Cheviot National / Keith Knox Stages - 19 Oct 08

MSA ASPHALT RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP - KYNASTON WEATHERS THE STORM!…

Posted: October 20, 2008 3:44 PM

DAVID KYNASTON & ANDY RUSSELL are the 2008 Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Champions! Third place on the final round of the Championship, the UTS Cheviot National Rally, was more than enough to secure their second title but it was, nevertheless, a nerve-wracking day!

As crews headed for Otterburn, three drivers remained in contention for the title – defending champion STEVE SIMPSON, Kynaston and 2003 MSA Gravel Champion DAVID MANN. Simpson’s Hyundai Accent WRC had finished every round so far, whilst his rivals had already posted one retirement each, effectively giving them a score ‘in-hand’ over the 2007 Cheviot winner.

However, nobody could have foreseen Simpson’s early exit from the Cheviot when the Hyundai left the road on the opening stage and, although relatively undamaged, could not be retrieved in time for him and co-driver Andrew Roughead to continue. One down, two to go!

Then it was Mann’s turn to hit trouble – his Subaru Impreza WRC began to suffer from a slipping clutch and, although he and ALUN COOK were able to borrow a replacement unit from eventual event winner ANDY FENWICK and in spite of a sterling effort by his service crew to change it, the Impreza was just OTL by the time the job was completed.

That left Kynaston/Russell needing to finish, but not needing to win to take the Championship – one of the most difficult things for a competitive crew to achieve! However, it all came right in the end and the trophy will be heading to Devon for a second time. For his efforts, Kynaston was also awarded the ‘John Price Rallying Star Drive’ salver at the Awards Ceremony at Otterburn Hall Hotel.

As mentioned, ANDY FENWICK & LEE TINDALL won the Cheviot outright in their Skoda Octavia WRC, completing their tally of victories on Otterburn-based events, but this was not without its dramas either! With a couple of stages to go, the car’s rear differential failed leaving them to cruise to the finish at a maximum of 70 mph. Fortunately, they had already built up a sufficient buffer such that the end result was not affected.

Runners-up on the day, after another fantastic run, were SIMON MAUGER/BRIAN CAMMACK in their two-wheel drive Ford Escort RS. With Simpson retaining 2nd place in the overall Drivers’ Championship, Mauger moves up to third, just four points behind him. Cammack, meanwhile, finishes second in the Co-drivers’ table.

GRAHAM HOLLIS/ASHLEY TRIMBLE took their Ford Escort RS to a top six finish, confirming themselves as Class B11 winners this season. Their performances throughout the season have also kept them in touch with Mauger in the Rear-Wheel Drive category, still finishing a fine second in amongst some impressive opposition.

RICHARD BUTLER/MATT DUBBER (Honda Civic Type ‘R’) had been in a season-long tussle with PAUL HAREWOOD/BOB JONES (Vauxhall Astra GSI) for Class N3, but the latter’s retirement on the Cheviot brought the matter to a premature close. The Honda crew also narrowly edged out MARTIN NEWSON/PETER MORRIS (MG ZR) for top spot in the Front-Wheel Drive section, tie-break rules having to be invoked for the Driver’s trophy.

TRACEY-LOUISE & GARRY MUIR (Peugeot 106) rounded off their first year of MSA Asphalt Championship events with yet another class win, giving them a full house in Class B9. Meanwhile, GEOFF GLOVER/CHARLIE TURNER (Vauxhall Astra RWD) appear to have overcome the gearbox troubles that have blighted their season and a good run over Otterburn has moved them up to 3rd in B11.

Although Newson/Morris are another crew to finish their season with a maximum class score, ROLAND JONES (MG ZR) has also achieved a 100% finishing record, serving to keep the leaders on their toes throughout.

The Richard Egger Insurance BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series has seen CHRIS JONES/RICHARD WILLIAMS shine in their Ford Focus STI and 3rd place overall in the Keith Knox Stages served to confirm them as 2008 Champions.

It would be true to say that brother-and-sister SIMON SELBY/HAYLEY HENDERSON haven’t had the best of season with their Austin Seven, but a good run on Otterburn must give them considerable encouragement for the future. Maximum Series class points and just twenty seconds behind the event class winner are just deserts for their efforts.

The Otterburn Ranges can be an inhospitable place at times and, on a wet and very windy day, the retirement rate was unsurprisingly high. JOHN STONE/LEE CARTER set fastest time on the opening stage in their Legend Fires MG Metro 6R4, only for its gearbox to comprehensively lunch itself on the next. The second Legend 6R4, that of MARK JASPER/DON WHYATT, was holding 2nd place overall when it, too, was sidelined with wheel stud problems.

