Thirty Dulux Trade guests had the thrill of a lifetime this week as they took part in a rally themed experience day at Somerley Park near Bournemouth.
The activities not only gave the Dulux Trade staff and customers the chance to drive a rally simulator, but also drive a rally car, experience a high speed passenger ride through a three mile forest stage and try their hand at map reading.
The 7000 acre Somerley estate which hosts the spectator stage on the opening round of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship, Rallye Sunseeker, was ideally suited to the rally themed day.
Current British Teams Championship leader, Autosport Technology provided its winning Renault Twingos, in which former manufacturer works drivers Ryan Champion and Justin Dale thrilled the guests with a high speed run of the Somerley special stage. Reaching speeds in excess of 100mph between the narrow tree-lined tracks, Dulux Trade guests climbed out of the passenger seat at the end of the run, truly flabbergasted; one of the passengers remarking that it had been this was the best experience of his life.
The Armed Forces Rally team piloted their distinctive white rally Land Rovers for “co-drivers”, who were tasked with map reading around a wooded off-road course and seeking out hidden code boards. It was an unusual challenge, as many of the guests were used to satellite navigation, but the vital rallying skill was very well received and only one crew strayed off route, having to be rescued from the mud.
The rally school proved extremely popular, providing guests with the chance to get behind the wheel of a rally car and drive it around a specially designed course, giving them a chance to learn car control skills and how to carry out a handbrake turns. Current championship talents Callum Black and Adam Gould provided instruction and guidance, everyone showing prodigious ability at the wheel of the brace of Peugeots.
Finally the Pirelli rally simulator took pride of place alongside Old Somerley, the base of operations for the day’s activities and the stopwatch was out again. The times from the Subaru Impreza were added to those from the rally school to give an outright winner from the driving competition.
Dulux Trade National Account Manager Paul Edworthy was crowned champion driver and Dulux Decorator Centre Manager Peter O’Connor the champion co-driver, but none of the guests left empty handed as each was presented an engraved glass memento to remind them of their day.
Covers Timber & Builders Merchants Assistant Branch Manager, Ross Rablin summed up by saying, “What can I say, WOW, this has got to be one of the best days I have ever had, we have had an amazing time.”
For more information on the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship visit www.rallybrc.co.uk.
