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Report, round eight: Trackrod Historic Cup
Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship
Press release: Monday, 29 September, 2008
After four first-class forest stages in Yorkshire, Nick Elliott and Dave Price scored an impressive debut victory as they contested the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship for the first time.
The Cheltenham crew went quickest on the opener in Housedale and extended their lead to score a classy victory in category three.
In category one, Patrick Watts/Elgan Davies bagged another win despite a spirited challenge from Bob Bean/Malcolm Smithson, while Steven Smith/John Nichols won category two in the face of a real challenge from Tim Mason/Graham Wild.
Smith and Watts will now await the deliberations of the championship stewards to know the destiny of the BHRC title, which remains undecided pending the outcome of eligibility issues with the C4 Porsches on the Tour of Flanders.
Category 1
Watts/Davies went into the rally knowing that another category one victory would keep their title hopes running, and duly took victory despite running on a range of used tyres. "It was tricky in Langdale," said Watts of the 15-mile stage that wrapped up the short, sharp event. "We had some big tank-slappers, so eased off a bit," he added.
But victory was secure, although the margin to the flying Lotus Cortina of Bean/Smithson was only 20s. With one of the drives of the rally, Bean bagged class B4 and stunned his rivals with his speed over his native Yorkshire forests. "Well pleased," said Bob of his day's work.
Pushed back into third in the category were Dessie Nutt and Geraldine McBride (Porsche 911), after a couple of spins and several overshoots in an unusually untidy run. They were just 5s up on the Lotus Cortina in Neil Calvert/Arlene Cookson, who were quick to acknowledge Bean's pace. "Bob's been on a mission and we couldn't keep with him, although we have tried," said Calvert.
The fight for B2 fell to James Stait/Gill Cotton, who completed a 100% finishing record in the MG Midget. However, Terry Cree/Richard Shores (Mini Cooper S) were only 12s behind despite picking up two punctures on the opening stage. It looked like their rally might be over, but the generous help of Mike Barratt loaned them the spare wheel from his Imp, albeit of a different size, but it got them running again.
Barratt and Jody Watson (Sunbeam Stiletto) were rewarded for their sporting act by winning B1 after the Imp of Geoff Taylor/Steve Greenhill was sidelined by diff problems.
Category 2
Despite a handling problem over the opening three stages followed by brake dramas in Langdale, Smith/Nichols (Porsche 911RS) bagged category two. "The pedal went to the floor and I had to give it a second pump," said Smith after a major overshoot at the downhill hairpin in Langdale. "For some reason it didn't get any worse and I did have some brakes," he said of the rest of the 15-miler.
Only 22s down on Smith at the finish was the 911 of Mason/Wild after a mighty performance. "We went off on the first stage and spun in Cropton," but I'm pleased with the result said Mason after his best ever BHRC result.
The Escort Mk1 pack in C5 lost Ernie Graham/Robin Kellard when they stopped in Langdale and Rikki Proffitt/John Roberts who rolled at Milner's Bend in Gale Rigg. Instead, Belgian commuters Stefaan Stouf/Joris Erard were delighted C5 winners after a fine run, with Simon Wallis/Ian Beveridge taking second in C5 after a good day in their Escort. "Excellent day," said Wallis at the finish.
However, the highest placed Escort Mk1 in the category was the C3 car of Peter Smith/Russ Langthorne, who marked the driver's birthday with a mighty run on Peter's first rally in his local forests for 30 years.
Despite a couple of moments in Langdale, Drew Wylie/Howard Pridmore (Escort Mk1) bagged second in C3 from Robin Shuttleworth/Mark Midgley as camshaft failure sidelined Russell Morgan/Martin Kenyon.
However, there was consolation for the Morgan/Kenyon team as the junior squad of Adam Morgan and Chris Kenyon took C2 in their Escort Mk1 despite losing time to an electrical gremlin.
