UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 11 (final stage)
1st
(1) Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Focus WRC) 1.14.18.9
2nd
(2) Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Focus WRC) 1.16.29.5
3rd
(7) Sebastian Ling/David Moynihan (Accent WRC) 1.17.25.9
4th
(4) Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry (Impreza WRC) 1.17.49.3
5th
(8) Rory Galligan/Greg Shinnors (Lancer N) 1.19.47.6
6th
(10) Richard Gower/Aled Davies (Accent WRC) 1.23.35.6
7th
(24) Robert Swann/Ken Bowman (Impreza N) 1.23.39.4
8th
(32) Brian O’Mahony/John Higgins (Puma) 1.23.43.1
9th
(30) Andrew Leece/Robbie Durant (Clio) 1.24.25.9
10th
(28) Shaun Woffinden/Imbal Edry (Fiat Stilo) 1.24.47.1
In the end
Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas emerged the clear victors of this 60th
Scottish International Rally, their winning margin over 2 minutes
10s on Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy in a similar Ford Focus WRC.
Mark has won most, if not all, of the British Championship
International rally rounds, but this was his first Scottish win.
When his Focus appeared through the clouds of dust and midges in the
final Clatteringshaws stage Mark took time out to say “It was as
ever an endurance rally, tough, punctures played a big part and we
were very grateful to Pirelli for these XR tyres. I still enjoyed
it although I had to be careful in places to try to avoid the worst
of the rocks. It was a shame that the event had to be shortened a
bit because of the lack of entries, but it was still a good rally”.
At that Mark nipped over to see his cousin Andrew Leece who was just
on his way in to start that final stage. Andrew leading his class by
16s with his Clio. It was typical of Mark that he took the time to
wish him every success and giving him all the advice and
encouragement that he could.
Austin
MacHale said when he finished the stage “Mark will be hard to beat
in the championship, but we’re still leading the Pirelli points, and
if it hadn’t been for the earlier problems with the gearbox ECU, it
could have been closer. The rally was a bit dragged out, that seems
to be the way here, and it was a tough event. Still, fair dues to
all involved.” Third placed Sebastian Ling was bubbling at stage
finish. Seb had started the stage 14s behind Barry Johnson, but his
Accent WRC had suffered a puncture halfway through the stage.
Encouraged by new co-driver David Moynihan, Seb drove his heart out
for the rest of the stage, knocking the rear bumper off the Hyundai
and finished with no tyre left on the rim, but still set a fabulous
time. Just a few seconds slower than Austin MacHale. It really was
a superb effort by Ling who seems to have this natural ability to
turn on the speed and the style. He thought however that 3rd
place had gone. But Barry Johnson’s Subaru also had a puncture, his
happening at the 3 mile mark and Barry dropped 38s, which meant
finishing 5th instead of 3rd.
Also having
a great run through the final stage was Irishman Rory Galligan, Rory
and co driver Greg Shinnors win Group N Production here on the
Scottish, Rory saying “We had a good clean run towards the end, but
in a way I’m sad to see the end of the rally as the Pirelli
championship now moves on to tarmac, and these cars are absolutely
magic through the forests. Good on the tar as well, but brilliant
fun in the forests”.
Further
stories from that last stage include – Lorna Smith incurring yet
another puncture. Her 6th on the rally, plus an accident
in Black Loch. She may just salvage some Pirelli Group N points but
she will certainly have lost the lead she had at the start. Young
Cork man Brian O’Mahony had a brilliant rally, despite his Puma
losing its brakes at times towards the end he kept it all together
to win his class and finish in the top 10. Manx man Andrew Leece
also had a great run. His Clio suffered a puncture through the
Glentrool stage but he kept it altogether to finish in the top 10
and also win his class. Shaun Woffinden takes top points in the Fiat
Rally Cup.
Finally for
now well done to Jonathan Lord and all his hard working team. Our
thanks also to Caroline Reid and Gordon Hastie and all who helped
and supported the RallyNews service. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON
www.rallynews.net
