TeamWoodSpeed Racing - News-Articles

Super Rally relief for Gibbs and Young at Manby

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:12:56 +0000

Even getting to the start of the first stage of the rally, at Manby Motorplex near Louth, looked unlikely when wheel and tyre trouble caused delays, as Graham explains:

"Some of the wheels we got supplied with the car don't fit very well, and that coupled to a puncture on a brand new tarmac slick tyre caused us to go over the time limit for starting our first stage. Very frustrating!"

Despite this, Graham and Rob, assisted by team mechanic Tom Hutchings managed to get out for one stage in the morning. However, due to going OTL (over time limit) in service, the pair were forced to withdraw from the main results and rejoin the afternoon stages under Super Rally rules.

With limited time to prepare the Mi16 powered Peugeot 205 GTI prior to the rally, the pair were pleased with a finish. As the conditions improved throughout the day Graham, who hasn't competed in a rally car for over 20 years built up his confidence and by the end of the final stage the pair appeared to be getting to grips with the powerful little Peugeot.

With a brand new Quaife gearbox and a few development issues to resolve, the 205 is very much a work in progress, and Manby was a batism of fire for London-based product designer Rob. Swapping his i-Mac for a race suit he took on the role of co-driver for stepfather Graham to complete the two car entry for Teamwoodspeed.

Paul Woodford, who had been watching the action from the service area following his own retirement from the event earlier in the day said:

"Rob has had a lot to take in, and despite a few problems with the car this morning he's kept his head down and got the job done. It's been great to at least have one of our cars finish today and it's a shame we couldn't have still been in the running later in the day to see how our stage times compared. They've both enjoyed themselves today and that's the main thing - we're all looking forward to getting out again!"

The team would like to thank AB Motorsport and Cottingham MOT Centre for their support building up to the event. With plans under way for the repaired Citroen Saxo of Paul Woodford to be entered into an event at Cadwell Park in late March, we'll bring you news of the next event for Graham in the 205 GTI when we get it.

For full results from the Bill Cammack Trophy Rally see www.billcammackrally.co.uk and for photos from the event visit Teamwoodspeed's photography sponsor www.rallyaround.co.uk .

Second stage disappointment for Woodford Citroen Pair

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:19:30 +0000

Paul Woodford, co-driven by brother Mike arrived at Manby, near Louth for the Bill Cammack Trophy Rally with high hopes of a strong finish. The aim of the event was to give the car a good shakedown in competition and work on the set up for future rallies this year.

The first stage was difficult, with sheet ice making conditions treacherous. Despite this, Paul brought the Saxo into service unscathed, and the first rally of the 2010 season looked to be off to a promising start. However, disaster struck on SS2 when the car lost water, and returned to the service area followed by its very own smoke trail. Despite team mechanic Tom Hutchings' best efforts to get the car back out for the next stage, a suspected headgasket failure means it's back to the drawing board ready for the next event.

Paul, who is a TV Presenter for Motors TV remains positive despite the set back:

"As I said this time last year when the Ka blew up on the first stage at the Jack Neal Memorial Rally, I find it hard not to take some positives away from a situation like this. We have a great team and the headgasket is just one of those things that can happen - I'm confident that once we get it fixed and back out, we'll have some good rallies. It felt very quick, and although two stages isn't enough mileage to get to grips with the set up, I'm pleased with all the work we've done over the winter and we had some very positive comments from other teams and spectators."

To make matters worse, the team's new photography sponsor, Rallyaround.co.uk had an equally frustrating morning and only arrived at the rally in time to see the Saxo leaving on its trailer. This means that the car isn't sporting Rallyaround decals as planned in the photos, but that will be sorted in time for the next event. Despite this, DP Photoraphic were on hand to capture the action, and provided the excellent photos for this report.

The hard work begins again this weekend when the 16v 1600 engine goes under the knife. With plans at the moment to contest a sprint race event at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire on March 20th, Paul and the team will have to work hard to get the car ready in time.