Category 3
The battle between Elliott/Price and Darren Moon/John McNichol never really got started and came to a close when Moon punctured in Cropton and stopped to change the wheel. By then, Elliott had gone clear and, having caught Moon struggling through Cropton, knew that he could ease back his pace and score a hugely impressive victory on his first run in his historic spec car.
With Moon way down the order, through to a fine second place in the category came Dick Slaughter/Geoff Dearing, on their first rally since the Isle of Man with their ex-works Escort Mk2. They ended the rally just 4s up on Simon Tysoe/Rob Dyson, with Charlie Taylor/Steve Bielby not far adrift.
"Not bad for an old chap; we've had a super day," said Slaughter. "We backed it off a bit too much on the last stage," said Tysoe, who had been 8s up on Slaughter going into the Langdale stage.
Polly Patti/Chris Dewsnap (Escort Mk2) had a good run to fifth, while another good run came from Roger Kilty/Lynette Banks, who were sixth in the Vauxhall Chevette.
Making a welcome return to rallying after a six-month break was Steve Magson, and he took his Opel Ascona to D3 victory with Geoff Atkinson alongside. They saw off the challenge from the Escorts of Chris Shooter/Bev LeGood and Mark Dickinson/Gavin Heseltine.
In D2, Pat Anderson and Tom Mansfield bagged the class in their Sunbeam Talbot, despite losing a lot of time.
Added: 29th September 2008 [permalink]
BHRC preview, round eight: Trackrod Historic Cup
Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally ChampionshipPress release: Thursday, 18 September, 2008
The final round of the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship will take crews into the legendary Yorkshire forests for the Trackrod Historic Cup.
After three asphalt events, the BHRC returns to gravel stages for the eighth and final round of the season and, heading for Yorkshire, it is Steven Smith and Patrick Watts in the running for the overall title.
The size of the BHRC entry has inevitably been hit by the date clash with the McRae Stages, but the rally still promises to be a fitting finale to a fabulous season for historic rallying.
Category 1
Patrick Watts and Elgan Davies are expected to head the category one entry in their Sunbeam Tiger and know that only victory will keep them in with a chance of the BHRC crown. But the Tiger is well suited to the Yorkshire stages, so they will start favourites to bag category one spoils.
Leading the chase of the Tiger will be Dessie Nutt and Geraldine McBride in their Porsche 911, returning to the faithful yellow 911 after running their later 911 in category two on the recent Tour of Flanders. Joining Nutt in another 911 from the Team Tuthill stable will be Phil and Barbara Smith.
Likely to keep Nutt on his toes will be the Lotus Cortina of Bob Bean/Malcolm Smithson, while Neil Calvert/Arlene Cookson should cap a mighty season with another fine run in their Cortina.
Terry Cree and Richard Shores will make a welcome championship return in their Mini Cooper and are sure to be pacesetters in class B2, while class B1 will be a battle of the Hillman Imps. Geoff Taylor/Steve Greenhill will pit their Sunbeam Imp Sport against the Stiletto of Mike Barratt and Jody Watson, although if an entry from Gary and Jane Edgington is confirmed, they will start as likely B1 pacesetters.
Category 2
Category two is for the cars produced from 1968 to 1974 and Steven Smith and John Nichols head the title contest in their Porsche 911RS. Like Watts/Davies, they really need another maximum score to give themselves the best shot of taking the title. Ranged against them in C4 will be the 911RS of Tim Mason/Graham Wild, which will go well on Mason's local event.
Missing from the Escort ranks in class C5 will be defending champions David Stokes and Guy Weaver, following their major accident in Flanders. Instead, the Escorts of Rikki Proffitt/John Roberts and Belgian crew Stefaan Stouf/Joris Erard will challenge for C5 victory.
A fabulous entry in class C3 should deliver one of the biggest battles of the rally, with at least five potential class winners among the Escort Mk1 pack. Showing great pace over recent rallies have been the three XS Racing cars of Peter Smith/Russ Langthorne, Drew Wylie/Howard Pridmore and Andrew Siddall/Captain Thompson, but the return to the series of Russell Morgan/Martin Kenyon will set the C3 bar very high. Locals Robin Shuttleworth and Mark Midgley should also be in contention in what promises to be a mighty contest, while opposition to the Escorts comes from the Toyota Celica of Robert Close/Mike Reynolds.
