Getting an old Peugeot 205 (and its driver) through UK's toughest rally

Key Highlights

• He drives past me in his hopped-up 1984 Peugeot 205 GTi and over the ramp. On the other side, 35 stages and 313 competitive miles await. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPart of the crewOur team is formed of Charlie, co-driver Steve and service crew mates Andy, Stuart, my dad and me.
• It's our job to take all the pressure of maintenance away from the men in the car, who have racing lines and pace notes to worry about.
• Mending things is only half the job, though: we're also morale boosters, coffee makers and chefs. The service crew is split into two teams: one drives the chase car, which follows the rally car from stage to stage, while the other mans the service van and drives it to each service area. It's effectively a mobile garage and is kitted out with spare parts, tools, a fridge and vast stores of brown food. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAll hands on deckEach crew has just 25 minutes to service their car, which normally involves changing tyres, refuelling and attending to any mechanical problems. Ours works like a well-sorted Formula 1 team when our Peugeot comes in for its stops.
• Sure, we don't have the wheels swapped in under two seconds, but everyone knows their job. I leave the mechanical tasks to the others and instead prepare hot drinks and food (lots of coffee and carbs), clean the car and, as the youngest member, do all the literal heavy lifting. Just as we are about to send the car out after service, we pull a wheel stud out of the hub while trying to change the wheels.
• A frantic, quick-fire replacement is performed and they head out for the remaining stages just in time. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSpirit of the RACThe service area is a frenzied, chaotic place that captures the true spirit of a historic rally, as demonstrated by the camaraderie and refusal-to-quit attitude of teams both large and small.