Geoff Glover has flown passed his century and at 105 not out is waiting for the 2021 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship to start – when he will continue his amazing record of events contested in his rear-wheel drive Vauxhall Astra.
This year’s Legend Fires North West Stages would have been Geoff’s 106th Asphalt Championship event in the car.
But as things have turned out, 2020 will instead be the first year that Geoff hasn’t contested a rally at all – not since he began road rallying in an Opel Ascona back in 1982.
“I cannot recall going a full year without competing – even back in 2001 when foot and mouth restricted rallying in the UK, I still managed to compete in three rounds of the Asphalt Championship,” says Geoff.
“2020 would have been my twenty-first Manx National as well, which is one of my favourite events in the calendar.”
But with Covid-19 restrictions bringing rallying in the UK to a halt, Geoff has been using the time to upgrade his Astra RWD – spending many hours self-preparing the car in his garage at home.
“I carry out all of my own maintenance and preparation of the car by myself with no sponsorship or external funding,” adds Geoff.
“Competing in class B11, nowadays often against more powerful cars, we still manage to deliver good results at the end of a season – like first in class and Rear Wheel Drive Challenge winner in 2016 and second in class in 2018 and 2019.
“My car is always immaculately presented. At pre-event scrutineering I am frequently asked for my Cat 2 stage rally paperwork only for the scrutineer to be surprised that I hold a competition car log book issued in 1997.
“With spare time this year I have now gone through the rigorous process and applied for the Cat 2 papers and a new Motorsport UK vehicle passport for 2021.
“I’ve also carried out a few tweaks to the car, manufacturing new parts and spares for the 2021 season.
“More recently I have refurbished and readied for the road my Honda CBR1000F sports motorcycle to give me that adrenalin rush so dearly missed while not rallying!
“I’m looking forward to the refreshed and exciting looking 2021 Asphalt Rally Championship with new events and closed road rallying.”
For the 2021 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, Geoff will continue to be co-driven by Keith Barker from London, while Bob Barker, Alistair Maclean and Charlie Turner will team up as his service crew.
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