In C2, the Morgan/Kenyon junior team of Adam Morgan and Chris Kenyon will field their Escort Mk1.
Category 3
After a tremendous victory on the Tour of Flanders, the Ford Escort Mk2 of Darren Moon/John McNichol should be the car to beat on stages they know very well. However, the BHRC debut of Nick Elliott/Dave Price in their Escort Mk2 could give Moon a major battle on his home event.
Adding great quality to the D5 entry will be more Escorts for Simon Tysoe/Rob Dyson, Dick Slaughter/Geoff Dearing and Charlie Taylor/Steve Bielby along with the Vauxhall Chevette HSR of Roger Kilty/Lynette Banks.
Local aces Steve Magson/Geoff Atkinson return to contest class D3 in their Opel Ascona, going up against the Escorts of Polly Patti/Chris Dewsnap and Keith Stones/Tom Hughes, while Pat Anderson/Tom Mansfield run their Talbot Sunbeam in class D2.
The Trackrod Historic Cup starts at 7.50am on Saturday 27 September from Pickering Showground. For more details about the event, please visit the website at: www.rallyyorkshire.co.uk
Added: 18th September 2008 [permalink]
BHRC goes Dunlop for 2009
Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally ChampionshipPress release: Thursday, 18 September 2008
The Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship will switch to a single make of tyre for 2009, with Dunlop becoming the championship's tyre of choice for at least the next three years.
All cars registered for the 2009 BHRC will be required to use Dunlop tyres, unless there is not a suitable tyre size available in the Dunlop range for that particular type of car. In such instances, by agreement with the championship eligibility scrutineer, alternative tyre types will be permitted.
"This is great news for the BHRC," said championship co-ordinator Simon Marks. "This is something that we have been working very hard to conclude and it secures the well-being of the championship for at least the next three years. Although, globally, we are facing uncertain times, this major commitment from Dunlop will allow us to consolidate and continue building the hugely successful BHRC."
Currently, around 80% of the BHRC field already uses Dunlop tyres, including those who choose to run second-hand tyres, and this option will continue. Pricing controls have been built into the agreement to ensure competitors continue to receive value for money.
Dunlop's commitment to the BHRC has already run for a number of years and it has been joint title championship sponsor for 2007 and 2008. A total of 300 tyres have now been given away to 110 crews via the Dunlop Bonus Scheme. Once again in 2008, three crews - one from each of the BHRC categories - are drawn from a hat at each round to receive a free pair of Dunlop tyres.
This new three-year agreement builds on Dunlop's outstanding support for the BHRC and will allow the championship organisers to pursue a range of enhancements for the championship and its competitors, including increased TV coverage. Further details about the agreement will be announced over the coming weeks.
Added: 18th September 2008 [permalink]
BHRC calendar close to complete
Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally ChampionshipPress release: Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Seven of the eight events in the 2009 Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship are now confirmed and the eighth event is due to be announced shortly after the end of the current championship season.
The championship organisers are particularly pleased to confirm that the Mid Wales Stages will once again be included in the championship. They acknowledged the work by Newtown & DAC to move the rally a week earlier in June, thus ensuring a minimum of three weeks between events.
"The calendar has come together very well and I'm extremely pleased with the range of events we have on the BHRC schedule," said championship co-ordinator Simon Marks. "We have also worked hard with event organisers to ensure that we have at least three weeks between events, as we know this is an important factor for our competitors, particularly those who prepare their own cars.
"We have a mix of accessible 'home' rallies as well as two challenging multi-day 'away' events with the Isle of Man Historic Rally and the Tour of Flanders. These are aspirational events for many competitors and are very valid inclusions in a major British championship."
