Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally ChampionshipOn his first rally since winning the 2003 event, Richard Tuthill, partnered by Nick Kennedy, stormed to victory in the ninth and final round of the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship.
Their Porsche 911 finished the Bulldog Historic Rally (Saturday 23 October) over two minutes clear of the rest of the field after a soaking wet day in the Welsh forests. To complete a fine day for the Tuthill team, Stuart Rolt/Richard Pomfret claimed a superb victory in the historic category.Historic (category 1)Already crowned as overall BHRC champions, Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride went into the Bulldog aiming to make it nine wins from nine events in category 1. However, running second on the road were Rolt and Pomfret having swapped Porsches with Francis Tuthill for the day. "Stuart's been curious about the 2-litre car," explained Tuthill senior.
Despite being unfamiliar with the car, Rolt was quickly on the pace as crews tackled the waterlogged stages. Just fastest on the short Sweet Lamb stage, Rolt upped his pace on the longer stages that followed and had built his lead to more than half a minute as crews emerged from the final stage in Dyfnant."It's very different," said Rolt of the older Porsche, having scored his first rally win on gravel. "The car is incredibly stable. I'm very satisfied but quite surprised!" Nutt was one of the first to congratulate his rival, having ended the day a clear second in the historic category.
A fine third and winners of class B4 were Neil Calvert/Arlene Cookson in their Lotus Cortina. "We've had a cracking day; the muddier the better," said Calvert after fending off the challenge of Chris and Hilary Green by almost a minute. The Greens had windscreen wiper dramas less than a mile into the rally when the ford in Sweet Lamb caused havoc. They managed to get one wiper working for the rest of the day! "Neil has been fantastic today," acknowledged Chris Green of his rival.Despite a monster spin through a big puddle on the top of Gartheiniog, Jonathan and Graham Gale flew their Cortina GT to class B3 spoils, finishing well clear of Ronnie Roughead, who had his son Andrew calling the notes.
Mike Barratt/Michelle Calvert had their Mini Cooper fail to start before the Dyfi stage and so class B2 fell to the similar car of BHRC newcomers Matthew and Derek Pearce, while John Parker/Robert Harrison again took class B1 in their Saab 96.Post-historic (category 2)Tuthill's storming pace took him to a commanding post-historic victory but it nearly all went wrong in Dyfi. "We just carried too much speed into a corner and hit the bank. It flipped up onto its side, but we were incredibly lucky," he related. Otherwise, it was a trouble free run and his speed and commitment drew widespread praise.A clear second in the post-historics should have been David Stokes/Den Golding (Escort Mk1) after a typically strong performance. However, a time card error at the final control left them technically OTL despite booking in at the correct time. It was a bitter blow after a tremendous drive and a most unfortunate end to their BHRC season. Second in the post-historics and winners of class C3 were Steve Smith/John Nichols (Escort RS2000). "I love the stages up here and we set our own pace," explained Smith of their rally. That pace was enough to fend of the challenge of James and David Young, who finished a fine fourth in their RS2000.Putting their 1600cc Escort from class C2 up amongst the more powerful cars netted fifth overall for Dave Dyer/Graham Wride. "It went really, really well," said Dyer. "I love these conditions!"Chris Browne/Liz Jordan completed the top six in their Escort, but out of luck were Dominic Frattaroli/Wyn Thomas after putting the Datsun 240Z well off the road in Dyfi after posting some leading times over the opening stages.
Also out of luck with punctures were Ray Bellm/Andrew Bargery and Graham Samuel/Tony Phillips, both losing potentially good results while changing wheels on their Escorts.