CHRIS MARSHALL/SIMON HUNTER decided that discretion was the better part of valour when their Mitsubishi Lancer EVO developed a misfire and ADRIAN SPENCER/MARK HEWITT, who clinched the BTRDA Asphalt Series on the 2007 Cheviot, were not to repeat their success, retiring their Impreza during the second loop of stages.

IAN COPPING/DAVE ROWLEY put their Ford Fiesta RWD off the road, damaging the steering rack in the process and, having just finished rebuilding their Peugeot 206 after a major ‘off’ on the Jim Clark, RYAN BORTHWICK/GARY WHITE didn’t have much luck either, only managing to complete the first two stages.

GRAHAM MUTER/STEVE PRINCE, who had caused many raised eyebrows with their performances in a 1300cc Escort in the BTRDA Series, weren’t so lucky this time. Side-swiping a bale at high speed caused sufficient damage to put them out, but 4th overall in the Series points table is ample testament to a splendid season!

A highly enjoyable season in both MSA & BTRDA Asphalt Series is now at a close and, with Richard Egger Insurance confirmed as headline sponsors for 2009, we can only hope that the levels of competitiveness can be maintained throughout next season.

Photos

Posted: October 20, 2008 3:43 PM

cmwi.net

Full Results and Times

Posted: October 20, 2008 3:41 PM

Results - Cheviot Rally

Results - Keith knox

NERVES OF STEEL!….MSA Asphalt Rally Championship & BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series Preview

Posted: October 15, 2008 10:24 PM

As the final rounds of both the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship & BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series approach, neither has been tied up and any unfinished business will be taken care of on the Otterburn Military Ranges in Northumberland next Sunday on the UTS Cheviot National Rally and, running concurrently, the Keith Knox Stages Rally.

In MSA Championship terms, there are three drivers who could end the day as the 2008 title-holder. Defending champion STEVE SIMPSON arrives in the north-east as ‘top dog’ in the points table but, having achieved a 100% finishing record thus far in his Hyundai Accent WRC, both his rivals have a score ‘in-hand’. Simpson is utilising the ‘local’ knowledge of co-driver ANDREW ROUGHEAD on this occasion and the pair will be looking for a repeat of the driver’s victory on last year’s Cheviot which served to confirm him as champion in the best possible way.

2006 MSA Asphalt Champions DAVID KYNASTON/ANDY RUSSELL start at No.2 in their Audi A3 Quattro, realistically needing only to finish(!) on Otterburn to clinch their second title. A string of excellent results was interrupted by a retirement in Sligo (for the second consecutive year!) but, as Simpson has not had the same co-driver on every round, Russell leads that section of the points table.

He, too, has two main rivals for the 2008 title, not least of whom is ALUN COOK who has partnered DAVID MANN on the 2003 MSA Gravel Rally Champion’s first full season of asphalt rallying. Their Subaru Impreza WRC has not finished lower than third points scorer all season, but a fire on the Isle of Man means that they have also already dropped the obligatory one event and must finish well on the final round.

The third co-driver who could finish atop the table is BRIAN CAMMACK who, with driver SIMON MAUGER, have put in some blistering performances during the season in their Ford Escort RS. Mauger could finish second or third overall in the Championship, depending obviously on his Otterburn result, but Cammack could just go one better!

Although not in line for any overall awards this year, ANDY FENWICK/LEE TINDALL start at No.3 in the Skoda Octavia WRC that led the Cheviot for much of last year before a coming-together with one of the chicanes put them out. There is definitely some unfinished business between crew, car and event here…

After a very quiet season by their standards, MARK JASPER & DON WHYATT return to the Championship in their MG Metro 6R4 and to an event that they were leading two years ago until gear selection problems caused them to forfeit that position, while similarly mounted JOHN STONE/LEE CARTER will be looking to erase the memory of last year when they went out with broken suspension on the opening stage.

TOMMI GRAHAM/MIKE BAILEY were the ‘find’ of the 2007 season when they finished 3rd overall in their Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9. Forced to miss several rounds this year, the pair return in an attempt to improve on their 4th place last time. CHRIS MARSHALL/SIMON HUNTER went one better in their Lancer after an excellent run over the Ranges and their experience could well pay dividends once again.

