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| Manx International Rally |
| RALLY NEWS No.10 - After final stage - Saturday @ 16:37:31 |
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RALLY NEWS NO.10 Grandstand/Douglas/Saturday
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 20 – FINAL STAGE
1st (1) Mark HIggins/Bryan Thomas (Impreza N) 2.37.47.2
2nd (2) Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors (Lancer N) 2.39.13.6
3rd (3) Alastair Fisher/Rory Kennedy (Lancer N) 2.44.12.5
4th (11) Steven Quine/Paul McCann (Lancer) 2.47.44.0
5th (7) Euan Thorburn/Campbell Roy (Impreza N) 2.48.18.9
6th (8) Dave Weston Jnr/Aled Davies (Impreza N) 2.52.10.0
7th (25) Marty McCormack/Phil Clarke (C2R2 Max) 2.53.07.4
8th (26) Jason Pritchard/Andrew Edwards (C2R2 Max) 2.54.15.4
9th (15) Tom Walster/Craig Parry (Clio) 2.54.30.5
10th (20) Andrew Leece/Richard Skinner (Fiesta) 2.57.47.8
Mark Higgins hurled his Subaru Impreza over the finish line of the final stage of this Isle of Man International Rally to win and to become the most successful driver in the history of the event. This brings Mark’s tally to 5 victories to move ahead of Russell Brookes and Tony Pond who have 4 each. Mark’s co driver Bryan Thomas equals the record number of co driver wins with Derek Ringer, each with 4 to their credit. When Mark brought his Impreza into service behind the Grandstand he said. “What a couple of days. I didn’t think this was going to happen this morning when we had the clutch trouble. Full credit to the team and to Keith Cronin, his times on my Island were very impressive.” As for Keith, such a gallant runner up, he said. “Only for a few mistakes it could have been better. It was good to come here and race Mark. The fog came down on the final stage and I switched off the anti lag but we were still fastest on the final 2 stages.” Keith’s co driver Greg Shinnors said. “It is big experience for the future, we will see what we can take out of it. It was good to put the pin in Mark’s collar”. In British Championship terms Mark and Keith are now tying which should make the next round, the Ulster, very interesting.
Alastair Fisher put up a brilliant show to take 3rd and as well as holding a strong position in the British Championship he now leads Group N on the Tarmac series. Alastair told us. “It was very good to get 180 miles done, great experience and we know now what areas we have to work on”. Steven Quine was really pleased to finish 4th on his local rally. Euan Thorburn’s co driver Campbell Roy said. “Mission accomplished”. Dave Weston Jnr just about made the finish in 6th place, his Subaru leaking oil from the gearbox and drive shaft at the end of the last stage. Marty McCormack did a brilliant job to win the Citroen Racing Trophy and extend his lead in the series and said of his C2R2 Max. “Never gave a bother.” Jason Pritchard struggled a little at the end with his Citroen gearbox but still finished in the top 10 and took 2nd placed Citroen points. Tom Walster has won class R3 in his Clio. Luke Pinder was heading for class R1 victory and also best of the Suzukis.
The Historic Rally has still 2 stages to go and Dessie Nutt leads the pre 67 category. Steve Smith has taken over the Post Historic lead from David Stokes. Gwyndaf Evans continues to lead the Classics from Phil Collins. The Trophy Rally also has several stages to go and Lee Batty in his Escort leads from George Collister in his Lancer with James Hoseason 3rd (Darrian). Finnish driver Matti Rantanen was competing in the Super Rally and has crashed his Clio Ragnotti at the end of stage 17. Looking outside the Isle of Man, Skoda has clinched 1st and 2nd on the IRC rally in Russia, their most important result for 100 years. Hanninen was the winner, Kopecky 2nd. David Higgins has won in China to make it a Higgins red letter day.
Finally for now our thanks to Richard & Anona Bargery for all their help and also to Chris Boyde and Joe and Neil for looking after everyone so well in the Media Centre. Thanks as well to all who supported and helped with the RallyNews service.
BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net
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