2011... What a year!

Danny@APT · Post by **Danny@APT** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 9:52 pm

2011 was looking like being a quiet year, following the recession and a slow end to 2010. How little did we know the many highs would eclipse the few lows.

February- and it was off to sunny..... no wait.... wet and windy Blackpool to support Tony and Emma Hewitt in their trusty Evo V for the Legend Fires Northwest Rally along the promenade and local areas.

3rd in class and 6th overall was a great result against some proper WRC-spec cars and after smashing a wheel the first night and the transfer box the second day which left them with 3 wheel drive for most of the rally.

March- RAF Marham... and it was time for 30-130!

After some shaky moments when Ross' car lost half a fibreglass door...

Some swift action with the gaffer tape later-

... and Ross claimed the title for the third year running, slower than his previous best (and record of 5.84s) due to some gear selection issues, but still enough to win.

April- and the first proper BigPower meet at APT for some early morning F1 on TV and some dyno runs.

August- off to York for Ten of the Best 11 to support the MLR.

Again, Ross' car was our main focus for the drag section, although Gary was keen to have a play with his now all the issues and niggles were sorted. The handling circuit was rediculously tight and really hampered Gary with the T04z's lag, but he still managed decent times. Ross fine tuned his launches and gearshifts all day and did enough to get into the shootout, where only a slow reaction time meant he missed out on being in the final.

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The other big event in August was, of course, the Richard Burns Memorial Rally at RAF Marham. Along with being on site all weekend to support Tony and Emma again, we were proud to be a part of the inaugral BigPower Marham Autotest. While it got off to a slow and shaky start, eventually the BigPower team were able to get underway and much fun was had by all, including some of the rally boys in the lunch period.

It certainly drew some crowds and will no doubt be even greater in 2012.

November- Time for some "chareedy" work, with the return of the RMHC Charity Race Experience day at Snetterton, where along with several other BP members donating their time to providing passenger rides for the public, Gary and Logan were on track.

The day went well, despite the slightly chaotic number of cars packed into the Snetterton pit area, and a great time was had by all and the

Danny@APT · Post by **Danny@APT** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 9:56 pm

Last, but by no means least- The MLR Sprint Series.

It's been a fantastic time supporting several customers throughout, but a special mention has to go to Logan and the transformation his VII went though in the pursuit of winning his class, to the point where his success nearly allowed him to claim the overall title outright. It was so much fun, it even meant Mr Hayward got the bug and the APT Evo ventured out for the last two rounds!

Logan started with this-

Modifications begun-

First round at Silverstone, first time out on track and we struggled to get the car handling to the point where Logan could drive to his best. More fine tuning was needed, but he did well-

Second round at Castle Combe, with a long drive down, Gary decided to skip the Royal wedding and hit the quiet roads early, so much so we ended up propping the bar for some time until Logan and Ross arrived. Combe is a fast but very tight circuit with next to no run-off, so it was always going to be a struggle for the non-locals to do well.

Round three at Lydden Hill, probably one of the most memorable for many reasons. Gary will remember it for what happens when you mix a dodgy prawn cocktail starter and Strongbow the night before, but everyone else will remember it (literally)for the rollercoaster ride of the circuit and local weather. We also got to meet Papa Black!

The circuit would be constantly switching from dry and bright, to dark and soaking wet, so it was a complete lottery as to what you would have by the time your run came around. Logan had been doing well, but his times had been beaten and he was tumbling down the board. As he lined up for his run, on rally slicks, the heavens opened once again. Driving virtually blind in the downpour, Logan was unable to beat his previous best, and with only a couple of runs left and the track streaming with water, it looked unlikely he ever could.

But, once again it dried out, and Logan was out again and was able to post a blistering time a second faster than the nearest rival which surprised everyone and the congratulations were quickly flooding in. But it wasn't over, the Evo II in 2nd and Logan had one more chance- both were in the queue together, so Logan had no way of knowing if he had to push again or just have fun. There was just enough time before he left for me and his Dad to relay the news that his time was safe before he launched off the line and we could relax. Such a fantastic day and brilliant result to have the FTD for the event.

Round Five was at Oulton Park, and was the only event that Logan did alone due to APT being tied-up at Marham for the Richard Burns rally. He did well, coming first in class again and having plenty of fun on the low-grip surface with the other drivers.

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Round six was the home round- the Snetterton 100 circuit, and Gary's first foray into sprinting "just for a laugh, no serious competing"... a line on par with "I'm keeping the Evo standard".

But first of all, some further mods for Logan's VII! Revised gearbox ratios, a bit more power, and a long overdue APT/Pace dry sump for added engine protection. It also meant a fresh livery-

And finally the final round, back up North to York for the Teesside night sprint.

The Class and Series championships had come down to the wire, with Logan tied on points with his nearest rival, and another APT customer, Barry in his VI. It was closely fought all evening, with Barry having the upper hand for most of it until a transmission failure meant he could go no further. Two runs later, Logan gave it his all and made FTD once again to take the Class win and missing out on the Overall Series win by only 20 points.

I can honestly say this year has been the most fun I've had in ages, and you can't help but get drawn into the pub banter and laughter each round throws at you. There's no doubt I'll have a go at some point (ex-APT Chris has already found himself an Evo with the intention of doing a few rounds), although what I'll be in, I can't be sure.

Thanks to Gary, to Ross, Logan, and every APT customer involved for making it worthwhile.

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 10:26 pm

Brilliant post Dan

Thanks for your continued effort with these throughout the year

Well done to APT as a business and race team, but also to Mr Hayward, a long standing mate of mine. Onwards and upwards guys

Danny@APT · Post by **Danny@APT** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:11 pm

Thanks, Stu. The progress on the old Ford is slow, so I needed to find something to contribute to the forum, haha!

We're already gearing up for MLRSS 2012, the APT Evo is shedding every last gram it can, Ross' X is now running a forged engine so the boundaries can be pushed further and Tony's rally car is to be born again in a fresh VIII shell. Who knows... the Ford may even find a tax disc in the screen for the summer.

And of course we'll be supporting BP in any way we can.

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:17 pm

Fantastic review,top job guys:thumbs:

Tonynos · Post by **Tonynos** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:25 pm

Great write up Danny.

Well done APT for all the successes this year and long my it continue.

Post by **Ben** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:38 am

Awesome write up chap

Mr Fletcher · Post by **Mr Fletcher** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:43 am

Top effort guy's well done

gary@apt · Post by **gary@apt** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 10:19 am

Stuart wrote:Brilliant post Dan Thanks for your continued effort with these throughout the year

Well done to APT as a business and race team, but also to Mr Hayward, a long standing mate of mine. Onwards and upwards guys

thanks mate,comments like that make it all worthwhile

blacky · Post by **blacky** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:17 pm

Excellent write up and review!

I've had such a good time this year, its certainly been a journey and I feel very proud to have been part of "Team APT". Its been an excellent experience and I'm looking forward to 2012!

To have Gary's and Dan's support and expertise at each event and the upgrades in between each round has been invaluble and allowed me to concentrate on driving and trying to do well to pay back APT, RossSports and Motuls support.