Posted: February 19, 2005 12:26 PM
Kent's Paul Jones, partnered by Matt Clark, took victory on the final round of the Special Tuning (UK) Limited Peugeot 206 Winter Cup, after 40 miles of the tough and demanding Wyedean Forest Rally.
From the outset Richard Sykes/Mike Paines laid down the gauntlet to the Winter Cup field setting fastest times through the short opening test at Chepstow Racecourse and through stage two, Serridge 1. With Jones comfortably ahead of Winter Cup leader Mike O'Brien the pattern appeared to have been established. Second in the Winter Cup coming to Chepstow, Scotland's James Robinson/Mike Rollo suffered serious electrical problems on the Friday before the event, leaving him struggling with the car all day, and loosing over a minute when he hit standing water on stage two, reducing visibility to zero as the electrical problems continued to hamper his progress.
A relaxed Sykes found himself in the lead at first management service, unaware of what was to come in stage 3. Clipping a log and bending a rear hub pin a quarter of the way in, Sykes was forced to drag the car through the remainder of the stage with the wheel locked solid by the jammed rear caliper, dropping out of contention and leaving Jones with both fastest time for the stage and the lead of the Winter Cup round. With temporary repairs leaving Sykes with no brakes on that wheel for stages 4 and 5, electrical problems further dogged the crew just 100 metres into stage 4, leaving them with a maximum speed of 30 miles an hour through stages 4 and 5, placing them firmly at the bottom of the results.
Jones continued to consolidate his lead with two more fastest times t arrive in service with a 1minute 15 second lead over Irishmen Daniel Barry/Ben Doran who continued to find pace as he adapted to the 206, and the Kumho tyres, taking second place from Michael O'Brien who suffered bent suspension in stage 5, dropping 15 seconds to the young Ennikerry driver in the process.
While the Winter Cup contenders continued to battle it out, Peugeot 206 Super Cup newcomer Jonnie Wigmore was using the Wyedean as a shakedown test in his newly acquired Peugeot 206, posting notice of his intentions to the Super Cup regulars with stage times 17 seconds faster than Jones on his arrival at service. " I'm getting used to the feel of the car and feeling happy with it ", said Jonnie.
Sykes and Paines left service with the 206 apparently restored to full health, "I just want some match practice ready for Super Cup" he said on leaving. More woes were to follow as the repairs continued to give the 206 somewhat unusual handling. Michael O'Brien took the decision that his championship was more important than the result on the event, " I'm just looking to finish and secure the Winter Cup" said a smiling O'Brien. Daniel Barry held a comfortable second overall through the final loop of stages, happy that he is building pace ready for his Super Cup debut.
Jones continued to consolidate his lead through stage 6 and 7, and with the penultimate stage cancelled, Sykes put in a final blast over the Racecourse to set fastest time. With Jones clear of Barry in second and O'Brien in third, the diminutive Kent driver celebrated his maiden Peugeot win as O'Brien and co-driver Barry Young celebrated their Peugeot 206 Winter Cup Championship Victory.
Alan Ring and Greg Shinnors in a hired 2 Door Group N Impreza retired with Gearbox problems
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