The Turbo Dynamics sponsored, opening round of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship didn’t get off to a great start on Friday night.
Before the first stage of the famed, Rallye Sunseeker had even begun, a member of the public collapsed and another spectator fell from a wall, suffering from a suspected broken leg!
The event’s medical team and ambulances were quickly on the scene, but there was a consequential delay in the event kicking off.
Rallye Sunseeker Press Officer, Andrew Haill commented, “The presence of the rally and its associated specialist teams meant that both incidents were dealt with very quickly and with an absolute minimum of disruption.
“The organisers were pleased to have been able to play their part in the swift and efficient rescues and wish the two patients speedy recoveries.”
Following the unfortunate incidents though, the stages kicked off as planned with a demonstration from the iconic, MG Metro 6R4s. The 85 gathered rally teams then set off, driving through Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens to Pier Approach, before taking the under-cliff road to Boscombe.
Rallye Sunseeker sponsors, Turbo Dynamics had two girls, Hayley and Nicky present at the event who were clad in tight blue and white Turbo Dynamics clothing. The pair, who saw out the cold evening by bouncing on bungee trampolines in front of a gathered audience, won the hearts of many a competitor and spectator.
Meanwhile, Steve Fleck and George Thaw led the cars on Friday night, securing the best time of 2 mins, 55.9 secs in a Subaru Impreza. Scottish teenager, David Bogie and his co-driver, Kevin Rae achieved the second best time of 2 mins, 57.3 secs in a Mitsubishi Lancer.
Irish, Sean Devine and Damien Duffin, also driving a Subaru Impreza came in first out of the Irish teams with a time of 2 mins, 57.5 secs, putting them in third place on Friday night.
Five-time Rallye Sunseeker winner, Marcus Dodd and co-driver, Andrew Bargery were left behind however, only achieving seventh place after Dodd’s Hyundai Accent WRC suffered clutch problems.
After an overnight clutch and gearbox change though, Dodd returned, raring to go for Saturday’s event. The rally team then quickly proved that they were back on form by opening-up a whopping 10 second gap over Wydean Forest Rally winner, Andy Burton and his co-driver, Shelley Rogerson after just five stages into Saturday’s event. The impressive lead was achieved with a time of 19 mins, 45.6 secs.
The most popular of Saturday’s stages was Turbo Dynamics sponsored, Somerley Park, which played home to the Motorfair and a turbocharged vehicle display held by Turbo Dynamics.
Record-breaking, Michael Begley was present at the Turbo Dynamics display this year, with his 1300 BHP Nissan Skyline. The car, which proved a big draw for motorsport fans, is powered by Turbo Dynamics supplied and fully blueprinted, twin hybrid GT3542 units.
Begley’s car is expected to be the first Nissan Skyline in Europe, to break into the 7 second ¼ mile bracket later on this year.
Also present at Somerley Park were Hampshire’s Fire & Rescue Service’s vehicle extrication team who performed two award-winning demonstrations.
On Saturday evening, at the end of a well-fought 62 miles of special stages, Dodd, with the help of Bargery, secured first place for the sixth time in his career. The pair achieved an impressive 43 second lead over runners up, Burton and Rogerson who were driving a hybrid Peugeot Cosworth.
Overall third place was awarded to Irish, Stephen Moore and Tony McHugh who sped along in their Ford Focus WRC.
Turbo Dynamics sponsored team, Hants Fire & Rescue Rally Team (HFRRT) were also winners on the night, ironically securing the Highest Placed Novice Crew award, which was also sponsored by the leading turbocharging specialists!
Retained Firefighter and HFRRT driver Mark Daniels said of his win, “The Highest Placed Novice Crew Award is very prestigious. I’ve been aiming to win it for three years and I’ve finally got it! Third time lucky! I’m delighted to now be in the same league as the other big name winners.
“The team have also entered the Association of South West Motor Clubs (ASWMC) and this win puts us at the top of the leader board. We can now go into the next round with the maximum amount of points available. I’m chuffed to bits and I can’t thank Turbo Dynamics enough! They’ve really put us out there.”
Daniels was also supported this year by newly appointed Navigator, Hollie Sarah Roberton who is daughter to 1988 British National Rally Champion, Ian Roberton.
Turbo Dynamics Media Co-ordinator, Natasha Miller said of the sponsorship, “We were delighted to be approached for sponsorship this year and to be able to help the team continue visiting schools, attending events and competing in races across the country, in order to increase road safety awareness.”
Rallye Sunseeker was also the first round of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, which saw Bogie and Rae finish first place.
