The Kaakkoisralli in Hamina was the only rally that we could even think of so late into the season since it was relatively close to Joensuu. Only 300km or so from Joensuu. We wanted to test the car before the first rallies in 2012 so that we would have even some kind of idea how it handled and if we would have any small technical problems to solve.
After the normal routines in the rally center we headed towards the first stage. The start was a welcome surprise since the organizer had managed to locate it on tarmac. Eliminates nicely the deep struts. For the M3 the first stage wasn't the optimal however. Most of the stage was driven on a small road and the M3 was suffering from lack of grip. We didn't draw any conclusions just based on that stage.
On the second stage we got to drive on a faster road. The crew also managed to get to a "rally feeling". Have to say that an M3 really has to power to go even on a bigger gear. The car just keeps on accelerating even on 5th gear. The downside of a big car is that it doesn't stop or turn like some of the lighter ones. Can't complain though, it's just so fun when you've got enough power under the pedal. The suspension felt too hard on a faster road so that we have to soften in the future. After the second stage it was time to head for the first service. The plan was to change different tires to the rear and see how the traction would change. If it would change at all. In the service our mechanic Teuvo switched the tires and that was pretty much that. The aim is not having to repair the car during the rally. Cars should last for 70km without major repairs. In the end of the service we decided to change one front tyre also. It was leaking air and a minor detail like that would have been fun to notice on the following road section. After the service there was a refuel possibility, but we had enough petrol in the M3's tank for the following two stages. In this rally the aim was not to optimize car weight so that's why the extra petrol. Any opinions about the third stage? What a great stage! 19km long stage on a fast road and easy to look a head so that you didn't have to on your guard all the time guessing where the stage would turn. The stage was just like the ones you were dreaming about before starting rallying at all. I'm sure the crowds like it too since the BMW was all the time sideways in some direction. Some of the people on the outside banks of corners must have gotten " a few" rocks flying at them. At the time control after the stage we complimented the stage to the officials. They said that nobody had complained so far... The fourth stage was also a nice one. Had fun and no complaints.
After the fourth stage to the service again. This time we had to refuel. After all the M3 isn't some diesel with a 3,9L/100km fuel consumption. What it looses on the fuel consumption side it more than compensates on being that much more fun to drive around. For the last stage we decided to adjust our tactics a little bit. This time we wouldn't drive on the safe side. We were going to drive like little old ladies. On the hindsight a good decision since there were some nasty places on the last stage. Last thing we wanted to do on the first rally is to crash the car. According to the stopwatch we lost a decade, but that was to be expected since we were driving through the stages without any risks. A little bit of training and setting up the suspension should equal to a decent gentleman rally driver pace.
Ei kommentteja:
Lähetä kommentti