Rallye Du Maroc Historique - 18-24 May 14

Success for Frank and Ross In Dramatic Rallye Du Maroc Historique!

Posted: May 25, 2014 7:07 PM

For Frank Cunningham and his co-driving nephew Ross Forde from Galway, the 2014 Rallye Du Maroc Historique was one of trials and tribulations, impending drama and fight-backs. It was a real team effort, where the men wielding the spanners played as big a part in keeping their 250 horse power MK2 Escort in this gruelling 5000 kilometre rally. To finish eighth overall after all the set-backs was just reward for the efforts of the Galway Mini Centre/C-Sport team who completed two gear-box changes, a rear axle change, a complete front right side suspension change and all the routine checks in the searing heat!
“It could have been a lot better, with-out our ten minute delays, but you have to accept the good and the bad in rallying” commented a tired Frank. “As an experience however this event was phenomenal. We were in some of the remote places in the world, and the stages were as good as anywhere we have rallied. It felt a lot tougher than last year, and I think the reason for that was a 10-15% increase in pace.”

On Saturday’s final stages Frank and Ross took third fastest times on each test, as they powered to eighth from an over-night tenth. At the end of Monday’s stage they were back to thirtieth after an off-road excursion when the car wouldn’t select a gear. The team completed a gear-box change only to find the replacement had a glitch so another swift change was made. On Tuesday a fine days attack brought them up to fifteenth, despite drama on the final test when he slid wide and broke a rear wheel. On day four Wednesday an emergency axle change had to be undertaken, but progress was made to eleventh.

Thursday, day five and they climbed to ninth, despite a wheel parting company with the car at the end of the second test! Swift work by the chase crew had a new front suspension into the car in ten minutes. Friday, and they dropped one place to tenth, trying to preserve the car on the very rough sections, before Saturday’s final attack brought them to the finish in Marrakesh in eighth place.
“The team have been amazing” says Frank. “They had a never say die attitude, especially when we had our early time loss, and they performed miracles under pressure. The car they built also stood up to the rigours of this tough rally very well.”

Without the time loss a top three place was on the cards, so is there unfinished business for 2015?
“I’m so tired now, it’s hard to think, but I’d say we could be back alright! I’ve learnt a little bit more about the car now. For example when we changed the axle, the new higher ratio worked so much better for me and we had much less wheel-spin. There were stages were we were faster than winner JF Berenguer and I think we could record a top three place. Next on the cards is the Silver Fern Rally in New Zealand, and we are building a new MK2 before that event.”

Frank and Ross Charge Back Towards Top Ten In Rallye Du Maroc Historique!

Posted: May 22, 2014 11:33 AM

For Frank Cunningham and his co-driving nephew Ross Forde from Galway, are now starting the fifth day of the Rallye Du Maroc Historique and have climbed back to eleventh place, after dropping to thirtieth after day two dramas.

On the first prologue stage on Sunday the Galway Mini Centre/C-Sport team were ideally placed in tenth and on the first proper stage on Monday set a joint fastest time. After the days third test, they were a fine seventh, just 47 seconds off the lead. Then on the final stage Frank fell foul of a tightening corner- slid off on some rocks and dropped five minutes to 30th.
"It was a simple mistake, a tightening corner and when i went to change down to second it wouldn't go in! We were heading sideways into a dyke, so i straightened it up to try to clear it, but we didn't quite clear it. I thought we could drive out, but when i went to hit the starter-nothing. There were big rocks and an awful clatter underneath when i slid wide. The starter was damaged so we had to get out and push start. It wouldn't have been so bad had it not been an up-hill push!” said Frank.

After two gear-box changes, the first on proving to be faulty and another one having to be slotted in, they started day three-Tuesday, and climbed from 30th to 15th overall.
“We had two sixth fastest times and one third fastest on a good long 30 kilometre stage. The car felt really good on that one and I thoroughly enjoyed it, really got into it. We pushed on Tuesday, and boy was it hot work in the Escort!” There was drama however on the last test, as Frank clipped a rock and broke the back wheel. “Trust me to go sideways and clip the only rock in the sand! We picked up a puncture, but there was only 2 kilometres to go so we drove to the finish. It cost us a few seconds but thankfully the axle and car seemed fine.”