Paul and Mike would like to thank the whole team, Mablethorpe and District Motor Club and also Proflex who went beyond the call of duty to assist with preparations and and setup advice prior to the rally. Teamwoodspeed would also like to congratulate Graham Gibbs and Rob Young on their first finish in the Peugeot 205. See HERE for details of how the pair got on.

For final results from the rally check out www.billcammackrally.co.uk and for photos see www.rallyaround.co.uk .

Teamwoodspeed joins forces with top snappers Rallyaround for 2010

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:17:18 +0000

You may remember some iconic photographs emerging in 2009 of the team's Ford Ka in action on the stages across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire courtesy of father and son motorsport photography outfit Rallyaround.co.uk. The firm, headed up by MSA acredited photographer Phil Andrews have agreed to support the team with photos for the coming year.

As Paul explains, it's an exciting prospect for Teamwoodspeed:

"Phil and Marcus take some of the most exciting motorsport photographs on the scene, and certainly the ones of us from rallies last year captured the passion and dynamics of the events perfectly. We are going to be running with rallyaround.co.uk on the car to promote the firm in return for photographs of our car from events.

There are a lot of good motorsport photographers out there, some of which you will find in the links part of the website, but for the events we'll be doing and the quality of the photography this just makes perfect sense to us, and cuts out a cost of competing on these events"

Having good photographs of motorsport is not just good for stroking the ego of hotshot WRC wannabe drivers though, it can be an important marketing tool for securing sponsors and presenting a team's image.

If you have got to this part of the story without checking out www.rallyaround.co.uk then shame on you - find yourself a dark corner and a couple of hours and have a browse.

It looks set to be a busy year for Phil and Marcus, being appointed as the official photographers for the Open Rallycross Championship and the Northern Historic Rally Championship. If you're out on the stages, you're sure to bump into one of them!

Teamwoodspeed crews prepare to do battle at Manby

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:18:50 +0000

Manby Motorplex, in Louth, Lincolnshire will set the scene on Saturday for a return to the stages in a new car for the Woodford brothers. Meanwhile, it's been a bit longer out of the fast seat for Graham, who last competed over 20 years ago in a Mk1 Escort. Graham is joined in the co-driver's seat by his step son Rob Young who will make his competitive debut with the team.

8 stages face the crews, and with heavy rain and even snow predicted, it looks set to be an interesting start to the season for both French cars. As Paul explains:

"We're hoping it wont snow because we don't have studded tyres, which is what you need for any kind of grip in snow and ice. Neither car has been driven in competition by us before so we need a straightforward day in terms of weather to give the machines a decent shakedown and to take something away from the rally."

Preparations over the winter have seen both cars rebuilt to differing degrees, and with some road mileage under the team's belt it now leaves only a competitive debut to give Paul and Graham the chance to see how the cars perform under pressure.

Manby was the venue for the team's last competitive outing, which was in 2009 when Paul was co-driven by Tom Hutchings in the Ford Ka. Tom will once again join the team, but will resume his duties in the service area. Tom, who works as a professional mechanic has been a dominant force in the preparation of the Saxo prior to this season.

Paul and Mike in the Saxo will be competing in class 2 for cars of engine capacity 1401cc - 1600cc with Graham and Rob taking to the ranks of class 3 for 1601cc - 2000cc engined cars. We'll bring you the latest news from the service area as we get it.

If you want to come along to spectate on the rally, visit the rally's website at www.billcammackrally.co.uk for directions to the venue. We'd love to see you there!

Your chance to hit the stages - Joe needs a co-driver!

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:13:38 +0000

Joe's results speak for themselves, with consistent top 3 results all year and two class wins in 2009.

Joe is looking for an enthusiastic partner to call the notes in 2010, who is prepared to cover their own expenses and contribute half the event entry fees.

If you think you've got what it takes to compete with a potential rally champion this year, then get in touch now! Your location and experience is not important, and advice on getting started will be given by Joe and the team.