Hard life as Tony slums it in Monaco
Last updated 05:29, Friday, 23 May 2008
LAST weekend I was slumming it in Monte Carlo for the Monaco GP Historique where I was following the efforts of a former pupil, Duncan Pittaway, whom I taught to drive at the age of 12.
I also took him on two rallies strapped in the back of my rally Avenger and 20 years later said my efforts had “introduced him to a life of penury” but in thanks asked me to compete his Aston Martin DB2 at Prescott Hill Climb!
Passionate about veteran and vintage cars, Duncan has a veritable stable of them and all are very original, including his 1925 Type 35T Bugatti which he drove all the way from Bristol, through France, over the snowy Alps Maritime and won his class as well as being the first un-blown car in the race for pre-1947 Grand Prix cars.
The Bug was raced in the 1920s and Duncan has kept it in totally original condition. 45 minutes before the race, a clutch linkage bolt sheered but thanks to the experience of friend Tim Dutton of Ivan Dutton the Bugatti specialists, it was Jury rigged to clinch the title and for the run back across France to Bristol.
Sadly I did not have the chance to catch up with the Cumbria Lager Louts lead by Paul Gilligan who were there but was pleased to see some of them across the track duly quaffing their share of alcohol!
The next outing this small and select group of ex-rallyists dedicated to classic motorsport will be a trip to the Le Mans Classic to which we will be driving. The two-day RBS International Manx Rally last weekend was one of mixed fortunes for local drivers taking part.
Burton-in-Kendal driver Wayne Sisson and co-driver Daniel Stone finished 17th overall on the 120-mile tarmac event in their Mitsubishi Evo 9.
Sisson had no problems throughout the event to contend with and survived a moment that nearly saw him join Dumfries driver David Bogie, who had gone off on stage 10 and retired.
Bogie and Hawick co-driver Kevin Rae had a tough weekend as they were contesting round three of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship and round three of the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge in their Mitsubishi Evo 9.
On the first loop of five stages on Friday night, the suspension was set up too soft on their car for the tough tarmac Manx lanes, although the last three of the evening got better for the 19-year-old rising star despite a problem with the intercom and they held a credible 13th place and fourth in Group N ahead of the restart on Saturday.
Leg two started better for Bogie as the suspension set-up was altered but the tyres were causing a few problems first thing as the stages dried out from earlier showers and he managed to survive a tap to the back of his car on stage seven. But his event was brought to a disappointing premature end on stage 10 after he had climbed the leader board to 11th overall when he went off on a right corner and caused considerable damage to the car.
It is the second time in succession that Bogie has retired from a round of the championships he is contending but he will not have long to wait to try and get his chances back on track as he will contest the Builth Wells-based Severn Valley National Rally in three weeks, on Saturday, May 30.
