Hi there,

Oh dear, I am interested in rallying, but this 'Rallying Alpines' section only has 2 postings this year, so I guess I'm on my own here.... And I'm not very keen to throw my Alpine around gravel corners at 136 mph.

I'm more into average speed trials and have even made my own tables on the computer, that's how sad I am. Now playing with tripmetres and stopwatches etc.

Come on guys, show my wife I'm not the only one who likes this, and drop me a line ! Anyone installed tripmeters and stopwatches in an Alpine. I was thinking of making my own leather covered navigation dashboard...

Cheers,

(now, where was I, 22.5 miles, devided by 12 minutes 5 seconds, gives a constant speed of 341 mph ??!! uuhh)

I suggest you contact Peter Kleyn (see his posts on rallying) he's a great guy very keen on this subject & I'm sure he would be able to give you some advice

Yes, I would be happy to help.

I wrote a few articles on road rallying. My articles in the Horn no 161, 162, 163, 164 & 165 might help.

Basically the majority of the events are keeping to an average speed (between 20 and 30 mph). This is not too hard if your navigator is good, once lost you must make up time. This part is called Regularities and is principally down to the navigator.

The other part is special tests or autotests. Admittedly this is driving as fast as you can. Each test is about 1-2 minutes long and there are usually 10 tests in an event. The tests are designed such that the faster cars only get a minimal advantage. So about 20 minutes of driving fast on private roads is the max, however of course it is a strain on the car, but after 17 rallies I have experienced relatively few problems with my Alpine.

Fell free to ask any specific questions.

Regards

Peter Kleyn
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Thanks Peter,

I'll have a look at my old Horns.

I'm still looking for an Alpine, so don't have a car yet to put my rally gadgets in, but I'll probably contact you in the future.

Cheers, Mark. (still Alpine-less.....)

Mark,

Yes, please get back to me when you have a car.

I would suggest the series 4 or 5 of the Alpines as they have more power, are a little more robust mechanically and have a larger boot to carry all the tools.

I am the only Alpine competing and as on some events they have team awards, it would be nice to join forces with you.

Keep in touch

Peter Kleyn

Peter,

Any events in the south east this year to give me the incentive to get the cat Mot'd again and join you in a run?

The Baron -
The two main events in the south are the Hughes Rally (Kent) on 31st May 2009 and the Regis (Sussex) on 24th October. There is a rally in Cambridgeshire on 5th September but I cannot make that (20th wedding anniversary).

As for finding an Alpine, they are not easy to find; there are some advertised in The Horn and some on Ebay. There was a full Rally prepared Alpine in the HRCR magasine recently going for £9500 but an ordinary Alpine will do fine.

Good luck -let me know when you are rady to go -happy to help with any advice.

Peter

Actually there is an Alpine on Ebay right now going for £3000. Worth checking out.

The date for the Hughes Rally has been changed to 24th May

Peter