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Bulletin – 06/13
After a 5 week break the SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship crossed the Scottish border for the only closed road stage rally on the British mainland, The Jim Clark Reivers Rally. The conditions were predominately hot and dry without any showers. A nice breeze kept the spectators cool in the hot summer sun…
Only five crews from the SG Petch ANECCC Championship entered this year. Steve Bannister/Louise Sutherland were away at No.11 in their potent Escort Mk2, whilst Peter Stephenson/Ian Windress came out to play in their Subaru Impreza WRC and were seeded at No.17. Ian Watson/Mike Dickson were also running a Subaru Impreza WRX and started at No.36. Marcus Noble/Helen Hall were seeded at No.44, however they didn’t appear, presumably because the engine had been fully rebuilt following a recent failure. The delightful ladies, Sean Beaty/Julianne Antrobus, lined up at the back of the field in their Ford KA at No.100.
A couple of co-drivers had decided to try and increase their points tally by accompanying other drivers. The current 2012 Champion, Josh Davison was reading the notes for Douglas Humphrey in the Opel Kadett, whilst Richard Wardle was keeping times for Kenneth Moore in his Hillman Avenger.
The battle at the front to claim maximum championship points was between Steve Bannister and Peter Stephenson. Peter reported having “a careful start” as it was 15years since he’d rallied on tarmac… After three stages Peter was 40seconds behind… However from SS4 onwards things changed. Peter charged back to be 10 seconds in front was they went into the last stage. Steve decided to “give a real go”, however engine problems were prevent Peter and Ian from staying in front. Very graciously Steve said “it would’ve been nice to see Peter and Ian at the finish after such a hard fought battle”.
Although feeling they weren’t going quick enough Ian Watson/Mick Dickson had a steady run to bring their Impreza home 19th overall…
The other SG Petch Championship competitors to finish were Sian Beaty/Julianne Antrobus. The finish position isn’t too important to these ladies just so long as they enjoy themselves. Both of them admitting to having big squeals of delight going over the yump on the Blackadder stage…!!!
Unfortunately neither of the co-drivers, Richard Wardle and Josh Davison, finished. The Hillman Avenger of Kenneth Moore that Richard was sitting in lost it’s oil on SS4 and Douglas Humphrey went off the road with Josh Davison on SS5…
After seven round the current points standings are:-
Drivers
Steve Bannister 70pts, Peter Stephenson 56pts, Richard Cook 32pts, Ian Watson 31pts, Joanna Wickham 28 pts.
Co-drivers.
Ian Windress 76pts, Louise Sutherland 65pts, Mick Dickson 46 pts, Edwin Cook 24pts, Richard Wardle21pts.
There is now a six week break before the P&R Benn Greystoke Stages Rally on the 14th July and regs and on-line entry are available on the rally website www.greystokestages.co.uk
It is then back to the tarmac of the Otterburn Ranges with the Tyneside Stages on the 11th August. Full details and regulations will be available soon on the rally website. www.alnwickmotorclub.co.uk/tyneside-stages-rally
If anyone has any questions please contact.
Colin Tombs
SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship Coordinator
Home – 01388 818953
Mobile – 07775 995036
E-mail – colintombs@sky.com
Website - www.anecccstagerally.co.uk
Posted in Bulletins on: June 11th, 2013
Bulletin – 04/13
After a short break of five weeks the competitors in the SG Petch ANECCC Stage Rally Championship returned to action on the SG Petch supported Tour of Hamsterley Rally.
This year the rally was also a round of the RAC Rally Championship and this brought a full entry too. The event started from Bishop Auckland town centre with service available after a loop of 3 stages and then again after the same 3 stages. A 14.5 mile stage would conclude the event.
Current joint leader, Peter Stephenson with Ian Windress was reading the notes, took maximum championship points for the 2nd time this year, and finished 3rd overall. A further 1min 25secs behind was Steve Bannister with Louise Sutherland co-driving.
Alan Hughes and Richard Wardle were 3rd placed crew, with new recruit Gavin Spencer winning the 1400 class in 4th place. 5th place SG Petch ANECCC Championship points went to Joanna Wickham in her Impreza. Rather uncharacteristically John Bainbridge and Giles Dykes found themselves finishing well down the filed after problems early on stage 2.
Unfortunately Alistair Hutchinson had problems too on stage 3 and decided to call it a day at the first service halt. Another crew also returning home early after the first service halt were Marcus Noble and Helen Hall. Colin Payne and Stuart Whitfield are having a disastrous year so far and as their progress was again hindered with problems on stage 2 they too went home early.
Although as the 1400cc class and the historic cars were running ahead of the main field, allowing the older cars to have the best road conditions, they also found the stages very wet and slippery. The final run saw a lot of deep ruts appearing and a number of competitors did find the stages were beginning to cut up quite badly, however, most crews enjoyed their day’s motorsport.
After five rounds the current points standings are:- Drivers Peter Stephenson 55 pts, Steve Bannister 50 pts, Richard Cook 32 pts, Joanna Wickham 28 pts, Marcus Noble 23pts, Barry Lindsay 20 pts.
Co-drivers. Ian Windress 75 pts, Louise Sutherland 45 pts, Mick Dickson 31 pts, Edwin Cook 24 pts, Dan Kennedy and Richard Wardle 20 pts.
After four rounds in the forest we now return to tarmac for the Jim Clark Reivers Rally on the 31st May, Full rally information is available on the rally website www.jimclarkrally.com if you haven’t got your entries it is not too late, but be quick.
There is then a short return to the forests for the Greystoke Stages, before a run of four tarmac rallies. The Greystoke Stages is on the 14th July and regulations are now available on the rally website www.greystokestages.co.uk
Posted in Bulletins, Tour of Hamsterley on: May 1st, 2013
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