PRESS RELEASE: 10th November 2011

Beebe finishes season on high note

A fantastic class victory in testing conditions topped off a brilliant season for Nuneaton rally star Matt Beebe.

The 2011 BTRDA N3 Champion was the first E4 car home at the Tempest Rally in Aldershot on Saturday, and claimed fourth place overall with an impressive drive.

The result cemented Beebe’s fourth place finish in the Swisher MSA English Championship, and was his eleventh finish from eleven rallies this season.

“It’s good to finish with a performance like this,” said Beebe. “It’s been a really pleasing season and we’ve achieved our aim of getting to the end of every rally, amassing 10 class wins.”

“We’ve prepared the car well and I’ve been happy with the way I’ve driven – it’s all come together this year.”

“To win the BTRDA N3 Championship and to perform like we did against more powerful cars in the English Championship has been fantastic.”

Beebe started last weekend’s event knowing he was unlikely to break into the top three in the English Championship, but still put in an assured display.

Despite slippery stages, Beebe was relatively untroubled and steered his car safely round in a quick time – finishing as the fastest 1.8-litre car.

Beebe continued: “We had no problems along the way, although we did break a wing mirror on one stage, which shows how tight we were taking the corners.”

“I was really happy with how I drove and was particularly pleased with stage four Ash, where there were a lot of fast jumps to go over, although we were the 2nd quickest car over the 2 Longmore Stages.”

The ambitious driver is already looking ahead to the 2012 season, and is at present building a new car for an assault in a different class – maybe even to compete on the continent.

“We’re yet to decide what we’re going to do next year,” added Beebe. “We’ve got the shell of the new car and we’ll work on it once we’ve looked at the entries and decided what we’re aiming for.”

“We’re just looking for a new challenge; it might be on tarmac or perhaps in Belgium, because there are some good rallies out there.

“Whatever we choose we’ve got quite a bit of work to do, but I’m looking forward to it.”

After a great campaign, Beebe would like to thank everybody who has helped him along the way. He said: “A big thank you must go to Quadro Services, Car User, Plantool Hire Centre, CMC Motorsport, PIAA and Robert Knight, my parents and my three co-drivers, Rich Mills, Paula Swinscoe (Rallytech) and Martin Dee – it’s been a real team effort.”

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: 10 October 2011

Wins keep rolling in for Beebe

Rally ace Matt Beebe claimed his seventh N3 class success in eight events this season with victory at the Cambrian Rally last weekend. Some of the stages that Matt was competing on will be used on Wales Rally GB this year including The Great Orme and Clocaenog.

The BTRDA champion put an intermittent engine problem and punctured tyre to one side to triumph in his class and finish 25th out of more than 150 cars.

“We thought luck was going against us with the problems,” explained Beebe. “But we managed to get through it and finished one minute and 41 seconds ahead of the next car in our class.”

“The engine kept losing power at different times – we couldn’t work out why and there was no pattern to it. We didn’t lose much time, but it was in the back of my mind that it could cut out at any moment.”

“I picked up a puncture on the second to last Penmachno stage too, although we got to the end and replaced it then. Overall I was happy with the performance, despite the problems.”

Beebe’s class victory reaffirmed his dominance in the BTRDA Class N3 championship this season, having won it after victory in the previous round. The result also pushed him further up the final standings in the Silver Star championships, which is for two-wheel-drive cars.

Beebe added: “It was one of the best performances I’ve had in the Silver Star and it caps a brilliant season in the competition.”

“I’ve finished in the top five of the overall Championship which is a great achievement when you consider I’m up against more powerful cars.”

Attentions now turn to Beebe’s last outing of the year, the final round of the Swisher MSA English Championship at the Tempest Rally.

“We’re aiming to end the season with another win, although we’ve got some work to do first to find out what was wrong with the engine this weekend,” Beebe continued.

