What a fantastic roller coaster ride this weekend at Escort Rally Special 2023.
This event touches the heart of everyone who loves motorsport and especially rear wheel drive Escorts.
An atmosphere you could cut with a knife and stages to turn boys into men.
And that’s what happened this weekend Christopher O Callaghan has always been fast but it was a joy to see him put in such a mature performance with J.J. Cremin by his side. A boy becoming a man in front of our very eyes and I mean that in the best possible way.
The rally itself was a tough test on man and machine.
Super special on Saturday night was a bit of a disaster for us as being car no 1 we started last. Numerous delays meant we started in the dark with severe dust so it was pure survival.
16 overall and 34 seconds off the lead was tough to take but shit happens.
Angry Frank went at it the next morning for the rally proper on a wing and a prayer and we caught everyone napping on the first stage and started to claw back time.
By mid day we found ourselves in the lead and tried to maintain that but Chris and JJ who had lead after the super special had other ideas.
They struggled early on with a misfire but once cured they came at us with all guns blazing.
It was as good a battle as I’ve been in for many a year and one I will remember for a long time. Lauren and I pushed baby blue who was back in top form as hard as we could but inevitably Frank did what Frank does and I over shot a junction, dropped 10 seconds and that was the turning point.
We kept the pressure on but the lads had the measure of us and took the win by 9 seconds.
Hugely deserved victory for the whole O’Callaghan family with Ed and Kaine taking 8th O/A after a puncture and Hazel and Keith taking 10th O/A.
Has to be one for the record books right there.
I must say a huge heartfelt thank you for the support we received all weekend.
Pure happiness is all we could see as people filled the service area all day.
It amazes me that a rally that only allows one make of car can pull this off and deservedly receives such support.
Special thanks to Christophe Jacob and Isabelle Regnier for their hospitality and help.
Footage supplied by:
@Devillersvideo
@FullThrottleVids
@jdrallyvideos3869
@KMRallyvideos
@NCPics
@Olirally
@videodezitter6038
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8 окт 2023
