Day 1, 13.59 (GMT), Saturday 5 June, Guernsey Harbour

By Aaron Scoones (thisisguernsey)

Well here we go again.
After nearly two years since the first Bubblegum Bangers Rally, we’ve embarked on another one.
And this time it’s extreme.
3,000 miles around Europe, taking in too many countries for me to list here over eight mad-capped days.
Except, we’ve not really got going yet because our ferry to St Malo has been delayed by a couple of hours due to technical problems and the harbour car park is currently full with the weird and wonderful array of Bubblegum machines.
Bit of a shame really as the day got off to a flyer.
The 60 odd cars met at Crabby Jacks at 9.30am this morning before we all drove in convoy, escorted by the Guernsey Police, around the top of the island and to the harbour.
It was staggering how many people were by the side of the road, waving us on.
It was a great way to start the rally.
Of course, myself and team-mate Nick Mann (who from now on will be referred to by his nickname of Manno), were lucky to be there in our MX5.
Now a lot has already been said in the media about my crash in Monday’s hill climb and I’m not going to add any more on the matter as I don’t think it warrants any more comment…
But needless to say I’ve received plenty of stick about the incident.
I finally picked the car up at 6pm last night from Forest Road Garage.
It required new rear suspension and repairs to the rear axle plus a new radiator.
Forest Road Garage worked on it all week and it’s working a treat now.
A big thank you must go to Big Dale Crowsley and his boys at FRG.
And again, a big sorry…