Northern Stage Rally Championship

Bulletin 10 – August 2006

Just a quick update between events.

The latest round was a new event to the Championship – Sheffield & Hallamshire MC’s Centenary Stages at Twyford Wood. The overall number of entries (53) and the number of contenders taking part (14) were both disappointing. I can’t understand why some events are well oversubscribed whilst others run half full – if you have any comments on why please let me know. If there is some reason the Centenary Stages did not appeal I need to know so get in touch.

 Once again, top points scorers on the event were Chris Platt & Mick Robinson who not only won the 1600cc class but took a remarkable 4^th overall. They are certainly having a cracking year with pace and reliability and it’s looking as though it’s going to be a tough job for anyone to catch them in the overall Championship if they keep this sort of form up and finish eight events. One thing is now for sure they will be picking up some awards at the end of the year, as they are now unbeatable in the Multi-Use Challenge. The way the awards work though, if Chris & Mick do win the overall Championship they will not collect the multi-use awards so there are still 6 drivers and 7 navigators that can finish in second spot but collect the M-U awards, so there should still be plenty of interest on the final multi-use round

             Other notable scores on the Centenary were 2^nd in the “big” class and 3^rd overall for Dave Campling / James Ducker and second in the 1600cc class for James Orton & Roy Hadfield.

             Chris & Mick therefore extend their lead in the overall championship to 140 points from Keith Turner & Steve Ward. Dave Craven maintains third in the Driver’s Championship and Matthew Whattam moves into third in the Navigator’s Championship despite a retirement at Twyford.

  Forest Rounds

 Finally I have managed to re-jig the Forest rounds. The cancelled Hamsterley event will be replaced with Malton’s forest Rally on 5^th November. I realise this means the final two rounds are on consecutive weekends with Grizedale running on the 11^th but I’m afraid options were limited. So here’s the remaining forest dates

Next Events

 Pendragon Stages, 27^th August, – www.pendragonstages.co.uk

Looks like a full entry already for this tarmac multi-use event based in Penrith. 68 tarmac miles at Warcop & Lowther. Event contact is Keith Baglee,  01768 864136

 Lindisfarne Rally, 10^th September -  www.tynemouthmotorclub.co.uk

You should have regs already and over half the entries have already been taken. The event runs on the Otterburn Military Ranges in Northumberland and offers 110 competitive miles covering 11 special stages, including the infamous “Althewayroond” stage covering a mega 21.7miles.

Event contact is Janet Wake, 0191 2845604

 See you at the Pendragon – I’m out with Richard Wormald in his Astra.

Mike