The seven confirmed events to date are:
28 March; Bulldog Rally (gravel)
17/18 April; Pirelli Historic Rally (gravel)
30 May; Severn Valley Stages (gravel)
20/21 June; Mid Wales Stages (gravel)
9-11 July; Isle of Man Historic Rally (asphalt)
1/2 August; Harry Flatters Rally (asphalt)
Late Aug/early Sept; Tour of Flanders (asphalt)
The eighth and final round will be confirmed shortly, while a reserve event may also be appointed as a fall back to cover any unforeseen circumstances.
Added: 17th September 2008 [permalink]
Report, round seven: Tour of Flanders Historic Rally
Press release: Monday, 15 September, 2008
After a tremendous battle with the Escort Mk1 of Frank Cunningham and Ryland James, category two victory in Belgium finally went to the Porsche 911RS of Steven Smith and John Nichols.
The Tour of Flanders was another great event to form round seven of the 2008 Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic, with some challenging stages and tricky conditions when rain arrived for the final leg on Saturday.
In category one, Patrick Watts and Elgan Davies swept to a resounding victory in the Sunbeam Tiger, while in category three it was Belgian newcomer Darren Moon who scored a great win with John Stanger-Leathes on the notes in his Escort Mk2.
Category 1
It was something of a disappointment for Watts when he arrived in Belgium to find that he was the only runner in class B5, so full championship points were not available. But he got on with trying to push the rumbling Tiger as high up the overall order as he could and duly finished well inside the top 10 BHRC crews.
The Tiger ran beautifully, despite the usual concerns over brakes and Watts chucked it around in style "It's been a good fun event," said Watts after another fine performance.
Remarkably, second in the category went to the MG Midget of James Stait and Gill Cotton after a very trouble free rally. "No problems," said James. "It's slightly nicer in the dry," he added, after taking a dominant B2 victory.
Trouble free could not describe the rally of Neil Calvert and Arlene Cookson, however, who battled through Saturday just to keep their Lotus Cortina in the rally. A catalogue of problems nearly put them OTL and concern over a failing head gasket meant they had to ease the revs back all through Sunday. Even a trip through a hedge failed to stop them, however, and B4 victory was just reward for a tough weekend.
In B1, the Singer Chamois of Gary and Jane Edgington starred on their debut in Flanders. Relishing the fact that Flanders is flat, Gary pedalled the Imp in style and took third in the category as well as B1 spoils over Mike Barratt/Jody Watson (Sunbeam Stiletto).
Category 2
The star of Saturday in category two was Cunningham, who grabbed the lead with a storming performance on his favourite event. "I felt fabulous all day, as long as it was dry. The car was doing exactly what it was supposed to do," said Frank. But the rain that fell for the last loop of stages was his downfall as Smith/Nichols used the conditions to grab the lead.
"Down to a square left it just wouldn't stop and we went straight into a cornfield," said Frank. "We got away with probably dropping 20 seconds in there. But I was very cautious for the next two stages on that leg."
"It rained!" said a jubilant Smith at the end of Saturday, having taken a lead that he would hold through a dry Sunday. Cunningham's progress on Sunday was hindered by a broken spring, but that was changed at service with help from Smith's XS Racing crew.
David Stokes/Guy Weaver went out on Saturday after a broken TCA pitched them into an electricity pylon, thankfully without harm, Ernie Graham/Alec Cooper led the chase of Cunningham in C5 and took third in category from Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride, who had a great run first time out in Dessie's rebuilt C4 Porsche 911.
A very strong C3 category was won by the Escort Mk1 of Peter Smith/Russ Langthorne, but only after a long tussle with team mates Andrew Siddall/Captain Thompson. Both had moments in the rain, and Smith had an off again on Sunday morning, but still had things under control when Siddall hit late engine dramas. That allowed Robin Shuttleworth and Mark Midgley through to second in their Escort, while Neil Rudd/Brian Hodgson (Escort Mk1) bagged C2.
