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RALLY
NEWS NO.7
Bournemouth - finish - Saturday 6.30
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 16 - last stage
1st (2) Marcus Dodd/Stephen McAuley (Impreza WRC) 1.09.36.4
2nd (3) Andy Burton/John Roberts (Peugeot Cos.) 1.09.55.4
3rd (8) David Mann/Alun Cook (Impreza) 1.10.26.2
4th (5) Raymond Munro/Neil Ewing (Impreza WRC) 1.10.50.4
5th (9) Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield (Impreza WRC) 1.11.32.2
6th (25) Phil Morgan/Martin Douglas (Impreza WRc) 1.11.57.7
7th (22) Charlie Payne/Craig Thorley (Impreza) 1.12.04.3
8th (18) Martyn Harrison/Stewart Merry (6R4) 1.12.12.8
9th (24) Ollie O'Donovan/Conor Bruton (Impreza) 1.12.50.9
10th (26) Paul Bird/Larry Carter (Accent WRC) 1.13.33.7
Marcus Dodd, co-driven this time by Ulsterman Stephen McAuley, turned in a
class performance today to win this Rallye Sunseeker for the 4th time.
Andy Burton was 2nd, David Mann 3rd and we did think that reigning Kumho
National Champion Mark Perrott would come into 4th, but his gearbox broke,
which leaves Scotsman Raymond Munro in 4th place. Marcus Dodd commented
at the holding control just before the finish.."The rally was quite hard
work but very enjoyable. Some of the new stage routes were difficult and got
pretty rutted. I couldn't push hard this afternoon in case I damaged
the car. We were running in ruts quite a lot and in one downhill section into
a square left, the ruts tried to take us straight into a gatepost!"
Speculation before the rally was that Marcus was going to do some historic
events this year in a Mk2 Escort, and forget about the Kumho Championship.
Today's result seems to have changed his mind, and although Marcus has sold
this particular Subaru he reckons a slightly older one would be just as much
fun, and we should see him out later on in the season. Andy Burton said
at the end "It's 10 years since I finished this rally, 2nd place is very
enjoyable for me". Third placed David Mann, always a stalwart of
the ANCRO series, told us "It was our first time out on Kumho tyres and
we are still learning, so we are quite pleased with the result".
Some snippets towards the end included - Martyn Harrison fastest on the final
stage in his Metro 6R4. Bob Ceen spun in the same stage and finished 12th
overall behind Steve Hendy who had earlier gearbox troubles. Paul Bird in the
Hyundai WRC had a spin in St Leonards and was happy to make the top 10. Ollie
O'Donovan was relieved to make the finish having severely hurt his back over
the bumps and jumps of stage 13. Ollie said at the end "I was hoping for
a top 6, but I'm glad to finish at all let alone in the top 10".
Group N on the rally goes to Will Nicholls in the Subaru, while Paul
Alexander had a good run to finish highest placed Mitsubishi Lancer and 2nd
in gpN. Brendan Crealey was 3rd in gpN and 2nd placed Lancer.
In the Peugeot Winter Cup with just the very short final stage to go Stuart
Jones was leading on the day by 13s from Sebastian Ling with Shane McCarthy
3rd, a minute back. If Stuart gets his car to the finish he will have won the
Cup. Many thanks to all who helped and supported the RallyNews service
and congratulations to Rick Smith and all his organising team on a brilliant
event. BRIAN AND LIZ PATTERSON
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