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MANX RALLY
TALES NO.2 Ramsey..Thursday 8pm
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 2
1st (1) Tapio Laukkanen/Kaj Lindstrom (VW Golf)3.40.8
2nd (6) David Higgins/Shaun O'Gorman (Peugeot 106)3.43.2
3rd (2) Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (V/hall Astra) 3.44.1
4th (5) Justin Dale/Andrew Bargery (Peugeot 106) 3.44.3
5th (15) Niall McShea/Michael Orr (Saxo) 3.47.1
6th (14) Guy Anderson/Dave Taylor (Lancer N) 3.48.7
7th (11) Marko Ipatti/Kari Kajula (Lancer N) 3.50.4
8th (12) Gavin Cox/Tim Hobbs (Lancer N) 3.51.6
9th (19) Mike Brown/Aled Davies (Lancer N) 3.51.8
10th (10) Neil Simpson/Mike Gibson (Lancer N) 3.53.5
The above times are from the early cars only.
Unbelievably, on the very first stage of this Manx International
Neil Wearden's Vauxhall stopped with engine trouble, and it would
appear that Marko Ipatti is the new Mobil 1 British Rally champion.
When we left the Ramsey test the Wearden Vauxhall was still stopped
in the stage, with driver and co-driver standing beside the car,
arms folded. It was only a 1.7 mile stage, starting from
the swimming baths and swinging down through the harbour complex,
across the swing bridge, round a few streets, and down on to
the promenade, where the car had to zig zag through the central
reservation. At the halfway point in the stage car No.3
Wearden, running first on the road, sounded an absolute dream,
tremendous speed, tremendous noise. Ironically, where we
could catch a glimpse of the car from the finish of the stage,
was where it came out of Hope Street! The car disappeared out
of our view, and then went quiet. There were puzzled frowns
on the team personnel faces as Mark Higgins' Vauxhall could be
heard coming down the stage, he passed us, went off into the
distance, re-appeared at stage finish with the stunning news
that his team mate's Astra was stopped. The cause was something
to do with the engine, but it is much too early to know exactly
what, and too soon also to get a quote from Neil or Trevor.
It will probably be unprintable anyway!
After a couple more cars came through, Marko Ipatti stopped at
the stage finish with an incredulous look on his face.
Could he be the new Mobil 1 British Champion? He didn't know
for sure and had to keep going, for a second run at the Ramsey
stage, and of course the Wearden Astra was still parked.
Surely Marko is the new British Champion?
The Wearden drama meant everything else paled slightly.
Laukkanen reported a few major moments on cold tyres after the
stae start, and that was a sentiment echoed by many of the drivers.
Neil Simpson stalled his engine off the start line. The Peugeots
of David Higgins and Justin Dale put up a stunning 2nd and 4th
fastest. Niall McShea has a revised differential and suspension
set up at the front of his Saxo and he went very well. But really
all the talk was about Neil Wearden stopping, and what a huge
anti climax it was after all the pre rally hype.
More news later..BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON (with thanks to
Steve Fellows)
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