Day four Wednesday also presented more challenges for the hard working crew with a back axle bearing becoming noisy, and a swift change of axle was carried out during the day.
"The stages were very rough today, real tough going, the toughest we have ever done, and we had to take it easy on the car in places" commented co-driver Ross. With the altitudes also climbing carburettor jets were changed during the day and it was a day that brought progress up to 11th overall, now just over a minute off the top ten.

Leader of the rally is Jean Francois Berengeur in a MK2 Escort, 57 seconds ahead of Bernard Munster in a Porsche 911. Philippe Gauche- Mazda RX7 is third with Gregoire De Mevius fourth in a Nissan 240RS. Just like in the 80's great variety on the Rallye Du Maroc Historique! Today four tests totalling 71.5kms, finishes in Ifrane, then two more tough days before the finish in Marrakech, where the team hopefully will have completed this 5000 kilometre rally adventure.

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Frank and Ross Embark on Historic Moroccan Rally Adventure!

Posted: May 15, 2014 10:55 AM

For Frank Cunningham and his co-driving nephew Ross Forde from Galway, the Rallye Du Maroc Historique starting on Sunday May 18th and finishing six days later on Saturday 24th, presents a daunting 5000 kilometre challenge, over terrain which includes 10,500 feet trails over the Atlas mountain’s.

Their Ford Escort MK2 RS1800 has been lovingly built by Frank’s nephews Martin and Jonathan Cunningham of C-Sport, and this family team effort is complimented by Frank’s brother Ray of Galway Mini Centre, whose preparation is a vital link.
“I’m very lucky” says Frank who has been based in America for most of his working life “Indeed I’m lucky to have such a team and most of them are my family. It takes a good team on this event, as there are over 500 kilometres of stages, with long link sections, and at over 40 degrees things get hot! It’s a bit like the old days of rallying, as we will have a service van, and two support pick-ups with spares to tend the car, a proper adventure! There’s been a serious amount of hard work and preparation involved. For example John Wilcox has built us a fresh engine, and we have planned to make carburetion jet changes during the event to compensate for the high altitudes. The recce will give us points for where to do these. I have to get this plan right, or I will wreck the engine! At home I have been training hard for five months now, as I simply want to make the most of this magnificent adventure.”

This week Frank is recceing the stages with experienced Welsh co-driver Ryland James, before Ross Forde steps into the very hot-seat for the rally! Ryland along with Ross’s brother Arron will manage the entire crew on this exceptional event. The Dunlop shod Escort starts at number four, after a brilliant debut for the pair in 2013.
“We were really surprised last year to be in with the front runners after the third day, but then I made a mistake! I just went too fast and drifted wide on a tightening right hander, and we got the car beached. Ross had to get out with the jack and lift the car up, and we dropped three minutes but managed to climb back to fourth. It will be a tough event, very dusty, but not as rough as you imagine. Most of the stages are three cars lengths wide, so flowing, they are fabulous. We have rallied on the Finnish stages twice, and are easily as good to drive on! There will be one or two rough sections, where we will need to be careful, but as event it’s magnificently organised thanks to the efforts of former driver Yves Loubet.”

Listed amongst the ninety-eight car entry, and starting at number six are former Peugeot WRC stars Gilles and Herve Panizzi in a Peugeot 504. Belgian rally legends Gregoire De Mevius and Bernard Munster are driving a Nissan 240RS and Porsche 911 respectively, and last year’s winner Christophe Vaison brings his glorious Lancia Rally 037, to what is going to be a dusty duel. Can the Irish team in their beautifully built MK2 Escort succeed against such world class opposition?

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Event Website

Posted: May 15, 2014 10:54 AM

Rallye Du Maroc Historique