Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship
Report, round eight: Trackrod Historic Cup
The fast and dusty stages of Yorkshire played host to the eighth and final round of the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship, the Trackrod Historic Cup (26 September).
Another category one victory for Dessie Nutt and Geraldine McBride (Porsche 911) confirmed them as overall BHRC champions, while victory in category three was a superb result for Julian Reynolds and Ian Oakey, who set a fearsome pace in their Escort Mk2.
In category two, the non-registered Stefaan Stouf and Joris Erard led the field, while maximum points for David Stokes and Guy Weaver confirmed them as category champions. Meanwhile, Darren Moon and Chris Parsons topped a fine season in their Escort Mk2 by securing the category three crown.Category 1With championship points as the main target, Nutt/McBride took a measured approach to the rally but started with a moderate push on the opening 16-mile stage in Dalby. However, they were still quickest and took a lead that would carry them through to the finish despite a very cautious run through the concluding 14 miles of Langdale.
"We had a bit of a try in Dalby and got a lead," reported Nutt. "After that it was a case of holding the lead. The can ran perfectly."
Although the tough stages thinned out the category one field somewhat, Nutt could never afford to relax too much as Paul Mankin and Desmond Bell kept up a spirited pursuit in their Lotus Cortina and were quickest category one car through Langdale. "Third time lucky," said Mankin after failing to finish the two previous Trackrods. "We went off twice in Dalby, but it was okay after that," reported Mankin.
Terry Cree and Richard Shores were third in the category and won class B2 in their Mini Cooper S despite finding a big hole in Langdale and bending the steering. Geoff Taylor and Steve Greenhill took their Sunbeam Imp Sport to B1 spoils as a water pipe problem sidelined the Sunbeam Stiletto of Mike Barratt and Jody Watson, while the Saab 96 of Nick Pinkett and Jonathan Lodge took B3 honours.Category 2Stokes and Weaver could only go for maximum points in category two and hope that Nutt faltered in the contest for the overall BHRC title. But with the Porsche running strongly, Stokes and Weaver were left to claim the category two crown after another strong rally.
However, ahead of them were non-registered Stouf and Erard after a tremendous run. "It's a great result; the last stage was awesome," said Stouf after his best ever result on gravel.
"It didn't matter about Stefaan for the championship," said Stokes. "We had a wrong slot in Cropton that cost us 10s and I wasn't going to risk going off chasing him."
Third in category two came Rupert Lomax and David Alcock in their Escort Mk1, although they dropped some time with ignition dramas and were relieved to get to the finish, still within half a minute of Stouf.
A tremendous fourth in category two and winners of C3 were Russell Morgan and Martin Kenyon in their Escort Mk1. On their first rally since retiring from the Bulldog, Morgan admitted to a steady start in Dalby, but he soon upped his pace to take control of the class. "We lost time in Dalby, but after that it went well," said Morgan, who has spent the summer concentrating on the racing career of son Adam.Fastest in C3 through Dalby was a mighty performance from James Slaughter and Phil Peak. Unfortunately, their bid for second in C3 was ruined when a big bump in Langdale threw their Escort into a ditch, and more than two minutes were lost getting going again. Instead, Ken Forster and John Stanger-Leathes took second from Andrew Siddall and Captain Thompson.
Another fine run from Vincent Bristow claimed class C2 in his Ford Escort Mk1, this time with Tim Sayer in the co-driver's seat. They battled all through Dalby with a stuck throttle and wore the brakes out in the process, but still took the class and ninth overall in category two.Category 3Right from the start of 16 miles in Dalby, the pace in category three was fierce and it was Reynolds and Oakey to the fore in their Escort Mk2. Too often this season their pace has gone unrewarded, but this time it all held together for a superb victory. The fact that they won away from Wales made it all the sweeter, although the loss of first gear made things tougher. "It was a problem out of the chicanes and slow corners," admitted Reynolds after a great drive.
The non-registered crew of Martin McCormack and Jim Goodman took second, while Nick Elliott and Dave Price retired their Escort Mk2 after the first stage. They got through Dalby, but thumped the bank on the last corner and damaged the steering. "On the next road section when I braked hard it spun the wheel out of my hands, so there was no point in carrying on," explained Elliott.
Into third came Darren Moon and Chris Parsons in their Escort Mk2 after some brake dramas, while the top five featured two non-Escorts as Steve Magson/Geoff Atkinson (Opel Ascona 400) and Rob Smith/Shaun O'Gorman (Vauxhall Chevette) both had excellent runs to show the potential of their cars.
Richard Lane and Frank Richer bagged class D3 again in their Escort Mk2, finishing 1m20s clear of Stephen Richards and Ian Withecombe as Devon-based Richards sampled the Yorkshire stages for the first time. Wayne Bonser and Richard Aston took their Escort Mk2 to third while Chris Shooter and Bev LeGood parked their Escort for the second event running with cam belt woes.
Jacob Scannell and Nina Thompson were also new to Yorkshire and they bagged D2 spoils ahead of the battling Sunbeams of Ian Coulson/Joe Jones and Pat Anderson/Robert Brook.
