Turbo Dynamics Stand Draws Big Crowds at Castle Combe Rally Day Turbo Dynamics and Hants Fire & Rescue Rally Team (HFRRT) had a joint presence at Castle Combe s popular Rally Day on 20 th September with an impressive 16x10 metre stand. TD have been sponsors of the rally team since February s Rallye Sunseeker when they stepped in with last minute backing and support for the team in order for them to compete in the championship. Since then, a strong relationship has formed between the two parties, culminating in the Rally Day display stand. Makita (Hampshire Fire & Rescue Extraction Team) were also at the stand, in association with HFRRT, to jointly promote road safety. Thus with lots to see (and Firemen too!), the stand drew in the crowds, attracting people of all ages and appealing to both genders.
Hampshire Fire & Rescue Extraction Team Under the TD gazebo the new HFRRT car was on static display, there was a display cabinet with TD turbochargers, performance accessories and cutaway products, and staff were on hand to answer questions about turbocharging cars and upgrades etc. Their stock on display included an Evo 8 MR turbo, the new 480+ BHP MD555 turbo and a VF34 turbo at a special reduced price for people attending the event. The performance accessories and parts on display were also selected with rally cars in mind including, Blow-Off Valves, Wastegates, Restrictors and Dump Valves. Baseball caps and TD s new Turbos DVDs (aka hot cakes!) were on sale at the stand as well.
HFRRT s driver & retained Firefighter, Mark Daniels explained that his new car, an N9 Subaru Impreza (Japanese import) Sti, was on static display at the event because a bespoke engine is presently being built for it. His previous car, an N6 Subaru Impreza Sti RA, was used for the circuit parade though, driven by Richard Hunt. Daniels said, It s great to be here today. We ve got the new car on static display because we re waiting on the engine and gearbox to be fitted; the engine s being built at the moment and the gearbox is a future project. I m really looking forward to getting it all in and then getting out and using it on the track! Richard Hunt drove the N6 Subaru Impreza Sti RA
The new HFRRT car - N9 Subaru Impreza Sti Daniels with his new Scooby
Daniels previous navigator (2005-6), Mark Withers, who was present at the event, added I m very pleased to see Mark s new car. I d be very happy to sit alongside Mark again in the future, hopefully in the new car, as the relationship worked well in the past. Withers continued to say that good teamwork was important in his profession and that he loved being a navigator. Reciprocating, Daniels said of Withers He is a talented, very experienced, world-class navigator ; leaving us in anticipation of the well-matched duo joining forces again. The paddock was rife with display and club cars
Along with the Turbo Dynamics and HFRRT stand, WRC, Mitsubishi Motors, Time Attack and Wiltshire College all had a presence in the Castle Combe paddock, with around 200 companies/clubs exhibiting. Mikko Hirvonen attended as this year s guest WRC racer, driving the BP Abu Dhabi Ford Focus WRC07. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Motors demonstrated the Lancer World Rally Car, which was driven by 2007 British Rally Champion, Guy Wilks. Also joining in the racing was Aston Martin Rally GT from Dave Appleby Motorsport. Castle Combe was the place to be to for Aston Martins
Rally Day event organisers managed to sell over 10,000 tickets for the Wiltshire-based event this year, with people travelling across the country in heavy fog first thing in the morning to attend and/or race their cars on the circuit. Summer did arrive for the event as well though, with the skies clearing late morning to reveal glorious sunshine and bring highs of 21ºC. So with the sun out and shining, thousands stood around the circuit to watch the racing/circuit parade and walked around the paddock to see the trade stands and car clubs. Everyone from MG Metro 6R4 to Mustang owners wanted a part of the action Yet further attractions of Castle Combe s Rally Day, were guest interviews, with Tony Mason as commentator, a WRC simulator and rally car rides; really bringing home Evo Magazine s comment about the event: For any rally fan, this is Utopia!
Not stopping there, Rally Raid was back for another year and this time featured an awesome Bowler Nemesis. Exhibitors in the Castle Combe paddock Following the day s success, HFRRT have announced that they are looking to have a presence with TD again next year.
More display and club cars