“It might be quite a difficult job to do because it’s a mysterious electrical problem. We’ll change some parts on the car and get to the bottom of it before the Tempest Rally next month.”

“It’s been a really good season and we would like to finish with another top result.”

Beebe would like to thank Quadro Services, Car User, Plantool Hire Centre, Buildbase and PIAA for the companies’ support throughout the season, as well as his parents, Martin Dee and co-driver Rich Mills for their efforts last weekend.

 

PRESS RELEASE: 29 September 2011

Beebe’s winning streak continues

Another race, another win for Matt Beebe as he maintained his English Rally Championship challenge with victory at the Trackrod Clubmans Trophy Rally in North Yorkshire.

The former British rally champion’s first place in the E4 and two-wheel drive classes leaves him positioned fourth in the English Championship, and in with a great chance of taking a top three finish with one rally remaining.

Beebe now sits just one point behind third placed Warren Philliskirk in the standings, and although he is unlikely to make up enough ground to take top spot, the Nuneaton rally ace is delighted to be up there.

“It’s great to have a chance,” said Beebe. “It’s closed right up at the top, but we’ve got to go to the last round of the championship, do our best and then rely on other people’s misfortunes.”

“If we can get top three it will cap off a great season – after winning our class in the BTRDA championship – it goes to show yet again how competitive we are despite having a less powerful car than the other challengers.”

Despite coming home with a winning margin of more than 30 seconds, it wasn’t all plain sailing for Beebe at Trackrod as there were various complications along the way.

As he tried to make a lightning start on the first stage, Beebe out-braked himself and collided with a couple of bales on the first corner.

Luckily the damage the car sustained was only superficial and he continued, only for Beebe to lose control again on the next corner – although this time he didn’t hit anything.

He continued: “The stages are really challenging and you’ve got to concentrate at all times. Conditions were a little slippy and I needed to refocus to stay in the rally.”

“After the crash on the first corner I thought the rally was going to be over, but it turned out to only be panel damage and the radiator remained intact.”

“We lost a lot of time on the stage but had another stroke of luck when we found a Subaru had overturned further down the track so all the times were cancelled.”

The drama wasn’t over, as Beebe’s MG ZR160 then cut out on the way to the second stage. After a quick electronics repair, it was back up and running.

“Once we got going on the stage we didn’t look back,” Beebe added. “We took a lot of time in the next few stages and ended up winning relatively comfortable.”

“I’m very pleased overall because, even though we had problems, we couldn’t have done any better on what is a difficult course. It’s one of the fastest in the country and you can’t take it easy.”

“Thanks go to Quadro, my co-driver Paula Swinscoe, Martin Dee and my parents for making it all possible.” “See us in action on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NYYtIAr6VY”

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: 12th September 2011

Delighted Beebe takes class win

Nuneaton rally ace Matt Beebe enjoyed one his “best ever” drives as he claimed another class victory at the Woodpecker Stages Rally in Ludlow.

Beebe beat off strong competition to be the first N3 class and front-wheel drive car home, and leave himself in with a fighting chance of winning the MSA English Rally Championship.

The result leaves him fourth in the standings and within touching distance of the leaders, with two rallies remaining.

After completing his season objective by clinching the BTRDA N3 crown in his last outing, Beebe was able to throw caution to the wind and concentrate on achieving the fastest possible stage times.

“It was great to go out there and push all the way,” said Beebe. “My aim is normally just to finish the rally so I gain BTRDA points, but it was a refreshing change to be able to concentrate solely on times.”

“I didn’t leave anything in the forest; I couldn’t have gone any faster. I took all the risks possible and it was probably one of the best rallies I’ve ever driven.”

With the shackles off, Beebe set the fastest time of any N3 car in five of the seven sectors and finished 30 seconds ahead of his closest rival, Alex Parpottas.

Twenty-nine year-old Beebe continued: “There were a number of competitors in the field from the British championship and I didn’t expect to be able to beat them because they’re meant to be the future hot shots and have faster cars”

“It was great to show I’m not too old to compete and that I’m capable of beating them even if my car isn’t as powerful.”

