Banbury-based Norbar Torque Tools' donation of over £1000 worth of tools and equipment helped the LEX Armed Forces Rally Team achieve its best-ever performance in 10 years of competing in the gruelling Rally of Reykjavik.
Five of the team's Wolf Land Rovers, together with a team of 30 drivers, co-drivers and mechanics, faced the challenge of 22 fiercely contested stages fought out across Iceland's uncompromising terrain. Team director, Major Alan Paramore, scored an impressive victory in the J12 Jeep class using a specially prepared Land Rover, codenamed Super Wolf .
The other team members also fared well, securing a first, second and third place in the J11 class event. Preparation is important in all motor sports, but particularly so in rallying because of the extreme demands placed on vehicle components.
The rugged terrain of Iceland provides one of the sternest tests imaginable of both man and machine, and Norbar's tools made a welcome contribution to the team's toolbox and to the all-important vehicle preparation for their Icelandic campaign.
The team's service manager, WO2 Daz Ward, says: We are governed by MoD regulations, which lay down precise specifications with respect to repairs. Norbar Torque Tools give us the luxury of being able to accurately torque everything to specification, from engine components to suspension.
Like any road operator, the Armed Forces are very aware of the possibility of wheel failure in its vehicles. Wheel nut torque checks are part of our daily inspections, explains Ward, but these are even more critical over rough terrain because the wheels take a lot of punishment.
Everything on the AFRT's Landrovers is torque checked at the pre-event inspection and the wheels are checked every time the vehicle comes in for service. Using Norbar tools, says Ward, we know the wheel nuts were accurately tightened to begin with.
Any variation in the torque setting during subsequent inspections can often give advance warning of potential problems like stud failure. Having survived the rigours of their Icelandic adventure, the AFRT's Wolf Landrovers will be hoping to repeat their success closer to home in the near future.