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Andrew Coley Q & A 2004 |
| We thought you'd like to know a bit more about Andrew, so we asked him a series of obscure questions! Most relate to rallying, but we threw in the occasional 'real world' question to trip him up! Take a look at the driver profile page for more info. |
| What inspired you to start rallying? Always loved cars, raced radio controlled cars at national level before I could drive. Had a 'kids' driving lesson at Brands Hatch when I was 16, (I'm working there as a rally instructor 10 years on!) then went to a rally school for the day and got the bug big time |
| First rally car? Vauxhall Nova 1600 Grp A. Took 2 years to gather enough money for the car, never looked tidy from the outside but was awesome mechanically, great car |
| First event and result? Abingdon Carnival Stages 1998. It rained and we only had slicks, then retired with overheating brakes |
| Best result? 2nd in ANCRO class A7 championship at first attempt. |
| Worst result? Longcross 98, my 2nd event! Engine was damaged from my 1st rally, but we didn't know till it expired on the start of SS1. Did 3 miles, Mum cried! |
| Favourite Special Stage driven? Resolfen, without doubt. My first experience of a 'proper' gravel stage, 18.5 miles, fog at the top, biggest wake up call ever. Second time through I enjoyed it even more, and we were much faster |
| Favourite event contested? Probably Swansea Bay Rally, due to the use of the Rally GB WRC stages |
| Prefer Gravel or Tarmac? Either if the car feels good |
| Most like to compete on which BRC/WRC event? Manx/New Zealand or Finland. Settle for Rally GB though! |
| Do you have a fitness regime for rallying? Yes; I try to make it enjoyable and not just a gym slog. Mountain biking for CV fitness, Kayaking and surfing for upper body in summer, Gym in winter. Swimming whenever I can; I used to swim for Sussex so I still enjoy a few laps! No alcohol for a week before an event, I think it really makes a difference to my performance |
| Ambition? Drive for a manufacturer |
| Best overall rallying moments? Getting 'the call' from 22 Motorsport, finally getting my hands on an ex-works Impreza in '04, being selected by MSA for 'Fit to be Champion' scheme and of course the championship results in '99 and '01 |
| Worst overall rallying moment? Had a very bad day testing when I was with 22, bad luck and bad judgment. I hit a deer at 100mph (bad luck) then carried on flat out testing (bad judgment) and the power steering had been damaged. Obviously I didn't know and we sailed off into a hedge at 70mph. Learnt a lot about becoming a professional driver that day, and raised my game accordingly |
| Funniest rallying moments? Making Tim (co-driver) sick after he went out the night before an event, served him right! My No.1 Technician Simon showing off by ordering a curry that was dangerously hot, then trying to eat it and look cool. He ate about 3 mouthfuls and was in tears for hours. |
| First event you spectated on? The one and only running of the London International Rally. Malcolm Wilson was 1st car in the woods, I remember guessing how fast I thought he'd come through and being totally blown away by the actual speed he did come through at. Mum hid behind a tree about 50 metres from the road; she doesn't spectate with me and dad so much now! |
| Co-drivers sat with Tim Slattery, Dan Pearce, Chris Coley |
| Favourite Grp.A, Grp.B and WRC cars 1995 Impreza or SEAT Ibiza evo 2, Quattro or 6R4 for noise, 205T16 for results, 04 Impreza or Focus, so refined for rally cars. |
| Favourite rally driver McRae and Makinen; legends with the extra speed when it really counts |
| Favourite sports person outside rallying The big achievers in any sport; people like Steve Redgrave, Lance Armstrong, McEnroe! Alex Zanardi too, inspirational |
| Favourite film Star Wars, watched a thousand times as a kid. And Snatch, Guy Richie movie |
| Favourite holiday destination Canaries at the moment; Sun but with wind and waves, and they love rallying! |
| Favourite food Mexican, Indian, pasta or beans and cheese on toast! |
| Favourite drink Partial to the occasional beer! |
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