Mull Murmur 2 (Click
HERE for Printer Friendly Format)
- published on the island, during the event by Jaggy Bunnet
MULLMURMURSMULLMURMURSMULLMURMURS - Chapter 2
Well, the countdown had started. The 34th Philips Tour of Mull Rally will be
getting underway at 8.00 pm from the capital of world rallying, Tobermory
Scrutineering has just finished and as ever the O'Donnell Twins were amongst
the last although their rally start is under threat. The greasy bit under the
bonnet doesn't want to go out there to-night and get itself thrashed -
understandable really eh?
Another father and son team in trouble are Derek (47) and Gaz Carless. When
Gaz said he fancied doing Mull this year in his Peugeot, his Dad said, "You
can't", so Gaz asked why, and Derek said: "I'm doing it in your
car!"
Somebody else in a borrowed car is Paul Kirtley (10). That sparkling blue
Subaru in which he appeared last year has gone to the Bahamas, bought by Malcolm
Naylor, so Paul is using Malcolm's old car, a Group N spec Impreza. Steve Davies
is running car number 30 and celebrating his 30th Tour and his 50th birthday,
but there was a shock in store when he turned up in the pub during the week to
find Sheila and Val Hastie wearing tee shirts with his picture and the slogan -
'still nifty at fifty!' But he's taking it seriously, he's rebuilt the engine,
gearbox and axle. Alan Gardiner (45) has reappeared after his engine blow up at
Ingliston in April, the MkII's engine has been restored to rude health - ready
for a right spanking tonight.
A change to the entry list, Barry Clark (27) couldn't get the Ford Puma ready
in time, so he's here with the family Nova … Rob Davies (18) has swopped his
EVO5 for a 7 but hasn't driven it yet … Angus Mathieson (38) thinks he might
be in with a shout in the 1600 class with Steven Clark (see earlier MM) having
withdrawn … Dave Thwaites (40) of ProPrep appeared with an absolutely drop
dead gorgeous MkII (more suitable for a display cabinet, not for using on a
rally). Built from scratch in 9 weeks after a customer called up to place an
urgent order with him - for a MkI Ford Capri with a 5.2 litre engine which he
had to build for the editor of EVO magazine for track days (look out for the
next issue to see his work) and only then could he get on with his own car
having sold last year's piece of gorgeousness at Christmas … If you see John
Bennie (74) give him a cheer and give him some money, he's rallying for
'Children in Need' … Pat Johnson (35) is having his first run out in his new
Subaru Impreza after big brother Andrew pranged it on the Trackrod two weeks ago
… It's Chris Tooze's (52) first outing since the Manx when a wheel broke and
the Corsa Maxi spun off damaging front and rear corners. Unfortunately, he still
had the same shade of eyeball searing yellow paint for the respray! … Stuart
McQueen's (12) back for more, but he's older and wiser now. The Subaru was new
to him last year and he didn't have the diffs sorted out. He does now … Mike
Storrar is back with the Toyota engined Ford Anglia. Note the two kitchen
cabinet handles on the bonnet placed there for lifting the panel off the car
(hinges weigh more) but what we can't work out is whether he bought them in
B&Q or Ikea … Tom Hynd (75) reckons he's got his Mull crash in early, wife
(and co-driver) Sue bumped the road car reversing out of the digs this morning -
but then again, that's why she's the co-driver! Oops, sorry Sue, only kidding
… There's a bit of rivalry going on between the Hynds and the Camerons (84)
with Duncan's Peugeot sporting a sticker which proclaims the legend 'the car
behind is a Honda' this of curse being a dig at Tom's car which is a Honda
Civic, but then Tom has 1600cc compared to Duncan's 1300cc … Young Ogg
MacKenzie (66) had a rear wheel drive Mk3 last year but has now got a sensible
MkII but there was a wee panic when the parcels delivery company was slow in
getting his new clutch plate to him this week … It's nice to have money. When
Martin Fox (124) had problems with his own Impreza he just went out and bought
another! But no, it's not excessive financial exuberance, he reckons it's
cheaper to buy and then re-sell than hire it, so it's up for sale again after
the rally … After bending his MkII on Mull last year, and again at Crail,
Murdo Morrison (93) has finally got it finished in time for this year's event
with son Stewart alongside yet again (and just biding his time patiently till he
can push Pop out of the driving seat) … Alan MacKay (78) has a Ford Escort
Cosworth now to replace the Sierra but is worried about the anti-lag system. It
doesn't only frighten sheep and passers-by, it frightens him … Did you see the
Dave Steggles Astra (131), it's got a 'Runrig' (Gaelic folk/rock group) sticker
on the bonnet. I wonder if he plays their music while he's on 'stage' - it'll be
more exciting than his driving, eh? Only kidding, Dave … Rod Brereton is
navigating for Dave Backburn (118) in the Datsun Violent with its 1600cc engine
and not the Renault Clio as in the programme. Simple really, the Clio isn't
ready yet - but then Rod has only been building the bloody thing for 7 years!
However, he made a promise to have it ready for the 35th Philips Tour f Mull
Rally next year. Yeah, right! … Nice one though, Rod ran a charity quiz in the
Mishnish on Wednesday night and raised 200 quid for the RNLI, nice one Rod …
Good luck to Andrew Egger (152) it's the 21 (just!) year old's second ever rally
and 1st Mull … And what about Paul Gunn (146)? Whoever painted that car is
colour blind. It's yellow with different shades of purple and lime green
detailing. The driver's jacket is a different shade of yellow and the seat belts
are yet another shade of yellow. He should be fined for assaulting eyeballs! …
And as for Male Menopause Rallying (140), they're here. The two old duffers
haven't done any recceing. They reckoned they daren't, otherwise they might have
taken one look and gone home. Good job the event starts in the dark!
And finally, spare a thought for Gavin Gray (122). When he couldn't get
accommodation on the island, he sailed his motor boat over from the mainland and
it's berthed in Tobermory Bay at the end of the car park. Monaco? Sunseeker? Not
quite, it's not very big, I saw some tadpoles giving it a right good kicking!
Well, that's yer lot for now - look out for more MullMurmurs around the route
during the rally and check out progress and results on www.2300carclub.org and
tune in to Oban FM on 103.3.
And finally, finally, a plea for common sense and sanity. If you're out
spectating to-night get there early ahead of the Road Closing Order, stay there
till the road is officially open again, and make sure your vehicle is parked
well out of harm's way. And if a Marshal makes a request, please take heed,
Marshals are there for a reason, not just decoration.
Yer auld pal, Jaggy Bunnet, Tobermory, 4.30 pm
