Northern Stage Rally Championship

Bulletin 13 – October 2006

With two events since the last update there are lots of things that have been confirmed – more of that a bit later…..

The Trackrod Clubman’s Trophy Rally saw contenders back in the forests for the first time since the Dukeries in June. Picking up where they had left off, Dave Craven & Ian Jackson took second overall to pick up the highest score on the event (108), ahead of Keith Turner & Steve Ward (102). In all, 20 contenders took part.

 The Adrian Barker Memorial Stages at Wilbarston was a new event to the Championship and was the final round of both the multi-use and tarmacadam challenges. I haven’t heard much feedback so please let me know what you thought or why you did not enter.  In all, 14 contenders took part. There were class wins for Chris Platt / Mick Robinson (110) and Andy Okane / Phil Clowes (108) with Garry Salmon / Steve Dargan picking up 100 points for their efforts after a very long trip down from the north East, second in class.

With all this action I can now confirm that Chris Platt & “Mad” Mick Robinson are our 2006 Champions. With 9 starts, only one retirement and a lowest score of 99 on the eight scores to count Chris and Mick have not only demonstrated great consistency but some very impressive class and overall results on a mixture of events. – Congratulations!

In the tarmacadam Challenge Steve Crowther, despite a rather low score at Wilbarston, has retained the Tarmacadam Challenge trophy with a 22 point margin from Garry Salmon who collects 1^st Class 2 in the Challenge. Other class winners amongst the drivers are Howard Chopping (Class 4), Martin Farrar (Class 3) & Marcus Tinsley (Class 1). Steve Dargan wins the Navigator’s Tarmacadam Challenge with class wins for David Batley (Class 1), Chris Purvis (Class 2), Andy Ward (Class 3) & Jonathan Turnbull (Class 4). In the Multi-Use Challenge , this year’s winners are Steve Adamson & Marcus Blenkinsop in their Subaru Impreza. There are class wins for Steve Crowther / David Batley (Class 1), Stuart Wilson / Chris Purvis (class 2), Richard Wormald & Chris Smith (Class 3) and David Campling / James Ducker (Class 4). Well done to you all. Please note that all these are provisional. If you have any queries about the points or results please contact me immediately.

 With two forest events still to go, the Forest Challenge is wide open. Dave Craven & Ian Jackson lead from Keith Turner & Steve Ward, with Ian and Steve actually tied on 333 points. There are 7 drivers and 9 navigators that can theoretically still win the challenge, then there’s the class positions to sort – so still some competition left!

 Next Events – regs are now out for all the remaining events

 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, 9^th December – www.grizedalestages.co.uk

Please note the rearranged (again) date for this event. Due to a low uptake of entries the organisers have changed dates back to December and have removed the dark stages from their plans. There will be 42 forest miles in Grizedale & Dunnerdale for £350 with Central Servicing. Event Contact is Sarah Moore,  01946 758189

 Miscellaneous

I hope to confirm the 2007 calendar next week. I’m struggling as usual with the mixture of events and dates. Expect a similar format to the last couple of years but with some slight changes. With the relatively low entries on forest events one thing I’m considering is to run only 6 forest rounds. Please let me know immediately if you have any thoughts over this or any other comments relating to next year’s championship. I will be proposing it to the ANCC management committee on Monday 6^th November so please do not delay!

 Good luck if you’re out on the Malton event this weekend.

 Mike