Northern Stage Rally Championship
Welcome to the 2006
Championship!
If
you’re returning having contested the Championship last year you’ll
know what to expect (although I do promise to try and get results out a
bit quicker!). For those of you that are new (and the balance is about
half and half) then I try and put out these newsletters and interim
results after each round. Sometimes it’s not possible due to work,
holidays or events being slow to provide results but I try! It’s
certainly quicker and a lot easier if you take the results by email as
it saves on the printing and collating, so let me know if you can use
e-mail but did not indicate this on the registration form. You will also
start to get regs sent automatically from event organisers but if you
don’t have them for the next few events contact the event directly –
see contacts below. I hope to see you at a few events during the year
although I don’t get to many unfortunately. I did get to Croft for an
hour or so on Sunday so I managed to say hello to some of you – I know
I still missed quite a few of you – nothing personal, just cold kids!
Talking of Croft, what an excellent start to the Championship we
had with
Darlington
’s Jack Frost Stages on Sunday. I thought we did well last year but
the number of contenders starting the event set a new Championship
record with 54 contenders starting, compared to 43 last year. Let’s
hope the popularity reaches the heady hights of last year. It’s
certainly a good start, not just in quantity but alos quality, as you
nearly managed to walk off with all the trophies too – 11 of the 17
given out in fact - well done! – A great start to the season for many.
There was second overall for Chris Wise & Tracey Taylor-West in
their impressive 6R4 (the noise they make still makes the hairs on my
neck prickle!) and class wins for Steve Crowther / David Batley, Chris
Platt / “Mad” Mick Robinson and Richard Wormald / Jamie Forrest.
With the points structure we use it’s Chris and Mick that take the
initial lead by one point. For theose new to the championship, Steve and
David won the Tarmacadam Challenge last year and Richard was the overall
Champion in 2004 so it looks like they’re back with a vengeance for
you all to chase.
I
would welcome any feedback on the events or the Championship as a whole
– please let me know your thoughts throughout the year. If you are
wanting to do a particular event but need a driver / navigator then
please let me know as the bulletins are circulated far and wide around
the Association clubs. In fact I’ve already had a request – Dom
Mernock is looking for a navigator for the Riponian and other forest
rounds. Experience of forests is preferred. Let me know if you are
interested or know anyone who can fit the bill and I’ll put you in
touch with Dom. Don’t be put off that it’s a car I’ve navigated in
several times – I don’t think I left any embarrassing stains!
Next Events
Riponian Stages,
Sunday 5th February – www.riponmotorsportsclub.co.uk
The first forest
event of the year is based at
Lightwater
valley
Theme Park
, just outside Ripon. There will be stages at the park at the start and
end of the day with the other stages in the North Yorkshire Forests of
Boltby, Wass, Riccal Dale etc. Servicing is at
Duncombe
Park
. Event Contact is
Lynsey Walsh
,
01845
525985.
NW Stages,
Saturday 25th / Sunday 26th February – www.nwstages.co.uk
This event is
already oversubscribed with 90 entries taken. The remaining 20 are at
the organiser’s discretion so phone Ann McCormack on 01928 710546 without delay to see if
there’s any chance of a run. Please mention you are registered for the
Championship. The event is based
at Pontins in Blackpool with 100 tarmac stages at Weeton,
Clifton
, Pontins,
Blackpool
prom and a new to rallying venue.
Robin Hood
Stages, Sunday 5th March, www.robinhoodforeststages.co.uk
Offering 42 stages
miles in the Nottinghamshire Forests, Lindholme MC’s event is based at
the Clumber Park Hotel. Event contact is Meredith Combs, 01302 880730.
Miscellaneous
Each
year there are always questions about the scoring – it’s worked well
in previous years and gives no class an advantage. The system is
explained in the regs but please ask me if you don’t understand the
system – you won’t be alone!
Check
out the latest news and gossip on www.britishrally.co.uk
forum – there’s usually a good few contenders posting views and news
on the events.
Have
fun on the Riponian.
Mike
|
