Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship News round-up after event five: Isle of Man Historic RallyWelcome to the latest issue for 2007 of the post-event news and gossip update for the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship.Once again the Isle of Man Historic Rally was a fabulous event, which was a real challenge for all those who made the trip. Just getting to the finish was a big achievement and the historic crews were a very popular element of the rally.NewsComparing the stage times of the historics with the cars in the British Rally Championship made for interesting reading. The leading historics were regularly setting times that would have put them inside the top 20 of the modern event, well up among the latest Group N cars. Star performance came from Richard Tuthill on the 14-mile Round Table stage on Saturday. His time in the Porsche would have put him a remarkable 10th fastest in the modern event.James Sutherland rallied his Porsche 911 on the Isle of Man, using the car in an historic event for the first time since the Killarney Historic Rally last December. With BHRC contender Jason Lepley not doing the event, his regular co-driver Howard Pridmore was able to partner Sutherland as they finished just outside the top 10. It was his first Manx outing since 1989.Among many notable performances was that of Peter Lythell and Gill Cotton who took their Porsche 911 to ninth overall after a great run. "One or two moments of over-exuberance," reported Peter. "I did feel I was much closer to the times of the normal top contenders," he said. "We had a great battle with James Sutherland and Dick Slaughter throughout the rally." Lythell sealed ninth by being second fastest to Martin Freestone on the final 12-mile Brandywell Classic stage.Following a foot operation, BHRC co-driver Preston Ayres was present on the island, albeit on crutches. There were reports of him waving his crutches at crews in encouragement! He plans to retake his regular seat alongside Craig Salter on the Tour of Flanders. Graham Wride stepped in to co-drive Salter’s Ford Escort Mk1 at the weekend as they took 12th overall.Martin Freestone had one of his best BHRC results for some time when he finished fourth overall. “I’ve been rallying here since 1972,” said the sometime Manx resident. Cars carrying support for The Gambia, arranged by Freestone, finished second, third, fourth and fifth on the historic rally. Martin's pace on Castletown was helped by the fact that his two grandchildren are at school at each end of the stage, so he's driven the stage quite a few times.Jonathan and Graham Gale had an eventful time in the Messagelabs Lotus Cortina, but we're rewarded with a class win and second to Dessie Nutt in category one. "We robbed parts from everyone, including Ken Forster and Philip Atkinson," said Jonathan after brake and diff problems. They lost virtually all the brakes on Friday morning, XS Racing changed the diff in 12 minutes and they had to borrow oil from Paul Drinkall at a stage start to keep them running. "It’s always an incredible event."Geoff Stewart returned to the Isle of Man for the first time since 2000 to enter his Porsche 911. “I first came here in 1979 in a Mazda RX7,” said Stewart, who was using the same tyres he used seven years ago. Unfortunately, a dropped valve and minor engine fire signalled the end of his rally.Roger Kilty had his first experience of asphalt rallying on the Isle of Man in his Vauxhall Chevette HSR. Kilty, who also races a Formula 3000 single-seater, had previously tackled six gravel rallies and co-drive on the island twice in the 1970s. He went out with broken suspension on day two but rejoined for the trophy rally on Saturday.Irish veteran Derek Boyd had only his fourth rally in 15 years when he drove Adrian Kermode’s Porsche 911 to eighth place on the Isle of Man Historic Rally. “The last time I drove a Porsche was in 1977, but it’s like riding a bicycle,” said Boyd, winner of the Ulster Rally 30 years ago and now a Manx resident.Maurice Beckett, co-driving for Adrian Kermode on the Isle of Man Historic Rally, got a great reaction from the assembled crowd when he emerged from the final junction of the rally in front of the TT Grandstands reading Motorsport News instead of the pace notes. As a resident of Douglas, Kermode didn’t need too much information for the final stage and they made the front page of MN as a result.Welsh crew Geraint Thomas and James Morgan nearly didn’t start after their Porsche 911 had a brake caliper seize on the way to the start of the opening stage. However, after some quick work the caliper was freed. They later retired with gearbox problems.To celebrate a class win after their dramas on the Severn Valley, Ken Forster and John Stanger-Leathes arrived on the finish ramp supping cans of Newcastle Brown and with John puffing on his pipe.Phil and Barbara Smith successfully finished their first asphalt event in their Porsche 911, despite spending much of Friday without first gear. But Francis Tuthill got a new gear flown out and the team worked until midnight to fix the problem.Philip Atkinson finally retired in the twisty Glen Roy stage on Saturday afternoon, losing out on B4 victory in his Lotus Cortina. After a change of gearbox on Friday night, more problems struck on Saturday and he went into the final leg of stages with only third gear. The advice from team guru Jeff Williamson was to get up a good head of steam at the bottom of Glen Roy to have a chance of getting up the steep hairpins that follow. "I threw it into the six right to get it up the hill and it went straight into the bank," reported Philip.Quotes of the weekend"I used to watch Ari Vatanen doing the Manx." Mark Clifford relishes the event."The doors close, so it's OK." Ken Forster gives his rebuilt Escort the all clear."It's my first time here since the 1970s and I don't seem to remember any of it." Roger Kilty after the recce."It still had the Somerset mud on it." Matt Pearce used his Mini for the first time since Somerset in October 2005."Alright for a slow old man who prefers gravel!" Dick Slaughter at the end of Thursday evening, before finishing a fine tenth overall.“I nearly parked it in someone’s garage in Castletown.” Richard Tuthill.“We did the recce on the DVD. I watched it in bed and my wife thinks I’m sad.” Geoff Stewart makes his return to the Isle of Man."Fantastic. It can't get any better." Craig Samuel on his favourite rally."Hot and sweaty tells the story; and that's only Geraldine." Dessie Nutt at the end of Friday's stages amid a big battle with Patrick Watts."The smoking ban doesn’t apply over here," said John Stanger-Leathes firmly after being asked about his in-car pipe smoking.“I hope he hasn’t been driving it like that all day.” Francis Tuthill watches as son Richard finishes the final stage.“I think that’s the door creaking and not the driver.” John Horton greets David Stokes on the finish ramp.“That’s the best time I’ve ever had in my life.” Mark Clifford finishes event after all sorts of dramas."I've been bending cars recently, so it's nice not to on this one." Graham Samuel finishes with his Escort unscathed."We've used two starter motors and the service crew from Canada Garage have been brilliant." Neil Parsons was another driver just pleased to get to the finish.PointsProvisional BHRC overall driver points after round five:1 David Stokes 1502 Dessie Nutt 1423 Jimmy McRae 1134 Paul Mankin 995 Neil Calvert 956 Gareth Lloyd 937 Philip Atkinson 928 Vincent Bristow 909 Terry Cree 8710 Patrick Watts 85etc.Provisional BHRC overall co-driver points after round five:1 Guy Weaver 1502 Geraldine McBride 1423 Andy Richardson 1134 Arlene Cookson 955 Ryland James 926 Simon Coates 917 Richard Shores 878 Dean Mitchell 869 Elgan Davies 8510 John Bennie 81= Barbara Smith 81etc.

PhotographsIf anyone is looking for good quality photos from all five rounds of the BHRC held to date in 2007, take a look at the website of photographer Gary Simpson. He offers high-res images at sensible prices and more details can be found at www.songasport.co.uk