RALLY NEWS NO.8            Hadrian’s Camp/Saturday 8pm

UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 18 (FINAL STAGE)

1st (2) Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Focus WRC) 1.55.35.8

2nd (5) Paul Bird/Ian Windress (Focus WRC) 1.57.12.9

3rd (4) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 1.57.48.7

4th (14) Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Corolla WRC) 1.58.57.3

5th (9) Sebastian Ling/Ian Allsop (Accent WRC) 1.59.26.3

6th (8) Tapio Laukkanen/Harri Kaapro (Impreza N) 1.59.53.2

7th (1) David Higgins/Daniel Barritt (Lancer N) 2.00.34.1

8th (3) Jonny Milner/Nicky Beech (Corolla WRC) 2.01.42.0

9th (25) Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson (Impreza N) 2.04.48.9

10th (19) Lorna Smith/Dave Robson (Impreza N) 2.05.37.7

Mark Higgins and his co driver Bryan Thomas in their Focus WRC topped the time sheets over most of this afternoon’s stages to score a resounding victory on this Pirelli International Rally, with Paul Bird/Ian Windress 2nd and Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy 3rd to make it a Focus WRC top 3.  Behind Austin was his son Gareth, co driven by Paul Nagle, in their Corolla WRC.  Gareth’s 4th place was quite a milestone for the young man, and indeed for the MacHale family.  Austin still leads the Pirelli BRC, Gareth is now up into 3rd position behind Seb Ling.  This information still unofficial. 

Mark Higgins commented at the finish. “We had a pretty good day, the weather was very changeable and it was nice to get a result. The rally was hard work, but at least we’re back on course for the Pirelli championship and Paul Bird did us a big favour getting in front of Austin MacHale!”  Bird commented “It was faultless as far as I’m concerned, great event for me”.  Austin MacHale said “It was a fair battle now, the darkness got us last night with the 2 overshoots, and then another off today when we were in the trees, plus the punctures, made it a hard rally. At least we are still leading the Pirelli championship, and it must be unique to have a father and son at the top. I think it was a great drive by Gareth”.  There was one disappointment for the MacHales when Aaron was forced to retire a few stages from the end when his Lancer broke its gearbox.

In Group N Tapio Laukkanen came through strongly to take victory in his Prodrive built Subaru Impreza and interestingly Tapio hopes to get a deal together to continue in the championship.  Interesting as well that Lorna Smith, 4th group N today in her Impreza, now leads the Production points in the series. David Higgins was naturally disappointed to finish group N, but he certainly gave it a good go.

Stories towards the end included Richard Gower retiring his Accent WRC after clouting a rock which suddenly appeared in the Newcastleton stage. The rock caused problems for others including Paul Bird damaging his Focus sump guard. Stephen Petch smashed a back wheel but managed to keep going on the same rock. Jonny Milner got a puncture towards the end, but lost little time, and when he brought the David Greer hired Corolla WRC into the finish he said. “Naturally it was a disappointing event, but we kept at it, picked up the performance. I have a great commitment to this championship. I could just as easily go home, but didn’t”. 

As the International part of the rally arrived into the final service the National runners were just about to arrive. The last information we have is that Tom Curtis/David Roberts were leading from Simon Moore/Hugh Matthias, both in Peugeots. James Wozencroft/Rob Fagg were well ahead in the Pirelli Stars of the Future, and Andrew Glover was leading the Land Rovers from Chris Ratter.

Just outside the top 10 on the International part of the rally John Lloyd was heading for 11th overall in his Impreza WRC. John lost time on Friday night with punctures, an off road excursion and turbo problem.  Iwan Rees was heading for 12th in his Impreza. 

Finally for now our thanks to all who helped and supported the RallyNews service. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net