Puff was entered in the Summer Trial which is a Novice Event, albeit quite testing. Based in the Peak District, the base was in Chesterfield at the Casa Hotel. Suzanne was to be with us again and we met on a dry evening for pre-scrutineering and calibration. The Brantz was now fitted with a sensor on the drive shaft which was hoped to solve any problems.

This time there would be 75 teams competing, amongst them some very good teams including Dan Gresly and Elise Whyte just back from their successful win on the HERO Winter Trial to Monte Carlo.

Based at the Casa Hotel in Chesterfield, owned by car enthusiast Steve Perez who also let the rally rip up the grounds of his house with 8 tests spread out over the 3 days.

DAY 1 – For the 1st time, Puff ran well, with only a couple of “splutters” on some very steep sections. We know what it is, a suspect fuel pump not pumping enough fuel into the big 11/2 inch SU’s! We shall rectify this before the next event next month. But we were badly baulked, just short of a time control and had to reverse 300 yds downhill for a 4×4 and trailer! Time could never, and would never be made up.

DAY 2 – Saw the rally head off into the Peak District, past Chatsworth House where the annual Horse Trials were being staged. Today a long day – starting at 8.20 am and finishing at 6pm – 4 tests and 6 regularities. Lots of concentration. Car ran well, with no serious hold ups this day, but we can never beat the faster cars on the test – we run with 2 wheels on the roof. That is Puff’s provenance – how she ran in 1970.

DAY 3 – A start at 8.30 am with a finish at 3.30 pm in time for prize giving and crews packing up. We finished 2nd in our class – 7 cars and are happy. Missed the Ladies Prize by 5 seconds – that wretch of a 4×4….must say no more!