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1st in Class on the Paintworx's Agbo Stages for Paul Evans
1st in Class on the Paintworx's Agbo Stages for Paul Evans
The stately home grounds of Weston Park in Staffordshire where the RAC Rally once held a spectator special stage in the 80's was the venue for The Paintworx's Agbo Stages Rally. The Agbo stages is a rally for 2 wheel drive cars only and no 4 wheel drive machines can compete. The field mainly consisted of powerful MK2 Escorts, and front wheel drive cars such as Peugeot 205s and Vauxhall Nova's.
Paul was seeded at car 6 and after chose a cut slick on the front, and an uncut slick on the rear for the first stage. However, the sky turned black, and Accident Advice Solicitors' team mate Damian Cole (car 4) said he had decided to go out on full wets.
Paul followed Damian's advice, and fitted full wet tyres all round ready for the first stage. Without warning, the heavens opened, and a huge downpour forced other drivers to frantically also change their tyres with moments to spare before setting off for stage one.
Stage one was one of the most slippery conditions Paul had ever driven in, even on wet tyres Paul couldn't even get the car moving from the start line. The escort was wheel spinning in the first 3 gears, and on the approach to the first chicane which consisted of 3 huge hay bales, Paul decided to brake early to make sure he got through them safely. Paul commented "The stage felt slow but we gotto the end in one piece".
The next three stages were also covered on wets all round, and even with those fitted the grip was nearly non-existent. In addition, despite adjustments made to the suspension set up, Paul was just happy to complete the stages without losing a chunk of time by misjudging the approach speed into the corners and ending up on the grass. A few drivers dropped out the running by excursions onto the grass and losing up to 30 seconds!
The rain subsided, and Paul had decided to take a small risk and opt for cut slicks on the rear, and the grip improved slightly for stages five and six. Paul started to climb up the leader board, and with last year's winner Roger Moran dropping time following a slip up and ending up on the grass this meant Paul was 6th overall i.e. the position that he was originally seeded in.
By the time it came to stages seven and eight, the rain had stopped, Paul decided to fit slick tyres all round as had most of the top drivers. On the approach to the start of stage seven the rain came again as they were lined up ready for the start. Once cleared of the stage most drivers refitted their wet tyres, but Paul decided to stay as he was on slick tyres.
This decision paid off for Paul as the conditions were damp but not wet, Paul managed to clock the 3rd fastest stage time on the last stage. When asked how the rally was going Paul said:- "During the early stages we had no grip at all, and we were hanging on for dear life, it felt like the car was going to spit us off at anytime. Most drivers had said that they came close to having big accidents onmost of the stages due to the conditions. Playing about with suspensionsettings and tyre choice didn't help. Overall we have some set up items to workon before the next rally but time in the seat for me is the most importantthing, with this being still my only second rally in the car I am getting usedto the power delivery of the engine, but I need to get the car handling more tomy liking."
Paul was extremely happy with his 6th overall and 1st in class. Paul's plan is to run on selected rounds of the REIS National Asphalt Championship to gain experience of the championship rounds and also to enter selected local rallies.
Paul secured a sponsorship deal with Accident Advice Solicitors last year who also currently sponsor MSA Asphalt Champion Damian Cole. Accident Advice solicitors have recognised Paul's talent. Sue Wright from Accident Advice Solicitors basedin Northwich Cheshire quotes: - "Paul is an up and coming rally driverand an ex professional rally instructor, and he is now using his ability toachieve some excellent results. We are pleased to be associated with him".
Paul's current sponsors Driveme, Accident AdviceSolicitors, Jones Motor Company, Strata VehicleSolutions, Paintworx, Lucas Oils, Gem Driver Training, Red 5Motorsport, APM Customs and Millington Engines are committed tosupporting Paul this year on another very busy year of Rallying