Northern Stage Rally Championship

Bulletin 7 – August 2007

The Pendragon Stages last weekend was as popular as ever. Based at Penrith Truckstop with Tarmacadam stages at Lowther Park and on the Warcop military ranges it attracted 20 contenders.

The event saw a number of retirements. My first outing of the year proved rather short lived and I think we were the first when the gearbox gave up the ghost on stage 1 (although we did manage to tootle round stage 2 before deciding it was rather pointless!). As we packed up mid morning I didn't get chance to see many of you - I hope none of you suffered lasting or too expensive damage.

Top score on the event went to Kev Monaghan with 110 points for second in the 1600cc class in his Pirtek backed Corsa. Next up were Tracey Louise Muir & Garry Muir (Citroen AX), 5th in the upto 1400cc class in their first championship appearance of the year, followed by  Brett Mitton (Escort Mk 2), 92 points for 7th in the 2-litre class.

Brett's result was enough to put him top of the overall driver's Championship with 406 points, ahead of Alistair Hutchinson (381) and John Deegan (363), both of whom retired on the event. St John Dykes (460) maintains a healthy 97 point lead in the overall Navigator's Championship from Chris Smith (363) and Gordon Blyth (331). With two Tarmacadam events remaining the Tarmacadam Challenge is starting to be very interesting. Brett (406) leads from Alistair (381) and Garry Salmon (350).  St John (381) leads from Steven Dargan (330) and Chris Smith (248) in the Navigator's standings. The forthcoming Lindisfarne Rally will be critical for many crews as there are several close class battles - the 1600cc class will I'm sure be closest fought amongst the Tynemouth MC crews! 

Next Events

EW Motor Services Lindisfarne Rally, Sunday 9th September. www.tynemouthmotorclub.co.uk
The event is held over 110 miles of Tarmacadam stages on the Otterburn military ranges in Northumberland with a slow speed recce on Saturday. Event contact is Janet Wake, 0191 2845604.

Thor Hammer Stages, Sunday 16th September www.delacymc.co.uk
You should have regs already for this multiuse event at Driffield. The event offers 60 miles of mixed surface stages for £170. Entries Secretary is John Higgins, 01757 289068

Trackrod Clubman's Trophy Rally, Saturday 6th October www.rallyyorkshire.co.uk
The next forest round of the Championship is based at Pickering Showground and offers 53 stage miles for £420. Entries Secretary is Chris Sanderson, 01937 587508.

Tunnocks Tour of Mull , 12-14 October. www.2300club.org
If you haven't submitted your entry by now you're too late! The event is, as always, oversubscribed. Good luck if you've got an entry in and are waiting to hear if you have a run.

Gearbox cogs permitting, Tim and I will be back out on the Lindisfarne so I hope to see some of you there. 

Mike