Kames Rally Time Trial Report

22nd September 2012

The final Time Trial Rally of 2012 was held at Kames Motorsport Complex in Ayrshire on Sunday 16th September. The Hamilton Optimum Training Kadett driven by Bill Hamilton and Navigated by Sara Hamilton was competing in Class 3, cars up to 2000cc. This Rally consisted of 16 short twisty tarmac stages incorporating splits and handbrake turns all held within the Motorsport Complex. The competitors were met by a rain drenched track for the first few stages this was very entertaining for the spectators but caused more than a few heart stopping moments for the competitors.

Bill and Sara were wary of the conditions but managed to set fastest time on stage 2. With the weather deteriorating further, the Opel Kadett was unable to get the power down on the very slippery tarmac, falling back to 4th overall by stage 6. On stage 7 a new propshaft which had just been recently fitted to the Kadett failed, resulting with the pair losing 6secs to the leaders.
Bill managed to fit a standard propshaft in service time but from then on they were playing catch up to a very competitive field.

The final 8 stages were bitterly cold and wet, the Hamilton's unable to challenge the leaders but managed to set fastest times on stages 15 and 16, this moved them up to 3rd overall and gave them 1st in class 3. The event was won by Blair and Alex McCulloch in a Vauxhall Nova. In the Rally Time Championship, Bill and Sara finished 2nd overall to Blair and Alex McCulloch in both the driver and navigator standings with Sara however winning the Ladies Award.

Photo from David Hatrick