‘Man and Machine: Neil Armstrong Ready for the 2WD Battle’

Article by Glenn Beckles
Photos by Neil Armstrong & Jason Prescod

Neil Armstrong is a man on a mission. If there was any doubt about this, one only needed to see Neil’s performance at the recently held BRC Shakedown Stages Rally.  Constantly on the heels of and even beating some four-wheel drive competitors, Neil and his Toyota Starlet took fastest two-wheel drive honours. There’s nothing new to the notion of Armstrong and his Starlet being in giant-killing mode, what is new, however is what lies in the belly of the beast.

During the 2003 edition of Rally Barbados, the phrase “trio of hot Starlets” became famous, describing the Starlets of Barry Mayers, Jason Parkinson and Cliff Roett as they laid siege to the stages on Day 2, setting stage fastest times and leaving numerous four-wheel drives in their wake. However, Neil Armstrong’s Starlet isn’t just hot…it’s an incendiary device. This Starlet’s story is one of evolution, beginning on Day 1 of Rally Barbados 2006. Neil filled us in “The car was really running very well before it was totaled in RB06 and I could see the potential it had (I was running 8th overall). I felt I owed it to the car to rebuild it but I would have never guessed back then that it would become the beast it is today.” With the Starlet having a special place in his heart, moves were afoot to bring the beast back to life.

Fast forward to 2009 when local motorsport fans got word that Neil’s EP82 was coming back to the stages, but nothing could have prepared them for what they were about to witness. At the Shell V-Power King of The Hill event Neil and his Starlet (dubbed the Pitbullet) being used as Car Zero left the crowd in awe. Sporting a time attack styled body kit, screaming engine and 6-speed sequential gearbox, the beast was well and truly alive. More was to come from this dynamic duo, and 2011 just might see them reach their highest heights yet.

There have been many changes throughout the local motorsport fraternity, and Neil has embraced such change. No longer competing in Super Modified 9, he has stepped up to Super Modified 10. What brought about this change? “The main reason for the change is that the car was too heavy for S9, I would always be at a disadvantage when compared to a rear-wheel drive starlet or similar car that could be built bang on the weight limit and of course more power is never a bad thing. For me the lines between the S groups are blurred, my group is anyone in a two-wheel-drive car so being bumped up into S10 was not a big deal for me.” What provides this extra power, you may ask? “Last year’s engine was your off the shelf Atlantic spec 4age, this one is much the same just built around a 7age bottom end with a few tricks.” There’s also the issue of a colour change. No longer is the EP82 grey, but it is now matte black, and without a sponsor’s livery “Well, I’ve got some new sponsors so I’m not sure if it can be called the Pitbullet again this year…” Judging from his escapades during the Shakedown Stages, “The Grim Reaper” would have been a perfect choice.

While everything seemed to go quite smoothly for the Shakedown Stages, spectators had no idea that preparation for the event went right down to the wire. “The prep for the warm up rally was very last minute with the engine only landing in Barbados on the Wednesday before the event. It started for the first time around 2am on Saturday morning and drove for the first time around 9pm on Saturday night. Miraculously the car did not have a single issue and I believe it could have done another 12 stages the next day. Huge thanks to Alan and “Chippy” Bayne and Barry Ward for making it happen.” Looking ahead to Rally Barbados what is Neil’s strategy? “Rally Barbados is a unique beast; I love it and hate it at the same time. My first goal of any RB is just to get to the end. If you can get to the finish without any major issues, you will have a result you can be proud of. My game plan will be to try to find a reasonable pace and stick with it through Saturday; Sunday morning will be the time to attack. Fastest two-wheel drive would be a great result. There is a lot of hype surrounding the two-wheel drive cars this year and I think there are at least 5 guys who could win the title. It’s going to be a very interesting two days.”

Spectators will be in for a treat when Rally Barbados rolls around on June 4^th and 5^th. Neil Armstrong and his Toyota Starlet will be part of the equation to ensure that. However, one question still lingers with fans…Is there another phase in the evolution of this personification of automotive beauty? “Maybe some changes to the rear suspension but that’s it, this is the final evolution.” Red265 Rally Media would like to wish Neil all the best, not only for Rally Barbados but in all of the events to come. We’d also like to thank him for taking the time out to speak to us and share the story in his labour of love. Stay tuned to Red265 Rally Media within the coming days as we count down to the Shell V-Power King of The Hill and SOL Rally Barbados.

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