Dunoon Presents…………. the Argyll Stages Rally
Rounds 3 & 4 of the HRCR Category 1 Cup was run over two days on the Cowal peninsular of Argyll & Bute on Scotland’s west coast.
This closed road stage rally is a very popular and well organised event promoted by the Mull Car Club as was borne out by the over-subscribed entry………. another reason to be registered contenders of the HRCR championships!
All bar two of the Cat 1 players headed to the west coast with the Paul Dyas/Paul Morris Volvo PV and the Mini of Ken Pryce/Don James opting to sit this one out.
Pre-Event Smiles in the Scrutineers Bay for Hall & Foster
Photo: Chris Phillips
All crews passed through scrutineering at the Holy Loch Marina on Saturday morning before the first two stages around the streets and promenade of Dunoon during the early evening.
The following stages took the crews even further west and into the darkness before returning to Dunoon town for a few hours rest and recuperation.
Stephen Hall and regular co-driver, Aggie Foster took the overnight lead in their TR4 from the Minis of Clive King and Shane Gamble both sporting different co-drivers from previous rounds. King having Ian Harrop alongside whilst Gamble partnering up with Kevin Hogan, both being very experienced in the art of pace note reading, particularly in Minis
The rally giving contenders the opportunity of double points over the two days it was the Hall & Foster Triumph that took Saturday honours over King & Harrop with Gamble & Hogan snapping at their heels. And to add insult to injury the TR also picked up a gallon of Exol oil in the bargain in the usual sponsors draw!
Clive King & Ian Harrop Attacking Dunoon Promenade
Photo; Andy Crayford
Whilst the TR held off an early challenge from King/Harrop on the early stages on Sunday both Minis were reeling it in with the atmosphere in the car a little fraught by the time service was reached back at Dunoon Stadium. For no explainable reason the “notes just weren’t working” for the Scotland based crew or maybe the Mini crews were getting used to the lanes!
Ultimately King/Harrop overhauled the big TR4 on the last loop taking maximum points in Cat 1 on Day 2 but just holding off the new pairing of Gamble/Hogan as they battled into third spot.
Shane Gamble & Kevin Hogan Enjoying the Tight Stuff
Photo: Andy Crayford
Stephan Hall and Aggie Foster still maintain overall lead in the championship with Shane Gamble holding second placed driver. Ian Harrop slipping into second co-driver with Shanes regular co-driver, Julia Perry missing out on the points haul on the Argyll Stages.
Next up is another trip to the infamous Epynt ranges although this time the full-blown two-day Tour of Epynt where entries are already over-subscribed on the Port Talbot Motor Club rally…… glad to see that all the HRCR contenders have been given a run!