2006 Championship sponsor MARK WORLEY, co-driven by HAMISH CAMPBELL, won his class (N4) in his Lancer EVO9 twelve months ago with an excellent top ten finish, while 2007 BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series champions ADRIAN SPENCER/MARK HEWITT (Subaru Impreza) return to the scene of their former triumph as MSA Championship contenders as they set about bolstering their second place in Class B13.

Current BTRDA Asphalt Series leaders CHRIS JONES/RICHARD WILLIAMS (Ford Focus STI) will be looking to emulate Spencer/Hewitt’s success by taking the title and, in the absence of their main rivals, it is hard to see them not achieving their goal.

GRAHAM HOLLIS/ASHLEY TRIMBLE (Ford Escort RS) trail Simon Mauger in the battle for ‘Rear-Wheel Drive’ category honours, but a retirement by the leader could possibly alter that, while any problems for Hollis himself may just allow IAN COPPING (Ford Fiesta RWD) to overhaul him in Class B11. Plenty to keep everyone occupied there, then!

GEOFF GLOVER/CHARLIE TURNER have had ‘one of those years’ with their immaculately prepared Vauxhall Astra RWD. Recurring gearbox woes have blighted their progress on a number of occasions, but a good result on their final outing could well elevate them into a top-three class position with which to end the season.

RYAN BORTHWICK/GARY WHITE travel the relatively short distance from their homes in the Scottish Borders to take the start in their Peugeot 206, while consistency from GRAHAM MUTER/STEVE PRINCE in their 1300cc Ford Escort has already assured them of their BTRDA Series class this year.

Class rivals (N3) RICHARD BUTLER/MATT DUBBER (Honda Civic Type ‘R’) and PAUL HAREWOOD/BOB JONES (Vauxhall Astra GSI) meet for the final time this season and, while Butler currently holds the upper hand, each driver’s individual performance could have an effect on the eventual outcome.

Former Scottish Tarmack Rally Champions TRACEY-LOUISE & GARRY MUIR have taken to the MSA Asphalt Championship like ducks to water this year. Even a car change mid-season has not put them off their stride and, having long-since claimed their Championship class, their past experience of the Otterburn Ranges will put them in good stead for yet another good result.

ROLAND JONES and MARTIN NEWSON/PETER MORRIS (both MG ZRs) have been locked in a season-long battle for Class A5 points which could still go either way, as the Austin Seven of brother-and-sister SIMON SELBY/HAYLEY HINDMARSH needs to get some trouble-free mileage under its belt after a fraught BTRDA Series campaign.

The first car leaves the start of the UTS Cheviot National Rally on the Ranges at 8.30am on Sunday 19th October and arrives back at the finish at the Otterburn Hall Hotel at 4.30pm that afternoon.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS!.

Posted: September 9, 2008 6:03 PM

The UTS Cheviot National & Keith Knox Stages Rallies, which take place on the Otterburn Military Ranges on Sunday 19th October, are the final rounds of a number of Championships and, with the winners still to be identified, there will be a great deal at stake as the events unfold.

The Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship reaches its climax on the Cheviot and, after seven rounds dotted all over the UK and Ireland, there are still three drivers in contention for the title. As they head for the north-east, it is 2007 MSA Asphalt Champion - and Cheviot winner! - Steve Simpson who heads the points table in his Hyundai Accent WRC. However, 2006 winner David Kynaston (Audi A3 Quattro) is breathing down his neck and 2003 MSA Gravel Rally Champion David Mann (Subaru Impreza WRC), who has turned his attention to the Asphalt Championship this year, is also within striking distance of both of them. They are all seasoned campaigners in their own right and a fascinating day is in prospect!

Meanwhile, the Keith Knox Stages doubles as the final event in both the Richard Egger Insurance BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series and the Tyrespot North East Tarmacadam Championship. The former is likely to be fought out between Chris Jones (Ford Focus STI), Mark Welch (Ford Escort Cosworth) and Gary Le Coadou (Toyota Celica GT4), while Bob Grant (Subaru Impreza) leads the latter, ahead of John Stone (MG Metro 6R4) and Brett Mitton (Ford Escort).

The Keith Knox is also a counter for the S.G. Petch ANECCC Championship and, although this particular series does not reach its finale until the end of November, the Vauxhall Astra of Richard Cook has already taken four maximum scores and, in so doing, put itself into a strong position at this stage of the proceedings.

Regulations Available

Posted: January 28, 2008 10:44 PM

Cheviot Stages