Close on the heels of Mark II Motorsport's excellent second place at Oakington on the SM Roofing Stages, the team returned to the venue to compete in Middlesex County Motor Clubs Bomb-Along Stages.

Mark Welch (Team Director/Driver) was sniffing for a win as his previous two outings to this event had netted him two 2nd places. Mark usually has a list of improvements that he likes to make to the Bluecol/Get Zet Go/Springwood Aviation sponsored Cosworth (nicknamed "Yellow Peril"), however, for this particular event there was a major change (not necessarily an improvement) in the form of the co-driver. Mark Sims (team photographer/webmaster) had been promised a co-drive and it was on the Bomb-Along that he was shoehorned into the seat next to Welch. The only other cosmetic improvement was from FUSE, who had kindly done more graphics for the car, in the shape of The Car Enthusiast logo and URL.

The event offered 8 stages at the old airbase. Very challenging high-speed sections combined with shorter technical challenges around the old mess buildings which were covered in slippery crab apples from the trees would make driving 'interesting'.

Tom Lambert in his very quick Darrian T9 was the firm favourite with Mark II Motorsport seeded at the number 2 spot. A brace of Escort Cosworths, two very quick Fiesta Cosworths, a Grp N Mitsubishi Lancer Evo6 and a beautifully prepared Puma Cosworth would keep the Mark II boys very honest.

Saturday saw the team get the car through scrutineering with no problems. At this venue there has been issues with noise, thus restrictions were tight but 'Yellow Peril' with her exhaust 'packed' flew through with no problems. The team set out the van in the service area, bagged a 'pitch' and retired to the hotel for the evening meal, 'a coke' and maps to discuss tactics for the next days event. At this point Simsie 'was fairly cool' in his own words. That was to change!

Sunday saw a bright and sunny, if somewhat windy start, which meant that Lambert in the Darrian would be setting a blistering pace. With the car prepared, time cards and maps at the ready the two Marks sat in the first time control ready to book in. It was then that Sims suddenly realised what he had let himself in for. 'I was so nervous and bloody scared' remarked the 'not so cool' navigator. 'I wasn't even sure if I could keep my breakfast down let alone call the corners. All I knew I had to do was to call the splits for Mark correctly'.

SS1 was an 8.04 mile stage that incorporated a demanding, twisting section through the hanger and barrack area, which was laced with deep kerbs and slippery breaking areas (those crab apples) to catch the teams out, coupled with a high speed dash along the bottom end of the airfield. "Yellow Peril" shot off the line in a cloud of dust into what Sims can only describe as 'the fastest 8 miles of my life'. The boys came into the finish smiling and it wasn't until Barry Guess got the stage times from the organisers (Sims was all fingers and thumbs and thoroughly shaken at that point to calculate stage times) that it became apparent that the Mark II Team had turned the rally on its head by setting the fastest stage time by a full 13 seconds over Lambert.

Asked to comment on each others performance Welch said 'Mark was brilliant, he called every bend, was flowing and was even calling out extra cautions on objects to avoid'. Sims on Welch 'An awesome driver and a fantastic ride, I can't say anything else at the moment!'

Sims collected his thoughts and for the next 3 stages the boys set fastest times and opened up a 28 second lead on Tom Lambert in 2nd place. By this time Mark had got used to Sims's calls and pace note system (which was slightly unorthodox 'away you go' meant get the hammer down as quick as you can'!) and Sims was no longer scared, getting used to time controls, arrival times, assessing the map, marking cautions and generally getting into the role of what a navigator should do. The service crew of Bruce and Martin kept 'Yellow Peril' in tip top shape, Barry Guess supplied advice to Sims on his duties (which was very welcome) and Andrea and Sarah (Welch's and Sims's respective wives) offered support and welcome cups of coffee.

Spirits were high but the whole team were just nervous of the car breaking down as the next 4 stages in the afternoon commenced.

The next two stages 5 and 6 saw Welch and Sims really get into the groove as they were 10 seconds faster that Lambert on SS5 and a further 5 on SS6. The boys were all smiles as they came into service. Bruce summed up the mood of team 'everything is going to plan but I hope the car keeps going.'

SS7 went without a hitch, again fastest time by 11 seconds was recorded by Welch and Sims, which was astonishing as Welch commented that 'I turned it down a bit even though Webmaster (Sims's team nickname) was urging me on to go faster and was really flowing with the notes'

The final stage was taken carefully and the whole team held its breath at the finish to see the two Marks record 2nd fastest stage time and win the event by 56 seconds, with Tom Lambert in second place. It was a jubilant team who applauded 'Yellow Peril' as she was parked in service for the last time. Welch was ecstatic and Sims did get a 'bit emotional'. He just could not believe that on his first ever event they had won.

The team collected their trophies, and Barry Guess summed up 'The boys and whole team did good!'

So, Mark II makes it a 5th place, a 2nd place and a 1st place in three rallies, with some extra bits and tweaks for the Bluecol/Get Zet Go/Springwood Aviation sponsored Cosworth, the team should hopefully consolidate its form.

The next event is planned to be The Lightning Stages at Binbrook (the second Safety Devices round of the year due to Foot & Mouth restrictions). Can the team keep their current form? Watch this space!

Mark II Motorsport would like to thank:
Bluecol Brands, Get Zet Go, Springwood Aviation, RallyGallery, The Car Enthusiast, Courtney Motorsport Images and FUSE.

Special thanks to Lawrence from FUSE for cutting more graphics for the car and to Colin Courtney from Courtney Motorsport Images for taking Mark Sims's place by performing the team photographer duties. Last but not least a huge thank you to Barry Guess, Bruce Taylor and Martin Bradley for preparing and servicing the car, team administration and for providing advice and direction to the novice Mark.