Northern Stage Rally Championship

Bulletin 12 – September 2006

The strangest things happen in rallying but few things are stranger than the fact the latest round of the Championship, the Lindisfarne rally, ran in hot sunshine! You are usually more likely to see polar bears wandering around Otterburn or Noah passing in his ark than you are to need sun tan cream and your shades! It was the first time I’d been to the ranges since the roads were resurfaced last year and it has made a big change. The old roads were narrow and bumpy but much of that has now gone, replaced by wider, smoother roads. It’s certainly fast!

Taking advantage of the good weather with me were another 10 contenders. Our runaway Championship leaders, Chris Platt & Mick Robinson, took their Tigra to the ranges for the first time and despite being new to the venue and suffering a few problems they still managed to come away (not for the first time this year!) with the highest score (99) after taking 8^th in the massive 1600cc class, boosted to 38 starters by a large contingent of Peugeots taking part in the 205 Challenge. I left with 94 points after a day shaking the cobwebs away with both me and my driver being out for some pre-Mull testing. We got faster throughout the day and the rattling engine held out to allow us to finish 9^th overall and 7^th in class. Other finishers were Gary Johnson / Phil Bond in the Proton and Stuart Wilson / Chris Purvis in their Nova. There were retirements for Gary Salmon / Steve Dargan and Martin Farrar / Andy Ward. It was great to see Andy marshalling at the afternoon stage arrival control after his retirement, despite it being a 140 mile trip home!

So with three forest rounds and a tarmacadam / multi-use event remaining Chris & Mick extend their lead to over 250 points and look increasing like Champions. It’s not completely certain though as mathematically there still are others that could beat them. Stuart Wilson moves up to second in the drivers Championship ahead of Keith Turner. Steve Ward retains second place in the Navigators with Chris Purvis in third. With one round of the Tarmacadam  Challenge remaining things are a lot closer. Chris & Mick lead by 14 points from Steve Crowther / David Batley with Stuart / Chris a further 19 behind. Remember though, the overall Championship winners can’t also take award in the Challenges so this opens it up even more IF Chris & Mick do take the overall honours!

 Next Events – regs are now out for all the remaining even ts

Trackrod Clubman’s Forest Rally, 7^th October – www.rallyyorkshire.co.uk

Please note that this rally runs on Saturday 7^th, not Sunday 8^th as indicated in the Championship regs.

TO SCORE POINTS YOU MUST ENTER THE CLUBMAN’S TROPHY EVENT. This offers 54 miles of stages in Langdale, Dalby, Cropton & Gale Rigg with the Pickering Showground stage for good measure. Entry fee is £375. Contact is Chris Sanderson, 01937 587508

 Adrian Barker Memorial Trophy Stages, 22^nd October – www.eromc.co.uk

There were some delays in getting regs out but you should all now have them. If not they are on the website or you should phone Julie Kelly on 01260 271125. You may notice that in the regs the ANCC is not an invited Association. I’ve raised this with the organisers and it was an oversight that will be corrected in the finals so you do not need to join another club. The event is the final round of the Tarmacadam & Multi-Use Challenges and is held at Desborough Airfield, Wilbarston in Northamptonshire. Approx. 60 miles are on offer for £190.

 Malton Forest Rally, 5^th November  - www.maltonmc.co.uk

Regs should be with you any day for this event that is new to the Championship. Event contact is Linda Harper, 01904 760050. Based at the Northern Events Arena in Pickering there will be two loops of stages in Cropton & Gale Rigg Forests and with stages at Pickering Showground. 40 stage miles for £330.

 Coppermines Grizedale Stages Rally, 12^th November – www.grizedalestages.co.uk

Based in Coniston the final round of the Championship offers 42 stage miles for £350 with Central Servicing. There is a 12 noon start with the last 2 stages in darkness – a real sting in the tail for the Championship! Event Contact is Sarah Moore,  01946 758189

 Miscellaneous

I’m starting to pull together next year’s Calendar, so if you have any views or suggestions on what you would like to see please get in touch quickly! There may be no update after the Trackrod but if I get chance I’ll at least try and get something on the website and out by e-mail.

 Mike