Learning basic mechanics

We have found a wonderful mechanics teacher, Dominic, who is helping us learn some basics! Rachel is adjusting the brakes in this picture. Last week we managed to take out the alternator, change the fan belt and also change a wheel bearing. Next it is greasing we are getting pretty good with our grease gun, then changing the oil, air and fuel filters. But there is still a lot more to learn!

We had a Rally Briefing yesterday at Gaydon Heritage Motor Centre and saw some of the other cars, including the 1907 Itala that did the rally in 2007 and is doing it this time. We met lots of the other competitors, had safety talks and met the support teams who are all very keen

We took our car to the west country at the weekend for it's first rally! It took us 6 hours to get down to Monmouth, on A roads, we're not sure that we are really up to motorways yet! Sadly the Daffodil Run did not live up to its name as there were few flowers out due to this stupid weather. The rally itself was great,slightly bad start when we got lost in the car park,then were put as number 1 car as we were the oldest, but we managed to find our way in the end and have a lovely late lunch with the other drivers. We were pretty tired at the end of our 4 1/2 hour journey home, getting up to 63 mph, the fastest we have ever been!! We have our Rally Briefing next sunday, suddenly it all seems to be happening

We had an amazing day at Silverstone yesterday, learning to drive a rally car! I think the Ford Escort-see picture, quite muddy!- might be a bit different to the Plymouth but it didn't have ABS brakes so we learnt to control over and understeering and rather enjoyed the power sliding!! Andy said"You can do a controlled corner or just slide"-silly question!!

Rachel has been driving the car and discovered that the fuel guage is faulty so ran out of fuel-slightly embarrassing!Now comes the time to learn about the mechanics

The car is ready and has been delivered. Sadly, as the roads are so icy, we can't practise our driving in it at the moment!

We had one go in it and it is enormous , we should have just enough space for all our stuffTwo girls on tour

Peking to paris

Just beginning to get my head around the fact that I am driving the peking to paris rally next year. Went to look at the car yesterday and it is nearly ready to bring back from the garage. Took it, 1938 Chrysler Sloper Plymouth for a spin. It has 3 gears and is a bit different to my Audi. Can we do 8500 miles in it, two girls?!