BIRD DEDICATES RIPONIAN WIN TO HIS MUM...
Posted: February 15, 2010 12:46 PM
Penrith rally driver Paul Bird overcame a number
of dramas to win today's Procter's Luxury Coaches Riponian Stages Rally before
dashing off straight from the finish to be at the bedside of his terminally ill
mother.
Along with Scottish co driver Kirsty Riddick, the pair
ended the 45-mile event nearly a minute and a half to the good over second
placed Tony Thompson and Jon Dunning (Mitsubishi) after wintry conditions played
havoc with tyre choice in the North Yorkshire forests.
Holding second place behind local aces Kevin Procter and
Dave Bellerby's Subaru WRC at first service after six stages, the Rockstar
Energy, www.supercasino.com and Vent-Axia backed
Ford Focus WRC08 pair upped the pace on the second loop and when Procter crashed
out in Wass 2, Bird's task was made so much easier.
Controlling the lead and with the stages clearing of snow,
Bird eased off towards the end to claim a debut victory on Ripon Motor Sport
Club's flagship event and in doing so, claimed his third successive victory in
as many months adding the Coppermines Grizedale Stages in December and last
month's Cartersport Jack Frost Stages Rally to his latest quarry.
However, just before he could celebrate his latest win,
there was a small error of a dubious eight-minute time penalty which was
attributed to him on the final stage but Clerk of the Course Alan Hill and his
team soon had the problem resolved and the Kawasaki World Superbike Racing Team
boss was declared the winner.
"My mum's very poorly now and I was in two minds
as to whether to contest the event but I know that she would have wanted me to
so this one's for her. Things aren't good at all so I'd like to dedicate this to
her for everything she's done for me. It was a really tough rally and it was a
lottery as far as tyre choice was concerned. I was a passenger more often than
not during the first loop and then we made a wrong tyre choice but we made it in
the end. Hard luck to Kevin who would have made it interesting if he'd kept
going but apart from that awkward marshal on the final stage arrival, I'd like
to say thanks to everyone for putting on a great little event. The car ran
faultlessly and thanks to the team, we'll see if we can make it four out of four
on Rallye Sunseeker in two weeks' time," said Bird afterwards.
Photos
Posted: February 15, 2010 12:41 PM
Results
Posted: February 15, 2010 12:34 PM
1. Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick - Ford Focus WRC08 -
42:07
2. Tony Thompson/Jon Dunning - Mitsubishi Evo 9 - 43:36
3. Jonny Milner/Ian Windress - Toyota Corolla WRC - 43:44
4. Miles Johnston/Ian
Bevan - Mitsubishi Evo 8 - 44:53
5. Jeff McNeil/Fred Roberts - Subaru Impreza
- 45:11
6. Reay MacKay/Robert MacDonald - Mitsubishi - 46:24
7. Stephen
Petch/John Richardson - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo - 46:51
8. Curly Haigh/Sally
Peacock - Ford Escort MK1 - 47:02
9. Keith Turner/Steve Ward - Subaru Impreza
- 47:12
10. Nick Cook/Neil Colls - Ford Escort MK1 - 47:34
Riponian Forest Stages Rally (Round 1: HRCR MOTOSCOPE NHRC
Posted: February 8, 2010 11:47 AM
This weekend sees the opening round of the 2010 HRCR MOTOSCOPE Northern Historic Rally Championship.
The Riponian Stages Rally based at Thirsk Auction Mart sees crews tackle 12 forest stages on the forestry commissions gravel surface tracks. With snow still lying in some areas, conditions could be tricky.
18 championship crews are entered for the event which is headed by 2009 champions Charlie Taylor/Steve Bielby in their usual Ford Escort Mk 2. Charlie finished second of the contenders on the 2009 Riponian Rally and will be determined to start the year and the defence of his title with a victory.
Following the 2009 champions will be the first of the newcomers to the championship, Ken Forster/John Stanger-Leathes having competed in the British Historic Series for several years, but have decided to switch to the championship this year instead. Their best result was 1st in class and 9th O/A on the 2006 Roger Albert Clark Rally.
After taking victory in the last round of the 2009 championship, Robin Shuttleworth/Ronnie Roughead start third on the road in their regular Ford Escort Mk 1 RS2000.
Fourth on the road is the second of the newcomers to the championship, Tim Pearcey. Tim who is usually seen competing in a 4WD Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 has now decided to return to rear wheel drive. He has purchased Chris White’s Ford Escort Mk 2 which took Class D5 in last years championship over the winter and with a test scheduled prior to the event should be fired up for a good result.
Roger Kilty/Lynette Banks start at number 6 in their Ford Escort RS1800. After selling his Vauxhall Chevette HSR at the end of last year, Roger debuted the car on the Trackrod Historic Cup and finished a very respectable 5th O/A of the championship crews.
Second overall in the championship in 2009, Pickering's Steve Magson/Geoff Atkinson in the Opel Ascona return to the championship once again. They should be strong contenders on the tarmac rounds after their superb victory on last years Jim Clark Historic Rally.
Bob Bean/Malcolm Smithson also return to the championship this year having taken victory in Category 2. Bob has been rallying for more years than anyone in the championship, but can still be competitive and is certain to be a challenger for awards once again.
Newark’s Jason Lepley registers for the championship in 2010 having taken top points at Chatsworth last year (Round 4). Jason with navigator Howard Pridmore will be aboard his usual Ford Escort RS1800.
Barry Jordan/Jaime Gratton-Smith start at number 10. After joining the series at the MEM Malton Forest Stages they accrued enough points to take victory in Class D3 and are sure to be in the running for a similar result in 2010.
Beverley’s Peter Smith/Russ Langthorne start 2010 with a new car, the Opel Kadett run by Opel Team Birkbeck. Peter, who competed in a Porsche Carrera RS last year swapped to the Opel for the Trackrod and after doing 3 events (Trackrod, MEM Malton Forest Stages and Grizedale) with the car he is hoping for good finishes this year.
The big Triumph TR7 of Preston’s Martin Knapp/Mike Robinson appeared on several events last year and was a crowd favourite. Their best result was 9th O/A on the Premier Historic Rally. They also took 2nd in Class D3.
The third of the newcomers is the Vauxhall Chevette HSR of Tony Thompson/Paul Hudson. Tony has competed on and off since 1974 and competed in this car on the 2009 Roger Albert Clark Rally but did not make the finish, retiring on SS21.
Fourth of the newcomers are Paul/Daniel May who start at number 14 in their Ford Escort Mk 1 Mexico. They competed in the championship in 2006 finishing 3rd O/A. They also finished 3rd in class on the 2009 MEM Malton Forest Stages.
David Thirlwell/Dean Grabham return to the championship in their ‘Old Gold’ replica Ford Escort Mk 1. After taking victory in Class C1 last year they are keen to repeat that success in 2010.
Pontefract’s Ian Coulson/Joe Jones will be back again having returned to rallying in 2009 after 20 years out of it in their ‘Tango TI’. They took Class D2 victory in 2009.
Bringing another Sunbeam to the championship is Mike Kent/Shaun Leggott.
Having registered for the championship at the Chatsworth Rallyshow, John Cockerill enters the Riponian with Jim Goodman navigating.
The final championship crew and also the fifth of the newcomers is Stewart Scott in an Escort RS2000 who is returning to rallying after 35 years away.
Seeded Entry List
Posted: February 6, 2010 11:00 PM
List of Entries to Date:
Posted: January 8, 2010 12:05 PM
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