“Alex started to put pressure on me at the end and he set a good time on the final sector, but I managed to beat that by three seconds. He said afterwards he was amazed I’d found that extra time out there, especially in the dusty conditions.”

Beebe’s next test is the Trackrod Clubman Trophy at the end of September, where he aims to keep the pressure up on the leaders in the English Championship.

He added: “I’d like to follow up this victory with another top performance and, having won there last year, I’ll go into Trackrod feeling confident.”

“For now though I want to enjoy this weekend. Thanks go to Martin Dee and Dan Surridge from CMC Motorsport, my co-driver Rich Mills, as well as my parents for helping me to do it.”

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: 10th July 2011

Beebe takes BTRDA N3 crown

Matt Beebe claimed another class victory at the Nicky Grist Quinton Stages Rally in Wales and clinched the BTRDA Class N3 Championship in the process.

It is the first time the Nuneaton rally driver has taken top spot in the BTRDA standings, having taken the title with two rallies remaining.

“It’s good to have wrapped up the BTRDA title,” said Beebe. “We finished second in our class last year and set ourselves the target of going one better this season, and I’m pleased to have done just that.”

“It’s a good reward for the team’s hard work and we can now go into the last two rallies of the championship with less pressure and concentrate more on our speed than just crossing the finish line.”

Beebe’s result at Quinton, which also saw him 1st in class and finish as the fastest two-wheel-drive front-wheel-drive car and 35th overall, has propelled him into fourth in the Silver Star Championship, which is contested by more powerful opponents.

The three-time British Rally Champion continued: “It’s great to be so well placed with two rallies remaining. We’re against cars with higher specifications than our MG, so to be up there is an achievement in itself.”

Beebe’s giant-killing capabilities were on full show at the Quinton Rally, having challenged many more superior cars all weekend – leading many throughout the competition.

“We were ahead of some cars that are better than ours right until the end,” commented Beebe. “Unfortunately the last stage was uphill and the difference in power told, but it was great to show that we could compete with them when it isn’t all about the car.”

“The whole weekend went really well and I’m pleased with how I drove and the car’s performance. We didn’t have any problems at all.”

“The stages are fast and really fun and, with the weather being so changeable between heavy rain and sun, it was really exciting and I didn’t know what was coming round the next corner.”

Beebe has got a six-week break now until his next rally at the Woodpecker Rally in Ludlow and will concentrate on his business, M8T BB Rallying Ltd in the mean time.

 

PRESS RELEASE: 20 June 2011

Beebe claims top ten finish

Nuneaton rally ace Matt Beebe put on a fantastic performance for his local followers as he claimed an eighth place finish at the Rally of the Midlands last weekend.

Beebe made up ground on the leading cars in superb style as he battled up from an original seeding position of 61 to reach the top ten.

The three-time British Rally Champion said: "I'm really happy with the drive and our final placing. We were a bit disappointed to be ranked as low as 61 and we tried to get it changed, but the organisers felt that due to the car and previous results we were starting around the position we were expected to finish in.

"It made us determined to show that we were better than that and it was great to upset the seedings.”

"Starting so low down in the field actually made the rally more interesting. I felt like a bit like a British touring car as we went past some of the other cars in front of us."

Beebe believes that, despite having to battle through the field, his stage times and final standing weren't compromised too much.

The driver does feel he could have achieved an even more impressive position if he had been able to race on all of the stages though, after four of the sections were cancelled due to accidents by other cars further up the road. This meant that Beebe was given notional times based on previous times of similar cars that had completed the stage.

"We probably lost about 30 seconds from the notional times and I reckon we could have been sixth if I'd driven them," he continued. "We pushed hard all the way round the courses and were only nine seconds behind the eventual seventh place finisher.”