Category 3
The pace of Moon was one of the stories of the rally as he contested the event for the first time and with Stanger-Leathes alongside on the notes for the first time. A great category victory was just reward. "Brilliant! The best event I've done since coming into historics," said Moon at the end of Saturday and even a disputed 60s road penalty failed to spoil their result.
However, it could have been closer had Richard Hill and Patrick Cooper not spent over two minutes in a ditch on Saturday morning. They got back on with help from spectators and recovered to take second, staying clear of the Porsche 911RS of Adrian Kermode/Liz Jordan. The Porsche took D4 spoils, having achieved the target of getting further than the 1-mile they had managed a year earlier.
The D3 entry was tremendous and victory was reward for a mighty performance from Mark and Brett Clifford (Escort Mk2). They pushed hard, and really thought it was all over when the Escort popped out of a cut and dived into a ditch in Passendale, still going at very high speed. But it ran down the ditch and popped back out, with no damage. "We were both screaming," admitted Mark.
They had battled hard on Saturday with Arwel Evans/Arwel Jenkins (Escort RS2000) and the defining moment came when Evans stalled, with a failing starter motor. He lost about a minute and that was too much to give away to the flying Cliffords.
Will Onions/Tim Hobbs had a catalogue of dramas, but got to the finish for third in their Escort RS2000, just edging Chris Shooter/Bev LeGood in the process. Meanwhile, Pat Anderson/Tom Mansfield overcame gearbox woes to win D2 in their Sunbeam Talbot.
Added: 15th September 2008 [permalink]
BHRC preview, round seven: Historic Tour of Flanders
Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship
Press release: Monday, 8 September, 2008
Contenders in the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship will cross the channel this weekend the penultimate event of the season, the Historic Tour of Flanders (13/14 September).
The third and final asphalt event of the season is always a popular event and the roads around the host town of Roeselare in Belgium provide a unique challenge for the crews. Nearly half of the 80-car historic entry is made up of BHRC contenders and with only the Trackrod Historic Rally to follow Flanders, the championship battle is finely balanced.
Category 1
Patrick Watts and Elgan Davies head the category one entry in their Sunbeam Tiger and can still challenge to retain the overall BHRC title if they win the category in Belgium. However, they certainly cannot afford another non-finish, so the pressure is on the former BTCC racer and his car to have a clear run.
Running close behind the Tiger will be another crew still well in contention for the title, Dessie Nutt and Geraldine McBride in their Porsche 911.
While the pair of sports cars battle for category one, the Lotus Cortina of current championship leaders Neil Calvert and Arlene Cookson will be chasing hard and bidding for class B4 honours to keep their title bid running.
In the 1300cc category, class B2, James Stait and Gill Cotton are having a great season in their MG Midget and are well up in the overall championship standings. Last year's trip to Flanders was not a good event for the rapid MG and Stait will be eager to finish with another class win this time around.
The Sunbeam Imp of Gary and Jane Edgington and the Sunbeam Stiletto of Mike Barratt and Jody Watson top class B1 and it is the Edgingtons who should set the pace, despite being unfamiliar with the event.
Category 2
Category two is for the cars produced from 1968 to 1974 and Steven Smith and John Nichols head the key title contenders in their Porsche 911RS. Like Watts/Davies, they need another maximum score to keep their title hopes alive, but they face a mighty gaggle of Escorts, as well as the Porsche 911s of Peter Lythell/Chris Parsons and XS Racing team mates James Sutherland/Howard Pridmore.
In Escorts in class C5 will be defending champions David Stokes and Guy Weaver, ranged against Frank Cunningham and Ryland James for what could be a repeat of their fabulous battle of Flanders in 2007. However, more very rapid Escorts in the hands of Ernie Graham/Alec Cooper, Rupert Lomax/David Alcock and Craig Salter/Preston Ayres will add to what promises to be a mighty C5 battle.
The contest among the Escort Mk1s in class C3 should be another feature of category two with Flanders newcomers Tim Jones and Don James taking on the XS Racing cars of Peter Smith/Russ Langthorne and Andrew Siddall/Captain Thompson as well as Robin Shuttleworth/Mark Midgley. Adding welcome variety to class C3 will be the Saab 99 of Jim Valentine/Andy Marris, while in C2 is the Escort Mk1 of Neil Rudd/Brian Hodgson.
