Its been 3 years since the last White Rose Classic and the crews that competed in 2019 have changed around quite considerably.  Last time Matt Warren and Andy Pullan won the event with John Haygarth and Robert Hargreaves second and father and son Roger and Tom Bricknell in third.

Matt Warren and Andy Pullan White Rose Classic 2019 Overall Winners

However, this time Matt Warren is not out and Andy Pullan is sat alongside John Abel so don’t be surprised to see them amongst the front runners.   John Haygarth has yet to declare a Nav but I am sure we shall see the familiar orange Opel Kadett Rallye produce some seriously competitive times on the tests.  Roger and Tom Bricknell are also not out but the Championship leader Dan Willan is, with his third nav in as many rallies.  This time its Ryan Pickering (or Ryoon Pinkeringus as he likes to be known) but with Paul Crosby out once again with Ali Procter its going to be tight from the start.  Also back out is Jon Dunning with Ian Canavan, Steve Head and Iain Tullie and Stephen Owens and Nick Bloxham, add the Staniforths in to the mix and the top ten is getting a bit tight on space. Not to mention Les Andrew with Martin Phaff, oh and don’t forget Pitt and Steele, in fact we may just offer to Marshal. 

Harvey Steele and Martin Pitt on the 2019 White Rose Classic

Into the Experts and Simon Malins with Suzanne Barker could do well if they maintain their North Yorks form but Kelvin Phipps is back with Phil Barrington Wood and with newcomers Dan and Jason Stone in the seriously quick Escort its going to quite a fight for the honours. 

Novice wise, Jeff Wincott and Anne Tweddle had an excellent result on the NYC so expect them to be up there and Phil Cheek and Chris Rhodes are more than capable of surprising the results table.  Paul and Sandra Heaney are also improving steadily so this could be the rally where it all comes together.

The Organisers have settled on the tried and tested one day format, to traverse the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside.  Approximately 12 tests, the biggest majority new, will test both the driver and the navigator skills. Pat Johnson, test designer and one of the chief organisers commented, ‘I believe that after the enforced layoff, we have come back better and stronger, with some excellent new venues being found. Some new faces on the organising team has also been a great help in all areas, including route design, I for one, are super excited about the event.’

Sounds like its going to be a great rally.

Ken Binstead