Bottom Gear Rally Report

[JonMad]

Simon, fantastic write up, you need to take more credit. For every one where I’d memorised the route there was one where you stopped me going wrong.

[Jobbo]

How random!

You're also not allowed to wear a helmet, and there's no rule about covering your arms or legs (unlike all the track days I've been on, where timing is banned and they're expressly non-competitive). It's refreshing

[Jobbo]

Simon, fantastic write up, you need to take more credit. For every one where I’d memorised the route there was one where you stopped me going wrong.

I overheard someone saying the co-drivers do all the work. I disagree completely Maybe Steve and Gav have a more balanced view since they both did both roles?

[Gavster]

Co-driving is harder work than driving for sure. Having to follow the route on a map, whilst simultaneously following the course out of the windscreen is more challenging than driving. I’d say both Steve and I both found driving the easier part.

[Jimmy Choo]

Good write up.

[IanF]

Sounds like a fun day out! The cars need OV9 stickers, but then Jon would have to clean his car!

[Gavster]

Can’t wait to get the full set of photos… here’s one from the contact sheet of me trying my hardest to take out the side skirts


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[Jobbo]

That’s an excellent photo. Your car did appear to roll more than the Fabia.

[Sundayjumper]

Can’t wait to get the full set of photos… here’s one from the contact sheet of me trying my hardest to take out the side skirts


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Similar here. I think I need stiffer springs ! It's quite surprising we didn't lose the bumper.

The 2023 Kemble Targa 27.jpg (86.09 KiB) Viewed 246 times

The 2023 Kemble Targa 12.jpg (122.82 KiB) Viewed 243 times

[Sundayjumper]

The 2023 Kemble Targa 8.jpg (115.21 KiB) Viewed 243 times

[mik]

Similar here. I think I need stiffer springs !

Nice pics

I expect @integrale_evo has around 23 sets?

[JonMad]

[Jobbo]

Those are good photos. Ours haven't arrived yet despite me returning the order form and paying straight away.

They do make it look like Steve is substantially heavier than Gav, though.

[Sundayjumper]

They do make it look like Steve is substantially heavier than Gav, though.

Which is true, tbf. When swapping back & forth I always had to adjust the harness straps quite a lot

[Gavster]

Can’t wait to get the full set of photos… here’s one from the contact sheet of me trying my hardest to take out the side skirts


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Similar here. I think I need stiffer springs ! It's quite surprising we didn't lose the bumper.


The 2023 Kemble Targa 27.jpg

The 2023 Kemble Targa 12.jpg

Great pics!

The handling felt absolutely fine when I was driving, however that's a judgement based on my years of driving road cars rather than a RACE car. The pictures definitely suggest a need for stiffer springs!

[Sundayjumper]

So my shopping list is now...

Roll cage
Clutch
Suspension
Skid plates
And some chunkier tyres would help with the ground clearance


It'd be pretty easy to go and drop £5k on upgrades right now.... and this is meant to be cheap entry-level motorsport.

[Rich B]

You said cheap and motorsport in the same sentence?!!!

This does all look a lot of fun!

[Gavster]

It seems to start cheap, after all, you could buy a £1k car, then turn up and drive at an event. Whether the car gets home in one piece is another matter entirely

[JonMad]

It seems to start cheap, after all, you could buy a £1k car, then turn up and drive at an event. Whether the car gets home in one piece is another matter entirely

I took the risk for this one (technically my car was £1900, not £1k, but close enough). Don't think I'd want to do it for one of the longer or multi-venue events. Handily I know a willing co-driver with a trailer

[Sundayjumper]

It seems to start cheap, after all, you could buy a £1k car, then turn up and drive at an event. Whether the car gets home in one piece is another matter entirely

To be fair - although a few cars retired, I didn't see anything catastrophic, a few punctures and I think someone had a clutch give up ?

It's always on my mind with @JonMad's car though, it's quite brave (and uncomfortable too) driving a RACE CAR an hour & a half each way to an event.