Northern Stage Rally Championship

Bulletin 9 – October 2007

With two rounds since the last update and only three events now to run things are becoming sorted in some areas and more interesting in others!

The Trackrod Clubman's Forest Rally attracted 15 contenders. Chris Peart & Gordon Blyth continued their impressive year in the forests taking 102 points for second in the 2-litre class. Dave Craven (95) was next highest placed contender, followed by Amanda & Derek Cornforth (80). Chris & Gordon now have a 106 point lead with two forest rounds still to run but can theoretically still be caught by a number of contenders.

The Tunnocks Tour of Mull , held on the demanding closed public roads of the Isle of Mull attracted 10 contenders. Tim and I had a great run to 10^th overall, 10^th in class to pick up 103 points, ahead of Gareth Frank & Richard Burdon (83), Nick Stamper (77) and Tracey Louise and Garry Muir (67). Unfortunately the long journey North was not kind on some contenders with Matt Tarbutt rolling his Nova spectacularly into the scenery on Saturday afternoon whilst leading class 1 and Malcolm Davey / Paul Slingsby retiring on the first stage after a last minute rush to get the car ready after waiting several months for their new engine to be delivered.

With the Tour of Mull being the last Tarmacadam Challenge round the results look like this (actual positions will of course be dependant on who wins the overall championship as they will then be ineligible for any other awards), the Tarmacadam Challenge winners are Brett Mitton and St John Dykes, class 1 winners are Gareth Frank and Garry Muir, class 2 winners are Kev Monaghan & Steve Dargan, Class 3 winners are Alistair Hutchinson & Chris Smith and class 4 winners are Neil Andrews &  David Atack. Should Brett win overall then Alistair will become the tarmacadam Challenge winner and John Deegan will win the class 3 award. Should St John win the overall Championship then Steven Dargan will take the Tarmacadam Challenge title with Chris Purvis picking up the class 2 award.

Next Events

Malton Forest Rally, Sunday 4th November   www.maltonmc.co.uk

45 stage miles based at Pickering Showground for £380. Event contact is Linda Harper, 01904 760050

Neil Howard Memorial Stages Rally, Sunday 25th November  www.bolton-le-moorscarclub.co.uk

55 mixed surface stage miles at Melbourne, York for £180. Event contact is Ian Perrott, 01204 885537

Grizedale Stages Rally, Saturday 8th December  www.grizedalestages.co.uk

The final round of this year’s Championship is based in Coniston and offers 41 forest stage miles in Grizedale West and Broughton Moor Forests . There is a tiered entry fee system this year set at £325 for 2WD 1600cc or below, £350 for 2WD above 1600cc, £375 for 4WD cars and £400 for WRC cars. Event contact is Andrew Moore, 01946 758189.

Good luck this weekend to all contenders out on the Malton Forest Rally. Unfortunately I won’t be there – I’ve been confined to barracks to supervise a 4^th birthday party for my youngest!

Mike