Testing Terrain for Trio on Trackrod!

The sun shone as three Swifts swooped into Dalby Forest service park on the first day of October ready to take on the BTRDA Trackrod Rally.

First to take to the stages was British Rallycross Supernational driver Todd Crooks and girlfriend Jordine Wadge making their debut in BTRDA Rally.  Waiting for this day to finally arrive, an anxious Jordine had an even longer wait for her first taste of codriving when reaching stage one there was a thirty minute delay.

There were smiles as the two returned to service after SS3 however, and after a close encounter with a deer that jumped into the stage in front of them in Langdale, the pair realised what a real adventure rallying is.

Finding good pace through SS4 Crooks settled into his stride with the swift until reaching a collection of cars retired on the side of the stage.  Avoiding the cars put him in line with a large deep pot hole which caused damage and explained the parked cars.  Nursing the Swift back into service the crew got to work replacing the severed strut and bent hub just in time for Crooks to continue to SS5, where unfortunately their rally would end when a ball joint let go during a tight chicane.  

Jonathan Hodgson and codriver Gary Baker were next out and due to the delays queuing for stage start, there was concerns of the clutch overheating although they managed to made it though the morning stages until they too found the pothole on SS4 causing them to limp into service with a puncture.  New rubber on, the Yorkshire boys continued incident free to complete their third rally in a row.

Droitwich driver Tom Delaney and codriver Matt Walk were not so lucky.  Having had a steady run though their first stage learning grip levels,  the MSA Student encountered a rock in the middle of the road resulting in a cracked sump which ended play at SS3.

Whilst the Dalby Forest terrain got the better of two of the swifts in this occasion, congratulations to Jonathan and Gary on completing the day.

Well done to Todd and Jordine who worked well together and made a great team.   Hope to see them having more 'quality time' together or rally stages in the future. 

Finally thank you to everyone who came and offered help and support to the new couple on their rally debut and to all the organisers, marshals and everyone who made the event possible. 

The Swifts will be back out in force on Grizdale Stages - 26th November 2016

Crooks set for BTRDA Rally Debut

For Todd Crooks Motorsport is his passion!  Competing in both the British Rallycross Championship and also the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship series, this year Crooks  is keen to sample different forms of motorsport enthused  by the @BTRDA All Rounders championship.

Whilst a regular in the Rallycross paddock, Crooks tried his hand at Sprinting, supporting the MDA when they visited Blyton Race Circuit earlier in the year where he won his class. 

Also conscious of his other passion in life,  girlfriend of six years Jordine Wadge, who herself has grown up in the rallycross paddock attending her first event at only three days old, Crooks suggested a weekend away in Yorkshire....Rallying! 

What better way of spending some quality time together than heading off into the Dalby forest strapped in a rally car together? 

The couple will make their rally debut in a PGM Swift competing in the popular BTRDA Trackrod Rally Yorkshire car #125 this Saturday (1st October).  

If visiting the service park pop by and wish them luck. 

Peter Gwynne:  Having done a coaching day with Todd at the Sweet Lamb Complex, sat beside him, he was smooth and progressed well with good speed.   He certainly has the ability to do well but it will be interesting to see how he gets on this weekend.  It is a a totally different discipline for him and also with it being Jordine's first time on the notes, either way I think it will be a real adventure for them both. 

Todd Crooks:  After winning the BTRDA Super modified Championship last year I was keen to stretch my legs and try something new. The BTRDA all rounders Championship seemed the perfect way to do this, so we could continue with the Rallycross and do a bit of something else as well. With competing in two Championships our weekends are quite busy, so finding something to fit was the first priority.  When I noticed that the Trackrod was on a free weekend I was immediately drawn to it, and this was only enhanced after the practice with Peter at Sweet Lamb. I'm really looking forward to this weekend and seeing  whether Rallying is the thing for us!

Jordine Wadge:   Motorsport has always played quite a big role in my life, right from three days old. Mum and Dad were keen on their Rallycross, but we spent many a weekend at different forms of circuit racing too. 20 years on and Motorsport is still at the top of my hobbies. Not only did Todd and I meet at Rallycross some 6 years ago, but it also plays a part in my part time job too as a first aider. When I was given the opportunity last year to compete in my first Rallycross in memory of my mum it's fair to say I caught the bug.  I've done a sprint this year too, and with the Rally I'll have tried 3 different sports in less than 365 days. I'm really locking forward to seeing how Todd and I get on as a team, and whether I can keep up in the notes! Big thanks to Peter and Sarah for the opportunity, and Richard too for the training!

Next Stop the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire!

The Swifts are out in force for the BTRDA Trackrod Rally Yorkshire.  Fun weekend ahead with these guys:

Swift No: 125

Driver:  Todd Crooks

Codriver:  Jordine Wadge

Swift No: 144

Driver:  Jonathan Hodgson 

Codriver:  Gary Baker

Swift No: 161

Driver:  Tom Delaney

Codriver:  Matthew Walk

Trackrod Motor Club | Brian James Trailers | Yokohama UK | KRU Rally | SVP Motorsport | BTRDA Rally

Crooks Claims Third in Clubmans Rallycross Championship

 

 

Superb drive by Todd Crooks today in the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship at Blyton Park.

First time driving the Swift at got 2nd in class!

Congratulations to Phil Chicken for the win in his #S1600 C2 and the MB Motorsport Team for getting Phil back out on track after a mechanical issue earlier in the day.