| WEE
MANX TALES NO.6
Grandstand/Saturday 4.30
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 15 Tholt-y-Will
1ST (1) Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr (Impreza WRC) 1.28.15.2
2ND (2) Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield (Impreza WRC) 1.28.45.9
3rd (5) Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery (Accent WRC) 1.30.41.4
4th (7) Steve Perez/Claire Mole (Focus WRC) 1.31.29.1
5th (16) David Kynaston/Andy Russell (Audi A3) 1.32.52.9
6th (10) Phil Collins/Damien Crawford (Escort) 1.32.59.3
7th (14) Steve Hendy/Aled Davies (Focus WRC) 1.33.23.9
8th (35) Neil McCance/Ian Windress (Lancer N) 1.33.44.7
9th (20) Sebastian Ling/Aled Rees (Lancer N) 1.34.09.5
10th (28) John Cope/Clive Molyneaux (Impreza N) 1.35.21.6
For Kenny McKinstry and Noel Orr this was their 5th victory on this rally
and this win has lost none of it's sparkle for the Ulster crew, today’s
win just as sweet as their first win back in 1999. Roger Duckworth
and his co driver Mark Broomfield kept the pressure on McKinstry right
until the end but had to give best by just under 30s while for Marcus
Dodd/Andrew Bargery 3rd place was better than they expected before the
start. Colin McRae retired a few stages from the end so that Phil
Collins/Damien Crawford brought their Escort into best 2 wheel drive and
6th overall. Neil McCance/Ian Windress won group N from Sebastian
Ling/Aled Rees, both in Lancers. Mark Cubbin/Jonathan Turnbull were
3rd in group N and best Manx crew just pipping Stephen Quine/Richard Skinner
in their Astra for local honours. As the top crews were preparing to go
over the ramp the Fiesta Sporting Trophy contenders were still battling
it out on the stages and the latest news we have is that Jonathan Greer
was leadfing Tom Walster by just over 4s with Elfyn Evans 3rd and Alastair
Fisher 4th.
When Kenny McKinstry brought his Subaru in here to the Grandstand he took
time out to say. “Over the last 3 stages we made sure to stay in
the middle of the road, nothing silly, taking no cuts but still on a good
pace. The amount of debris and bumps and bangs in the banks over the Curraghs
is a reminder of how tough the Isle of Man is. It was nice to get dry
weather today, brilliant to win, a great rally”. Roger Duckworth’s
co driver Mark Broomfield said. “We were playing with bits and bobs
in the car in the set up, but still pushed hard over the last 3 stages,
kept Kenny honest”. When asked was he disappointed to be 2nd
once again, Mark said. “I’d rather be here at the finish ramp
than upside down in a hedge. Of course we’d love to win and we joke
that we can the helmets up when we do win”.
Steve Perez/Claire Mole took a solid 4th place and maintain their position
in the MSA Gravel Championship. While David Kynaston turned in a great
run this afternoon to catapult his Audi up into 5th place o/a and take
top MSA Asphalt Championship points. Phil Collins was in superb
form all weekend and said at the finish. “Its 24 years since I first
won this event, the bells were on at the end, we shouldn’t really
have finished up there with the big cars!”
Further stories included: John Cope had a slightly off towards the end
and damaged the front of his Impreza but was well pleased with his 10th
place. Stephen Quine struggled towards the end with gearbox troubles in
his Astra. Steve Hendy lost 6th gear in his Focus WRC and although the
suspension was a bit soft, and he drove 16 miles with no wipers last night,
he still managed a good top 10 place.
Neil McCance, obviously really delighted to have won group N, said. “Not
bad for an old grey haired man, its not like me to have some story to
tell, wings hanging off the car, went well, this island is usually kind
to me, I’m so pleased with the result”. Sebastian Ling,
who moves into a tie situation with Phillip Morrow at the top of the Evo
Challenge said. “We have done what we wanted to do, its all about
the championship. I learned my lesson here in 2004 when we wrecked the
car with 1 stage to go while gpN by 2 minutes. The championship means
everything to me, the works drive as the prize. I’m trying to keep
it consistent”. This was another very special Manx.
There were all sorts of personalities in the service area as well as out
on the stages. Mark and David Higgins were servicing for their mother
and father Tony and Christine, Tony driving a Mk2 Escort and despite gearbox
trouble set some good tines today. Gwyndaf Evans was servicing for his
son Elfyn in the Fiestas. Former Ulster Rally winner Derek Boyd decided
to compete in a hired Raymond Mason Lancer and then of course we had Colin
McRae out on the stages, just a pity Colin’s Escort stopped with
mechanical trouble. It was a talented field of drivers and all agreed
it was a brilliant rally. Well done to John & Jill Skinner and
all the team who made it possible. BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON www.rallynews.net |
