Spark Developments Takes on the Six-Hour Rally Car Build Challenge

After rallying the headlines by building a Formula 1000 rally car in 12 hours for junior rally driver, Thomas Marriott, the team at Spark Developments were looking for their next challenge.

The team shared the billing at last weekend’s Rally Legends day at The Motorist, near Leeds with M-Sport Ford World Rally Team.

This was the perfect opportunity to show rally fans and competitors alike, what the Spark Standard is all about.

The mission brief was set: build the Mini Rally Challenge car which rally TV presenter, Paul Woodford and Julia Perry will return to Cadwell Park with, in less than six hours.

After a dramatic and well-documented visit to Cadwell Park in November, during which Team Spark shined brightly under the spotlight, the theatre of this new challenge was fitting.

As the build began, the crowds descended on the Yorkshire venue and the team found themselves with a constant audience.

The concept was simple, the reality though is that the car had to be built to Spark Developments’ usual high standard, ready to rally despite the truncated schedule.

Paul Woodford, who was hosting the event, explained the spectacle fans were treated to:

“I actually would have forgiven the boys for fitting the cage back at HQ, so when the car arrived as a rolling shell with just the engine and gearbox fitted, I knew we were in for an interesting day!

I’ve seen how well this team performs under pressure, but they gave themselves a mountain to climb.”

The rally car was fired up and rolled out of the Spark ‘service area’ just in time to welcome the arrival of the Rally1 WRC Puma and M-Sport Team Principal, Rich Millener.

The build time totalled 3-and-a-half hours, with only a few minor wiring jobs to be completed when the car arrived back at Spark HQ.

As Jamie McBain explained however, there was also another important job left still to do:

“One thing we can’t do here is paint the car or apply the livery. Firstly because it’s raining, but also because we’ve got some very special plans for the car, which will be one of two matching cars we’re building for Paul, and another mystery driver who we will be announcing very soon!

I’m proud of the boys today, everyone pulled together and I’d also like to thank The Motorist for their hospitality. It’s been great to be part of such a high-profile event.”

Look out in the coming weeks as Spark Developments announces its second Cadwell Mini crew, and the cars are revealed ahead of the Alan Healey Memorial Rally on 5th April.