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With
47 people assembling in Harwich for week 1, for the 17 hr ferry to Esbjerg,
the Challenge psee travelled over 800 miles and 2 ferry journeys, arriving
48hrs later in Rorbacksnas.
Eeverything unloaded in the -20degree conditions, sleeping was on the
agenda. However 3 hrs was all as everyone then went to the Lake garage
to fit the special studded tyres, Hankooks fitted with 0.6mm titanium
studs.
After a mad 2 hrs on the lake, everyone settled to the chalets, which
were piping hot, or into the sauna, or maybe sledging, or if more extreme
towed behind a car with sledge, blades or snowboard!!!
Each day the groups were divided in expertise, plus Kevin Furber brought
21 rallyers on a Ryanair flight, with Hire car for a 48hr flying visit!
So with 68 rallyers on the huge frozen lake, Ladies Champion Barbara
Armstrong,supervised the young guns " Conor, Wozie & Tommi"
passing on valuable tips, meanwhile Past Champions, Paul Tod, Mike Nippers
& Chris Bayliss, with kev & Pat, looked at ice techniques with
the rest.
Fiesta World Debutante Tom Curtis was exploring the potential of his
Modus hire car to the max. Gaining practice for his World debut. Each
day around a 100 miles was completed by each Challenge student, before
returning for some much needed Apres-Ski entertainment. On one of the
mornings most of the party went to try Skidoo-ing, with 1000cc Yamaha
explorers, Plus one evening everyone went Ice Karting, where Andy Chalmers
took the spoils.
With the ferry company calling and announcing that due to bad weather,
the ferry had moved back 24hrs, a resounding cheer went up, as everyone
took advantage of another day in the Winter Wonderland.
Fastmen included, Mike Nippers who was fastest of the 4wds, from Conor
and Chaz, a further 20 seconds back were Tom Walster who just edged
out James Wozencroft for fastest 2wd.
As Pat, Ella, Conor & Loz taylor waved goodbye to the week 1 top
crew, they had a fun 2 days, Skiing and Skidooing before meeting the
Week 2 gand led By Andy Davies, the Rendezvous was at 1.00am about 40
miles from the village at the start of the snowy roads, with some teamwork
instilled all the 24 week 2 guys made it safely to the cabins, albeit
after much pushing and pulling out of ditches.
Another great week of fine weather was had, with the lake Owner Roger,
ploughing new tracks, there was intense competition to improve driving
technique, Organiser Pat Flynn broke his ankle while sledging on the
Monday evening but carried on driving and teaching with his left foot
braking style, soon all had the technique, mastering it would be easier
for some than others.
With week 2 being less experienced, old hand and 1900 star Stefan Davis
was on hand to offer good advice!!
On the skidoo morning , Peter Davies had a dramatic crash with a tree,
passenger Ella Flynn landing around 40 ft away from the Skidoo, unharmed!!!
Dad Andy Davies wallet was not unhgarmed as he paid the £300 excess
for the now written off machine!!!
In the karting Stefan Davis, took the win from brothers, Peter &
Luke in an all Davies top 3.
Fastmen on the ice were, Conor Flynn on top form in the Subaru, with
Jez Rogers & Stefan tying for top, Tom Jones, Pete Davies, Jonah
Nuttgens, also very quick.
The journey back was eased by a pop quiz for all the crews with CB radios,
with a very snowy journey back to Gothenburg, over via Ferry to Fredrikshavn,
where a Radisson hotel had been booked, however the beds were not seen
until many hours later as the crew went to the Baghus bar, then clubbing,
great night, sore heads for the steady journey across Denmark.
Final ferry home, where everyone said, I am coming next year, plus the
big question, What car will I bring next year.
Until February 2007, See you then.
Pat
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Warren Fairburn
& guests entertained all in the 325 Touring
James Wozencroft
gets some tip sfrom Conor Flynn in Tommi Walster's road going Swift
Andy Chalmers having some fun in his 1400
Steve Long - controlled drifting in his immaculate BMW 325i
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