RALLY NEWS NO.2             Pickering Showground - Saturday 10.30am

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 PICKERING S/GROUND
1st (12) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRC) 0.47.4
2nd (14) Steve Petch/John Richardson (Accent WRC) 0.47.7
      (16) Julian Reynolds/Ieuan Thomas (Impreza) 0.47.7
4th (18) Charles Payne/Craig Thorley (Lancer) 0.48.9
5th (19) Barry Johnson/John Bennie (Impreza WRC) 0.49.0
6th (21) Jari-Matti Latvala/Carl Williamson (Lancer) 0.49.2
7th (20) Nigel Heath/Steve Lancaster (Impreza WRC) 0.50.2
8th (25) Geoff Smith/Andy Juniper (Lancer N) 0.51.2
9th (22) James Thompson/Plug Pulleyn (Lancer N) 0.51.4
10th (17) Leon Pesticcio/Howard Davies (Lancer N) 0.51.5
        (27) Tony Thompson/Richard Myers (Lancer N) 0.51.5

The above times are from stage 1 - the spectator stage here at Pickering Showground - but the stunning news coming in is that Justin Dale's engine has blown in stage 2.  This is far from official so we must wait for ratification.  If the story is true it means that Jonny Milner is the new Pirelli British Rally Champion, even if he doesn't finish this weekend's event.  Jonny didn't know that of course when he went through the first stage, and he commented at stage finish. "It's nice to get the first one out of the way, the car feels very good, nicely balanced".  Justin Dale was first on the road, and he commented on just how slippy the stage was, nearly having an overshoot at the first junction, sentiments echoed by most of the following drivers.

Gwyndaf Evans in the MG was fastest of the Super 1600 category at the front of the field, but interestingly, Sven Haaf was a fraction faster than the Welshman.  Sven is seeded at No.15 although running even further back in the order, and he is driving the German Opel Corsa, similar to Niall McShea.  We are not absolutely sure that we understood the German when he said at the stop line of the stage "For us it is the first metres on gravel so it is good".  Happily there were no dramas amongst the top drivers on this first stage, mostly just happy to get going and settle into the cars.

As the International competitors were finishing this test, the Historic part of the rally was completing stage 2 up in Dalby,with Charles Golding fastest of the Post Historics from David Stokes.  Steve Perez was fastest of the Historics from Dessie Nutt. 

Further news on Justin Dale would indicate that the Peugeot has stopped at junction 18 in stage 2 with an engine problem, spelling an end to Justin's dream of becoming outright Pirelli British Rally Champion. He has of course helped Peugeot to win the Manufacturers Award and also the Super 1600 category.
More news after stage 3. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON  www.rallynews.net