In Matt Beebe's latest exclusive column for Crash.net, the 2007 BRC R2 title winner looks to 2009...
Hi all,
Well not much has happened since we crashed out of the Rally of the Midlands in June this year. This is partly due to budget but also to finding an indoor dry space where I could start to dismantle and think about rebuilding the car.
Once I had finally moved if from off my parents drive - much to the relief of the neighbours - and started to have a good look at it I realised it was in a much worse state than I first thought.
After a couple of weekends and some late evenings after work (yes I work full time as a service technician for the local Abarth and MG dealership) the car is now totally stripped out and we have enlisted one of the local Fire Stations to help with getting the roll cage out.
The very few body panels - two - that could be salvaged have been taken and the fire brigade are now going to use it in a training exercise which will enable me to get the roll cage out in one piece ready to use again.
I was hoping that things could have moved along a bit quicker so that we could have put an entry in for Rally GB as I have done it for the last three years, but time constraints and the budget required for it will enable us to now do a few smaller rallies next year. However I will be at Wales Rally GB as a spectator on as many stages as I can get to.
We now have to decide what to rebuild it as: 1400cc, 1800cc or a 'facelift' MGZR and what if any championships to look at doing or just to do a few one day or single venue stages.
In the meantime I have been doing some evening road rallies just to keep my hand in. So if we do end up doing something next year I will possibly be looking for a co-driver and possibly one with a budget.
Over the winter months I am looking forward to building a new car and putting all my mechanical and technical skills to use.
