Woodpecker Stages & Rally Omloop van Vlaanderen Reports

The 2022 Woodpecker Stages was held on a surprisingly balmy early September day with little in the way of rain which had been promised. Nine West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters registered drivers and seven registered co-drivers made an appearance at Ludlow Racecourse on the day and were in for a treat on forest roads that were in prime condition. The stages were in the ever popular Haye Park and Radnor forest so there were a good few road miles to cover as well.

As seems to be the norm this year, Jonathan Brace and Paul Spooner were the class of the contenders and claimed yet another perfect set of points. Their Dave Jenkins tended Ford Escort RS1600 ran faultlessly, the only hiccup coming at the end of stage three when they encountered an overturned Nova at the flying finish! More of that flying finish in a minute but it should be mentioned that James Lepley was not too far behind Brace at the finish in his Warrior powered Escort and some more miles and more BHP will see this lad becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Mike Simpson and Dale Gibbons were trying to get experience on their ex-Brace Escort RS1800 but the experience they had was not what they wanted. The afore mentioned flying finish at the end of stage three almost claimed them for good but Mike saved the situation to get away with a dented spoiler and pride. Unfortunately they will now miss the Three Shires Rally as the Mk1 Escort still has an engine issue following the Mewla and the Mk2 doesn’t have a suitable differential or suspension available.

Andy Stokes is always happy and it’s a pleasure to see his smiling face. He likes to be competitive but fun is the important thing and he took James Hedges for a ride with him, as he did last year for the Woodpecker. They had a steady day in the family Ford Escort RS1600 and bagged another useful haul of points.

The ‘pinto club’ was likely to be lively but Neal James and Kevin Jones were 35 seconds behind David Lloyd Roberts and Gerallt Davies after three special stages. That was a large gap to close but Lloyd Roberts will be kicking himself after an altercation with a log pile on stage four. The car would go no further but thankfully is repairable and will fight another day. It does however leave James with a cushion and it might be down to the Wyedean to decide the result unless either crew travels to the Isle of Man for the Chris Kelly Memorial Rally.

Tony Jardine put in another polished performance in the venerable Avenger, this time ably co-driven by Emily Anderson who felt ‘safe’ for a change with a roof over her head, a pleasant change from navigating her father in an open top Bentley!

Peter Lythell and Gill Cotton wheeled out their lovely Porsche 911, Peter belying his lack of gravel time lately, it’s 15 years since his last forest rally, and settled seamlessly into the stages. We will see them again soon too, they have an entry in for the Three Shires Rally.

The name Bill Douglas has cropped up at various times over the years and this time he was out with Dave Barratt in a big Volvo 360 GLT. It had been repaired after a coming together with a tree in Weston Park and Bill even complained of having to pass another car on the first loop of stages. They finished too without any contact with the trees in what must have been the most comfortable car on the stages. Bill has been a long time supporter of HRCR events and will receive the Mr Tyre Motorsport tyre voucher for this event.

Next up is the Three Shires where listed crews are Andy Stokes & Johnny ‘Tad’ Evans, Graham Muter & Mark Mason, Toby Adam & Ian Meakin, Peter Lythell & Gill Cotton, Stuart Anderson & Kenny Owen, Grant Shand & Ginny Shand.

Rally Omloop van Vlaanderen

Just two cars from the UK travelled out to Flanders for this event running alongside the Mini Cup, Rikki Proffitt and Graham Wild fielded their red Porsche 911 and Paul Kendrick wheeled out his Ford Escort RS1600 after a long rebuild. Paul employed a local co-driver and had a steady run to seventh historic home while Rikki and Graham went a few better to be third historic.

Neither crew suffered any particular issues and all seemed to be well until Rikki went for a post event meal and suffered a heart attack. Luckily he was rapidly taken into hospital and within a very short time had been fitted with a stent and feeling much better.

Rikki would like to pass on his sincere thanks to everyone who has sent messages wishing him well and emphasised how well he had been looked after in the Belgian hospital

Photo credit Mark Griffin and Colin Matthews