Category 3
Two of the quickest cars in category three will be Ford Escort Mk2s of Richard Hill/Patrick Cooper and Darren Moon/John Stanger-Leathes, but neither driver has ever rallied in Belgium before, so they face a steep learning curve when the rally starts on Saturday morning.
Ranged against the quickest of the Mk2 Escorts will be the Porsche 911RS of Adrian Kermode/Liz Jordan and more rapid Escorts in the hands of Simon Tysoe/Rob Dyson and brothers Phil and Mick Squires, another crew making a debut in Belgium. Chasing the Escort pack in class D5 will more Flanders virgins in the form of the Sunbeam Lotus of Adrian and Dan Seabridge and the Vauxhall Chevette HSR of Roger Kilty/Lynette Banks.
A tremendous entry for class D3, possibly the best ever, has five versions of the 2-litre Pinto powered Escort in contention. Picking a winner will be very difficult, with Will Onions/Tim Hobbs, Arwel Evans/Arwel Jenkins, Mark and Brett Clifford, Chris Shooter/Bev LeGood and Richard Lane/Frank Richer all lining up with serious intent to win the class.
The Historic Tour Flanders is organised by the Autoclub Midden Vlaanderen. For more details about the event, please visit the website at: www.omloopvanvlaanderen.be
Added: 8th September 2008 [permalink]
HRCR and Richard Egger launch tailored insurance package
Press release: Wednesday 20 August, 2008The HRCR and Richard Egger Insurance have teamed up to offer HRCR members unrivalled insurance products tailored to suit the particular needs of drivers and car owners with an interest in historic rallying.
Notable products include a 'family fleet policy' for people who own several cars. Given the basic assumption that not all cars are driven at once, and that the number of drivers being covered does not exceed the number of vehicles, then sizeable discounts can be available.
Classic car policies are available offering the chance to add period modifications, cover for road sections on regularity and road rallies, cover for scenic tours and much more. For those competing on stage rallies, specific policies are available as well as a dedicated policy for service barges.
There are even policies available for marshals, to cover their vehicle and all the equipment that a marshal carries on events. In addition, HRCR members can enjoy a 5% discount on all other policies.
"We launched Richard Egger Insurance in January with serious backing from our parent, Chaucer Insurance," said Egger, a long-standing HRCR member and competitor in the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship. "In addition to the core motorsport products I developed many years ago, we now have products that are ideal for the broader HRCR membership."
HRCR chairman Chris Hunt Cooke commented: "This is a very useful service for our members. Richard Egger has been around motorsport for a long time and his understanding of the sport enables us to be confident that the products and services he offers will be suitable for our members."
For more details, call Richard Egger Insurance on 0115 985 0165 or visit www.richardeggerinsurance.co.uk
Added: 20th August 2008 [permalink]
Historic rally cars for Oulton Park demo
Press release: Wednesday 20 August, 2008Up to 20 cars and drivers from the MSA British Historic Rally Championship will be in action on the Oulton Park rally stage this weekend, during the Gold Cup race meeting on Sunday and Monday.
The Historic Rally Car Register was invited to provide the cars for annual demonstrations and a cross section of cars from the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship will be in action on Sunday afternoon and Monday (24/ 25 August).
Cars ranging from Austin Healey 3000s and Mini Coopers to Porsche 911s, Triumph TR7V8s and Ford Escorts are expected, with notable drivers including Peter Slights, Rikki Proffitt, Will Onions, Adrian Kermode, David Pedley, Jeff Williamson and John Worthing.
The Gold Cup is a major event in the historic racing season, with a crowd of 10,000 to 15,000 expected on Monday and the rally demonstration is a very popular element of the weekend. Oulton Park is near Tarporley in Cheshire.
Added: 20th August 2008 [permalink]
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