RALLY NEWS NO.4                     Shrewsbury/Finish/Saturday 5.15

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 9 (LAST STAGE)
1st (1) Mark Perrott/Paul Morris (Escort WRC) 1.17.16.0
2nd (3) Steve Perez/Claire Mole (Focus WRC) 1.18.19.0
3rd (2) Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield (Impreza WRC) 1.19.22.1
4th (10) Geoff Jones/Rydian Welson (Impreza A) 1.20.00.6
5th (12) Rory Galligan/Jonty Bolsover (Lancer N)   1.20.11.0
6th (11) Paul Wedgbury/Neil Dashfield (Lancer N) 1.20.40.2
7th (7) Steve Petch/John Richardson (Accent WRC) 1.21.05.2
8th (20) Philip Morrow/Simon Morrow (Lancer N) 1.21.49.9
9th (24) Simon Hughes/Glenn Patterson (Impreza N) 1.22.10.6
10th (22) Nigel Griffiths/Andrew Owens (Impreza N) 1.23.17.4

Mark Perrott and co-driver Paul Morris have led this Bulldog Rally from start to finish today in their Escort WRC, the pair overcoming some very difficult, wet and treacherous conditions.  Leaving the Dolgellau service Mark had just over 20s of a lead on Steve Perez in the Vodka Kick Focus, but through the long Gartheniog stage Perrot really turned on the style, over 30s faster than Perez, and indeed much faster than anyone else on the rally.  Mark commented here at the finish. "I like that Gartheniog stage, there are lots of downhill sections in it as well so there is no excuse about being in an older car.  I enjoyed the day, found a good pace, really enjoyed it".  (Interestingly, all-action man Mark is going straight off with his motor bike to compete on tomorrow's Weston Super Mare beach race!) Second placed Steve Perez also had a good run through the day, but would dearly have liked to have won the rally outright, it was not to be.  Roger Duckworth was driving a series 7 Impreza WRC for the first time, got to grips with the car well, and looked as if he may have put Perez under pressure for 2nd place, but made a bit of a mess of stage 7, stalled the car at an acute hairpin and it wouldn't re-start. 

Geoff Jones made a late charge to come into 4th. Rory Galligan and co-driver Jonty Bolsover take 5th place, top group N, and also win the Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge.  This means a works Lancer for Oldcastle man Rory for next year. Paul Wedgbury finished 30s behind Rory, 6th overall, 2nd group N and 2nd in the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge. Ironically the man who won it this year, Brendan Crealey, retired on the very last stage when he knocked a wheel off the car. Brendan was saying earlier today that he hadn't damaged the car all season, and just wanted to hand it back at the end of the day all in one piece! 
Bob Ceen had been heading for 4th overall in his Class B Subaru Impreza, but he has hit trouble on the last stage and dropped well down the order. Some late retirements include David Wright, whose gpN Impreza clutch has gone. Young Cork driver Brendan Murphy has retired his Impreza N, Brendan was in with a strong chance of winning the Welsh championship. Jon Ingram also retired his Impreza earlier today.

In the Peugeot 206 Super Cup young Stuart Jones, co driven by Richard Edwards, has scored a marvellous win today and in the Super Cup overall for this year.  Stuart was the class of the field all day and never headed. Ieuan Rowlands finished 2nd today and takes 2nd in the series. Mike Faulkner was 3rd today but Gareth MacHale, despite lots of car troubles, takes 3rd in the overall Super Cup.  Scottish lady Stella Boyles, who celebrated her birthday this weekend, and who has co-ordinated the Peugeot 206 Super Cup for many years, would like to congratulate all who have competed, and contributed.  Also to thank all the organisers of the various events for such a wonderful period in British motorsport history through the Peugeot years. The John Boardman company takes over the running of the Peugeot 206 Super Cup for next year, the start of a new era.
In the Historic part of the rally today Richard Tuthill won the Post Historics in his Porsche. Stig Blomqvist was just behind and won his class in an Escort. Stuart Rolt won the Historics in his Porsche 911 from Dessie Nutt in a similar Porsche. Finally for now, many thanks to John Trevethick and his hard working team for a superb event, and our thanks also to all who supported the RallyNews service. 
BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net