfast for the boys 🥓 then the diff pump fitted, finally we are all go. What a marathon. 😰 As we stood in the multi story car park before the start, the sky told the picture! A beautiful RED SKY IN THE MORNING. 😊 That warning was absolutely correct. The conditions for the day would be harsh….. RAIN RAIN RAIN 🌧️ And so...
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Bambos and David were right up for the cup. Having put in some big effort and really looking forward to the stages, Bambos was GO. Unfortunately only two miles into the first stage, they slid wide and were beached. DISASTER. An easy pull for the recovery after the stage was closed saw them return to Service and restart for the afternoon loop. We were a little more cautious, but thoroughly enjoyed the run and had some valuable mies. Next time lads.
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Fylkir and Heiða were really looking forward to the event. Perhaps a little nervous, but with few miles covered on the test they were glad to get going. Some intermittent problems with the window misting saw them play it safe. Happy to be round clean and looking forward to the next adventure. A pleasure to work with you.
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Our VIPs Ernie and Patricia made the huge drive from Aberdeenshire. They arrived Friday all relaxed, sort,ed their paperwork and retired to the hotel. Their Historic BMW M3 had undergone some suspension improvements and they were ready. Mid-way through the first loop the intercom cried enough. The roar 🐯 of the german engine was significantly louder than Mrs Lee could muster 🐈⬛ so improvisation saw hand signals deployed 👈🏻👆🏻👇🏻 the pair arrived in mid-day service slightly fraught but content that they had arrived. With the spare intercom installed, they were away in full flight. The Historic machine flying. Ernie commented after that the car felt so good he was verging on “the getting cocky” stage. With this, he was warned that if this route was followed the intercom plug would well and truly be pulled back out! 😹 Be warned, Mr Lee!!! A fantastic day had aside from the wee issue, but over the moon with their pace and 47th position. Now there will be few that travelled as far as this pair this weekend. Out the car @ 18.30 ish, and on the road arriving home @ 03.00 this really is an example that a lot of people could take on board “a positive mind really is a determined mind” - absolute spirit and determination, an example to all.
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Tony and Simon arrived at pre-start, Tony trailing at the end. Luckily he had a costa in his hand, and I hoped this would give him a gee up. With driving glasses fitted, they were off. Al did ask me if they would enable Tony to see round the corners in advance. 😆 A good couple of early stages saw them at refuel and the man himself asking me to re-connect the blower heater! 🙄 After spending the Trackrod torturing the lads about the blower, he was back with the revers instruction. Anyway with that complete, they were on their way and comfortable at mid-day service. Eventually opting for the spot light option (which he would love later) they headed off for the next loop. Some great times over the afternoon and with his lights shining brightly they were home. A great day had by both and top result 17th. Great lads for a bit of slagging
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Brendan Cumiskey and Martin Connelly would use their Rally2 Fiesta. Brendan having done a good lot of rallying, but not so much this year, was really looking forward to the rally. Good sharp times over the early stages saw them sitting well in 5th at mid point. Refreshed and on the way for the afternoon without the lights, Brendan was wishing by the last stage that had carrots for his lunch. However round with no problems and a great 5th position it was then another challenge to beat the storm and make it home. PHEW.
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Luke and John were in for a trying day. With the diff pump fitted in the nick of time to the RLA Fiesta, it was good to see them even start the rally. Early times were very good, running a little down the order as they had literally driven the doors of the car (but that’s a different story). Unfortunately the lights option wasn’t used at Service, and with delays on the last stage it left them in pitch dark and a puncture. I hope the boys enjoyed them selfs and good to see you in 5th position after a long lay off. Good going.
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James Wilson and Paul Mulholland would be coming in dry (the only dry thing in the house) with no pre-test, they were hot to go. Using our Skoda RS rental car they were looking for good Welsh Championship points. Pre-lunch the boys were flying, topping the time sheets and more than happy. New tyres for the afternoon and no mirrors required, was keeping Trevor happy too! Happy to play it smart and consolidate in the tricky conditions the lads sneaked round to a fine 3rd Interclub. That’s the way lads. Unfortunately the ferry didn’t sail out either, so as I write the lads are still drinking B**R, and they get home Monday to dry out. In more ways than one maybe…..
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On our 2nd anniversary 🥰 our Icelandic friends Danni and Pinky with their Skoda RS really hammered out the blocks, but with just a slight slip they lost a little momentum. Some fantastic afternoon stage times (possibly thanks to our fantastic catering) saw them stretch their legs and climb up the leader board to 2nd Interclub. This pair are another partnership that are so positive absolute delight to be with. Safe home to both.
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Finally. Max and Cammy. I'm sure it's all well documented elsewhere as to the ups and down of their championship push. They really gave it their all. Pushing on staying clean and punctureless. One little slip/spin dropped them the time!!! However, if you don’t try, it will never happen. Such tough luck, but great commitment all year, professional lads, Cammy now owns his own tyre gauge! 😉 Hard luck on the day, it will come again. Well done lads.
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On a weekend like this, with horrible weather and long days, it really is great to have a strong team around us. It really is a privilege to work with you all - your dedication and our reliability record really is a testament to you all. 🤩 Fantastic.
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📷 Black Mountain Media
📷 JP Photography
📷 Artgo Photography
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Finally special mention this week to ANDY T (some man for one man). Absolute legend to get up out the chair on Friday night and drive to Penrith. I'd prob think twice if he called me, but some people you can count on and hes one of those lads. Thanks Andy much appreciated.
