Clive King reports that the penultimate Mini and Cat 1 Cups round had 6 Minis entered, with the championship battle still wide open and could be won by any of four crews.

The Wydean Rally was the only gravel round of this year’s championship, as the first round had been cancelled due to the damage sustained by high winds earlier in the year.

The organizer’s had been asked if they could run the Minis first on the road and they ran all six cars first.

Leading the crews away was Harvey Stevens and Craig Hardiman, not only was this there first forest event but running first car on the road, they were very nervous.

Bob Clark and Jane Edgington, followed by Craig King with Bob Ward, then local hero Eric Davis and Russell Joseph hoping there run of none finishes would end.

Clive King with Anton Bird were next being the first gravel event since Rally GB, 10 years ago, and the first time competing on the Wyedean.

Local crew Ryan Taylor with sister Jemma Taylor were last of the Minis hoping that local knowledge will help set quick times.

With the rain on the week leading up to the rally the stages were expected to be muddy and slippery.

The first stage proved to be very slippery but not as much mud as expected. Quickest went Clive and Anton with a time 16 seconds faster than Ryan and Jemma and Eric in third spot with the rest close behind.

The short second stage Clive and Ryan tied with a 2.37 stage time with Eric on 2.54.

Service was next before a further three stages, two of them second usage.

Clive overshot a slot off a tarmac section onto gravel, then had to reverse to find the correct road, this allowed Ryan to pull 10 seconds back setting quickest time.

Harvey was settling into how the car felt on the lose roads and had the biggest smile for most of the day.

Craig was revelling in the conditions and setting some quick stage times trying to beat Bob and Jane.

Stage 4 was the repeat of stage one and Clive set a time of 11.04 two seconds slower than the first run, but the stage had cut up in places.

Ryan’s time was 11.24 and was also slower than his first run with Eric and Russel closing in behind just in front of Craig and Bob.

The next stage saw Clive and Anton pull another 4 seconds from Ryan.

Clive extended his lead on the next stage as Ryan pulled a tyre off the rim at the end of the stage dropping a few seconds.

After service all that remained were two stages, Ryan had fitted new tyres to help with the times.

Most of crews were looking to get the cars to the finish, but although Clive and Anton had a good lead it could easily change.

Stage six Clive set a time of 6.55, Ryan was on 7.22 with Eric on 7.23, so it was fingers crossed everything stayed together for the final stage.

The last stage Clive and Anton did 8.46, Eric pulled a few seconds back from the second Mini with 9.28 and Craig next with 9.34.

Harvey managed to have a rear puncture and discovered that it was his rear under floor protection that had cut his new tyre.

All that remained was the run back to the main control.

Clive and Anton finishing 36th O/A and first in H1 class and Ryan and Jemma 43 O/A and second in class

All the Minis finished and most were ready to go round the stages again showing the resilience of the marque and the great forest track conditions.