"It's a bit disappointing when things go against you like that, but that's rally really and things don't always go exactly how you'd like them to."

Overall, Beebe was particularly pleased with his performance considering that this year's Rally of the Midlands had a stronger field than normal thanks to being a round of the British BTRDA Tarmac Championship this year.

Beebe added: "It was good to test ourselves against some different cars this year. Our car is better on gravel, but with the changing weather conditions over the weekend it played into our hands because we had more grip going round some of the tight, wet corners than some of the others.”

"I'd like to thank my co-driver Martin Dee, my parents, Quadro Services Limited, Bedworth Civic Hall for its sponsorship, Dan and Rich at CMC Motorsport and Buildbase for the support I had through this rally, also AVO and PIAA."

 

PRESS RELEASE: 15 June 2011

Beebe aims to continue good run

Three-time British rally champion Matt Beebe hopes to continue his recent good form in his own backyard as he takes part in the Rally of the Midlands this weekend.

The Nuneaton-based driver has enjoyed an encouraging start to the 2011 season, claiming three N3 class victories from five rallies. He now faces the task of the annual midlands event that runs through Bedworth and Hinckley among other local stages.

Beebe said: “It’s always nice to race at the Rally of the Midlands and it’d be great to carry on in the same form we’ve shown this year and get a good result. My co-driver for the weekend will be Martin Dee who helped me build the rally car, prepares the car prior to each rally and services on events with me, this is his chance to experience what it’s like in the car and call the stage notes. ”

“There are quite a lot of people who know us in the area, so if they come and watch I’d like to show them what I can do.”

“Like the rest of season though, our main aim is to finish all of the stages and have fun while doing it. It’s served us well so far this year.”

Beebe’s previous rally was last weekend at the Dukeries Rally in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, where he finished in first place in his class 2 minutes ahead of his nearest rival and 16th overall, Co-driven for the 2nd time this year by Paula Swinscoe of Rallytech Ltd.

This success followed on from a strong performance at the Plains Rally in Wales, which has left Beebe top of the N3 standings in the British championship and in the top ten of the two-wheel-drive competition, co-driven by Rich Mills from Warwick.

“The car feels good at the moment and touch wood we’re not having any problems,” continued the father of two. “We’ve been going well all season and are getting some positive results to match that.”

“We had a few handling issues earlier in the season but we replaced the suspension and sub frames and we’ve been running well ever since.”

“We’re proud of our positions in the championships but we’re concentrating on having fun and getting good runs. It’s paying dividends at the moment and the results are a real bonus.”

As part of a busy schedule, Beebe and his team paraded at the Nuneaton Carnival on Sunday and appeared in Nuneaton town centre on Wednesday to raise awareness of his success, promote Rally of the Midlands and this weekend’s sponsor, Bedworth Civic Hall.

Beebe added: “We wanted to put on a bit of a show for people and let them come to see the car and ask us about rallying.”

“It’s a great opportunity to spread the word and let everyone see what we’re about. We’ve been lucky enough to be sponsored by Bedworth Civic Hall for this weekend’s rally and it’s a chance to get their name out there too.”

PRESS RELEASE: 20 April 2011

Beebe wins Somerset class

Nuneaton rally driver Matt Beebe continued his strong start to the new season with his second class win in three rallies.

Beebe secured victory at the Somerset Stages last weekend, and moved clear at the top of the N3 Class of the British Trials and Rally Drivers Association Championship (BTRDA) and the E4 class of the MSA English Rally Championship.

The three-time BRC Champion dominated his class competitors from the outset, and finished over five minutes ahead of the second placed car. Reunited with his co-driver from last year Rich Mills it did not take long for them to settle in to their stride.

“It was a good result, and it’s left us in a good position in the championship,” said a delighted Beebe. “We’re very happy with how everything has turned out for us so far this season.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing though, as Beebe suffered a heart-stopping moment on the final stage when he exited a large bump out of shape and ended up off the track. Luckily the car remained unscathed and he recovered to triumph.

