By Martyn Taylor
Well here we are folks, the finale to the 2024 season. I remember last year going into this event and wondering what was going to be in store for us. Nick Bloxham or Blox as he is more affectionately known, has a background in Road Rallying, Targa, Historic events and he has been very successful in all the disciplines. From the Welsh lanes at 4am on a Sunday morning, to a very rapidly driven Puma on Targa events to sitting alongside the ever wise Stephen Owens in the HRCR series. This is without going into Blox’s driving antics in his beloved Mexico…..
So we have a Clerk of the Course with lots of success and experience, with the added incentive to create a lasting memorial to his late Father (a subject worthy of an article in itself), so the 2023 event turned out to be a bit of a cracker. Now I usually drive home after an event but in 2023 I seriously considered booking a hotel as I was exhausted and couldn’t face the long slog up the M6. Which in itself is telling!
As we look forward to the 2024 edition we can expect something a bit special here and the runners and riders on the entry list are a testament to that. The entry list has brought out all the usual suspects as well as a few curve ball entries for this end of season thrash. Quite a few of these guys aren’t registered for points, but are worthy of a mention in the masters below. I think the Road Rally navigators will be the ones to beat on this one, coupled with a driver with a screw loose and hopefully a reliable car.
Steve Head and Niall Frost, the Penguin, is a relative new comer to Historics but he has a background in Road events and Stage Rallying (don’t mention the RAC 2001) and who would bet against Mr Frost after his third ROTT win on the bounce.
Owen Turner and Mark Appleton, both legends in their own rights, no further explanation needed here.
Dan and Nick Darkin, winners of the Dansport and its their local rally, so they will be in the mix for sure after having to retire in 2023.
Mick Valentine and Pete Johnson, Mick with his F1 design and attention to detail is always quick on the tests and after 2023, a pair worthy of a decent result if they can keep away from the fences and gates!
John King and Oli ‘Hotshot’ Waldock, the only question is will the car be ready after their head gasket failure on ROTT? Oli meanwhile is an event winner in the making, even though he is still in short trousers.
Matt Fowle and Ryan Pickering, Matt is another driver with a lot of experience from the stages and Mr P had an impressive winning streak earlier in the year and he will be looking to secure the 2024 HRCR Nav Championship with a good result.
Leigh Powley and Brian Goff, not been seen much this year. But Leigh is as mad as a box of frogs as much as Brian is level headed. So between the two of them they make a great team.
Bevan Blacker and Sam Spencer, last years winners. Bevan is very quick in the former John Ruddock car and Sam has plenty of experience on the maps.
Jason and Daniel Stone, wild card entry. Haven’t been on the scene much for the last couple of years, but you can be sure they will be quick on the tests.
Ian Crammond and Matthew Vokes, One of the most experienced and long lasting partnerships in the series, rarely make mistakes and will be ready to pick up the pieces should other crews falter. Ian will be out to try and take the 2024 HRCR Drivers Championship and Matthew will be trying to spoil Ryan’s day!
John Haygarth and Martyn Taylor. John is also in the hunt for the HRCR championship, but only a win will do to achieve this following the ball joint failure on the Dansport.
Leigh Powley is back out with Brian Goff this year after his excellent 2nd place with Elise Whyte in 2024. Toyota Corolla. Photo by Phil Bramhill.
Moving onto the expert crews we have;
David Alcock and Baz Green. Squeak, master mechanic of HERO and Baz Clerk on the Three Castles are in the vivid Datsun, and would be my wild card for this event.
Paul and Sandra Heaney. Ever growing in experience and confidence over the last few years, are starting to find themselves.
Dick Appleton and R Hands. Possible dark pair with Dicks vast wealth of experience to draw on.
Tim Sawyer and Suzanne Barker. Not a pair to be underestimated, assuming enough cake can be found to feed the navigator.
Mike Tanswell and Bernard Northmore. Mike making a welcome come back after some ill health, he will be no doubt champing at the bit.
Dave Alcock and Baz Green (Datsun 280Z) 12th in 2023, is Martyn Taylor’s wild card for this event. Photo By Phill Bramhill.
Last but not least we have the Novices;
Chris and Gethin Philips, its all starting to come together for these guys as long as they can avoid the solid bits on the tests.
Martin Leonard and Jason Murphy, gaining in confidence despite the drowning of the Jetta on the Tour of Cheshire.
Martyn Craske and Simon Howlett have performed steadily during the season and will want to end the season on a high after a disappointing Dansport Historic.
Now I have tried to get by head round all the permutations for the championship and its various classes, but I think it’s a simple case of go flat out and we can sort out that detail later! So if you are looking for a flutter or a dead cert for a bet, I cant provide it. But you can be sure that this end of season thrash will be epic….
All photos by kind permission of Phill Bramhill.