Mewla Rally 2013 (Epynt)

[PaulZ]

Hi All

Went to Epynt yesterday to watch the Mewla rally and what should be there but a FRP rally car I spotted on piston heads a while back.

http://www.projectpuma.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=20040" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A few videos I got (excuse the poor quality taken from my phone)

http://s1260.photobucket.com/user/Paul_Zanettacci/media/MOV_0008_zps444bdd65.mp4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://s1260.photobucket.com/user/Paul_Zanettacci/media/MOV_0007_zps3738a5a2.mp4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://s1260.photobucket.com/user/Paul_Zanettacci/media/MOV_0010_zpsabb18d16.mp4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The driver's name is Neil Harrison and he finished 49th overall and last in class (5 in the class).
Judging from what I saw of him he didn't seem confident in the car, He wasn't as aggressive under braking and cornering (maybe a first rally for him though as I haven't seen him on Epynt this year until now) but credit where its due he certainly looked more lively and attacking as the day went on.
And its good to see a Puma rally car. Pretty rare sight now a days.

Cheers
PaulZ

 

[Andrew Hebron]

Epynt's tough if you're not familiar with it. Blind crests and zero tree lines make it hard to read if you don't know it or aren't 100% confident in your notes.

 

[PaulZ]

I guess your speaking from experience when you say that. Hopefully ill see him next year to see how much is confidence has grown.

Will I be seeing you on Epynt anytime soon?

 

[Andrew Hebron]

Hi Paul - yes, it's awesome to drive, but the short answer is no!

I doubt I'll do it again for a number of reasons:

1. you really need to specialise (full tarmac-spec car, specialist Epynt co-driver etc) to be competitive. When I did it, it was as part of a single make mixed-surface championship where we were fighting amongst ourselves so that didn't really matter

2. I know that I'd keep pushing until I ran out of talent, and then you're gonna have a big 'un as there's no coming back from grass on slicks (and that means no rallying for a while). I did Epynt once and Otterburn once and had a couple of really narrow escapes on each. I was in the start queue behind THIS!

3. Even though I'm probably (a bit) quicker on tarmac relatively speaking, I prefer getting in the woods on gravel

 

[PaulZ]

Ahh that's ashame :-(. Was hoping to see another Puma soon.

Iv seen that crash before. Its pretty horrific.

Have you decided what series you'll be doing yet then?

PaulZ

 

[Andrew Hebron]

I'll be doing the BTRDA Gravel series, but not until I've sorted the handling out on some track days and small tarmac events!

 

[PaulZ]

ooo goody :grin: . I look forward to seeing you at Wyedean and woodpecker rallies then.

 

[Andrew Hebron]

Hope so! :grin:

 

[PaulZ]

will it be next season or are you planning on having a season's "testing" so to speak?

 

[Andrew Hebron]

Not sure yet. "Testing" was supposed to be this year, but working in Edinburgh while living in London hasn't helped. Wyedean might be too soon though

 

[PaulZ]

ok, well I look forward to seeing you out when you do get going.

PaulZ