Having crashed out of the event last year, it could have bought back some bad memories for Beebe, but he insists it is all in the past as he concentrates on what he can achieve this year.

He continued: “You try not to make a big deal of it when you get back to the scene of an accident. When we were going round the same corner we were a bit cautious, but once we got passed it we’d put it to bed.”

“We knew from then we’d have a good day, although we nearly threw it all away towards the end.”

Having missed the 2 stages on Porlock Hill last year Matt cannot wait to go back next year it was the highlight of this years rally for him, the only Tarmac stages in a Gravel and Forest Rally Championship.

“It’s the sort of thing that would have cost us last year, but at the moment everything is going to plan, the car performed very well after all our handling problems on the Malcolm Wilson rally last month.”

Unsure whether the team would make it to this rally after their rally trailer was stolen with 1 week to go however thanks must go to CMC who stepped in and loaned them one for the trip to Minehead. Thanks also to AVO (suspension), PIAA (lights and wipers) and Martin Dee.

Next up for Beebe is a trip to the Plains Rally in Wales, where he will hope to continue his successful form.

 

PRESS RELEASE: 6th March 2011

Beebe Spins His Way Through the Malcolm Wilson Rally

Nuneaton rally driver Matt Beebe had more spins on the Malcolm Wilson Rally at the weekend than the whole of last year. Matt and stand in co-driver Paula Swinscoe were feeling quite dizzy when they arrived back in Cockermouth on Saturday evening after a days rallying around the forests in Cumbria. Matt said ‘I have never had so many spins in one day. In the morning the stage were quite damp under the trees but by the afternoon they had dried out but the car was virtually un-driveable.

Special Stage 1 ‘Comb’ in the Whinlatter Forest Matt had 2 spins although he was familiar with part of the stage, as he had been walking there with his family last Easter. Stage 2 ‘Hobcarton’ although still damp was a better stage with no pirouettes. At the end of stage 3 ‘Greystoke 1’ the car appeared backwards out of the stage as Matt spun after the flying finish while slowing down for the finish line .He reversed into the time control and as there was no room to turn round continued to reverse out of the stage. Back at first service the car was checked over, tyres changed front to back and refuelled but nothing was found wrong with the car.

On stage 4 ‘Grizedale North’ Matt hit a deep gully and a large rock realigning one of the front wheels resulting in handling problems, after stopping to change the wheel before the Grizedale South stage Matt and Paula had another spin. Once back at service again they discovered that they had bent part of the steering but decided to carry on. Stage 6 was again in Greystoke Forest but in the reverse direction from the morning. Matt had only ever driven this stage once before in 2007 when he competed in the Pirelli Star driver competition immediately after Wales Rally GB. This time he felt more at home driving his MG ZR rather than the 2 cars he was required to drive in the Pirelli Star driver.

Matt said at the end of the stage ‘I really enjoyed that one’. A quick refuel and readjustment to the fuse box and Matt and Paula made their way to the last stage of the day ‘Wythop’ .With another spin on stage and the sun setting over the Cambrian Fells it had been a very testing day for the car and driver with lots of bumpy stages, spins and early morning damp conditions in the forests.

Matt said at the end of the day ‘so many spins in one rally I’ll contact the English Cricket Board to see if there are any bowling vacancies. We came here last year and did not get to the finish so I’m very pleased with how things went this year.’

‘I would like to thank Paula, from Rallytech.com, for stepping into co-driver seat at the last minute as George Gwynn, my usual co-driver became a dad on the Friday night. Congratulations to George and Sarah on the birth of Bailey and we look forward to seeing them all on the next rally the Somerset Stages in April.’

After finishing the Malcolm Wilson Rally Matt still leads the Group N3 class in both the BTRDA and MSA English Championships. For more information on Matt and M8T BB Rallying go to www.mattbeebe.co.uk.