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WEE MANX TALES NO.6
Grandstand/Saturday 4.15
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 16 - LAST STAGE
1st (3) Ken McKinstry/Noel Orr (Impreza WRC) 1.45.18.9
2nd (17) Mark Perrott/Paul Morris (Escort WRC) 1.45.33.9
3rd (14) Paul Bird/Andrew Bargery (Focus WRC) 1.46.55.3
4th (4) Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield (WRC) 1.47.24.4
5th (15) Craig Middleton/Robin Hernaman (Accent WRC) 1.48.08.0
6th (16) Steve Perez/Daniel Barritt (Focus WRC) 1.49.26.0
7th (21) Geoff Jones/Rhydian Welson (Impreza N) 1.49.26.3
8th (20) Brendan Crealey/Steve Harris (Lancer N) 1.49.41.3
9th (9) Marcus Dodd/Stephen McAuley (Accent WRC) 1.49.44.0
10th (2) Melvyn Evans/Martin Henry (Impreza WRC) 1.49.50.2
11th (31) Roy White/Greg Shinnors (Lancer N) 1.50.26.2
12th (32) Martin Sansom/Ieuan Thomas (Lancer N) 1.50.39.8
Kenny McKinstry called on the years of experience and skill that has earned him
Tarmac Rally Champion titles, ANCRO Champion and many other championships to
turn in some stunning times at the end of this 25th Manx National Rally to win
by 15s from the gallant Mark Perrott. Less than 2 weeks ago McKinstry's
Subaru was lying on its roof in bits on a Monaghan Rally special stage when Jim
Harrison got things wrong. The McKinstry mechanics pulled out all the
stops to get the car on to the ferry from Ireland in just 10 days. McKinstry and
co driver Noel Orr didn't let them down, although it looked for a few stages
today as though Mark Perrott was going to pull off a shock result. Kenny
makes no secret of the fact that conditions in the middle of the day were
extremely hazardous on the wet roads, and he just wasn't prepared to push too
hard.
Mark Perrott on the other hand drove with tremendous flair and courage to move
to the front. When the cars left service McKinstry didn't have a great
time through stage 13, Barroose, messing up the hairpin triangle, but then
through St Lukes, over Orrisdale and up Tholt Y Will he showed all his mastery
and class. When Kenny's Pirelli shod Subaru came in here to the finish he
said. "Its nice to win this rally again, really great". At that
he went straight over and congratulated Mark Perrott on his brilliant drive. The
latter saying "I'm not really disappointed, I always thought Kenny had a
bit left in reserve. I'm pleased with the way I went and Kenny gave me a few
tips, I've learned a lot". Third placed Paul Bird said "We had a
faultless last few stages, its nice to finish 1m.36s behind a legend".
In Group N Geoff Jones was coming under a lot of pressure from Brendan Crealey,
but like McKinstry Geoff pulled out all the stops towards the end and his
Impreza finished 15s ahead of Crealey's Lancer. Roy White was 3rd overall in
group N and won the Evo Challenge category from Martin Sansom with Anthony
Willmington 3rd.
In the Peugeot 206 Super Cup Gareth MacHale has come through to a fine win by
just over 12s from Ieuan Rowlands. We are still waiting for times for Rodney
Wilton and Stuart Jones, but both are struggling with drive shaft problems.
Late stories included - Dickie (Duckie) Curran crashing his Impreza out of the
event. His Lancer had actually blown a head gasket so he decided to have one
last blast through a stage. Steven Quine and co-driver Richard Skinner crashed
their Escort Maxi out of the F2 lead, thankfully both were unhurt.
Melvyn Evans finished 10th overall and scored maximum points in the National
Tarmacadam Championship. Roger Duckworth's 4th place will do his ANCRO
championship no harm either. Some class leaders today included Rob Watson who
finished 15th and won class B11 in his Nova. Dave Price won cl.B12 in his
Escort. Peter Christian won cl.A7 in his Astra. Still more times to come….
Finally for now well done to John and Jill Skinner and all the team for a very
enjoyable and challenging Roush Manx National Rally. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
www.rallynews.net
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