Winter rally completed

[Fille]

Hello, last weekend I participated in the national finnish veteran car association's winter "rallye" in central Finland with the 1,3.
We had some initial problems with a leaking rear axle and the wrong seals being delivered but on the thursday night before the weekend the car was ready.
On friday morning we had an awful -23 degrees and it was quite windy as well. The Marina started first time, but I was using the engine heating element that most cars in Finland have installed. I left it plugged in for the entire work day on Friday and when I left work in the afternoon the snow had melted on the bonnet righ abve the thermostat so it is obviously working!
I set off with my co-drivers - my two uncles - and the 230 km drive in winter conditions was quite uneventful. In winter the spped limit is 80 km/h in Finland on most roads. When the 1,3 is carrying a heavy load 80 km/h is not a suitable speed. 90 is more like it, so I actually overtook 3 cars on the way (not all at the same time) and was overtaken by only one! So 3-1 to the Marina then.

We got to the place of the venue in no time at all and even ahd time for a sauna and a couple of beers in the evening. Not too many though as it was an early start on Saturday. We had startnumber 100 so there was lenty of time to look at the pther cars. Mine was the only Marina. Before that we filled the car up and it was obvious the cold weather and my heavy right foot had caused quite a whirl in the fuel tank. 35 litres on 250 kms, quite a lot for a 1,3! It needed some oil in the engine too.

The rally took us on some stunning winter roads around Saarijärvi and there was even a track plowed up on the ice. The Marina is a nice car to drive sideways. The rally was some 80 kms in total. We did not get any prizes, but there was time for more sauna and beer and dinner of course.

On the drive home on Sunday the weather was warmer, only -10 degrees, but the wind was heavier and it started snowing too. First, i picked up a set of old TC rims (for free) at a farm close to Saarijärvi, then we drove 100 km and stopped to have a look at a 1978 Princess automatic that was for sale. It was in too bad condition though. We even encountered a blizzard on the way home so again a few cars had to be overtaken by the Marina.

Now she's back in the garage cuddling with the TC and my Rover 75, but there is a fair chance I will take her out again before spring.

Here is a link to the Swedish magazine Classic Motor and their article on the event (there is a picture of my marina if you scroll down..) http://www.classicmotor.se/hortochhant/ ... 542084.ece
I have a lot of pictures from the rally on my facebook page but I don't know to make them public for all to see? Feel free to friend request me if you're interested.
Filip Stén

[MARINAMAN480]

sounds like a great weekend in the snow,
never rallied in the snow but it is always fun gettint the marina sideways .

[Clan Chieftain]

And we get blokes that wont go to a car show if its raining.....Seems like you had great fun. 8) 8) 8)

[gary]

Well done Filip ,sounds like you had some good fun and good on you for giving the marina a good run out.
Gary