Perez Claims Victory On The Quinton and Now Heads The Championship
Posted: July 12, 2010 10:25 AM
Former British National and Historic rally champion Steve Perez claimed victory on today's Quinton Stages rally making it two wins in a row in the Silverstone Tyres Gold Star BTRDA Rally Series.
Perez, from Chesterfield, and Welsh co-driver Paul Spooner, were competing in the sixth round of series in their ex-Marcus Gronholm Ford Focus WRC. Right from the start they were involved in an extremely close battle with Andy Burton with only seconds separating them.
On stage four, Perez really started pushing, taking ten seconds out of Burton's time and moving them to the head of the leaderboard. Burton retired on stage five leaving Championship leader Roger Chilman to take up the chase but Perez was able to increase his lead by winning the remaining stages.
With Chilman retiring in sight of the flying finish on the last stage it means that the maximum points for the win take Perez and Spooner to the top of the Championship table with only two rounds to go.
"We were enjoying a close battle with Andy Burton in the early stages and I was really sorry to see him retire with mechanical problems. Once I knew Andy was out I just concentrated on bringing the car home, the stages were fantastic and the car ran perfectly and with maximum points it has moved us to the top of the table" said Steve.
The next round of the Championship is the Woodpecker Stages Rally based in Ludlow on 4th September.
Photos
Posted: July 12, 2010 10:24 AM
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Results
Posted: July 12, 2010 10:20 AM
1 Steve Perez/Paul Spooner (Ford Focus WRC) 0:44:30
2 James Belton/Eurig Evans (Subaru Impreza WRC) 0:45:59
3 Patrick Naylor/Ian Lawrence (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 0:47:00
4 Paul Davy/Roger Allan (Subaru Impreza) 0:47:08
5 Gary Cooper/Jon Riley (Subaru Impreza) 0:47:23
With only two more rounds of the BTRDA Rally Series remaining after next weekend’s Quinton Stages Rally, leading competitors in all categories are starting to look at the mathematical possibilities that could accrue from dropped scores and are doubtless thinking, “If I got a good score on the Quinton that would mean……” Competitors count their best six scores from eight starts.
At the top of the Gold Star standings, Roger Chilman Jr holds a twenty-point lead over Tristan Bailey and both are looking forward to adding to their tally over the classic gravel roads on and around the Epynt Ranges. But they are likely to be severely challenged by past winners of the event – one who is looking for his sixth victory! 2008 winner Steve Perez in his Kick Energy Ford Focus WRC was the winner of the last BTRDA round – the Dukeries Rally – and is looking to add to his points’ tally as he lies in third place in the table, only 6 points behind Bailey. But the real challenge will come from ‘Quinton-meister’ Andrew Burton, who is “moving heaven and earth” to get his car ready following engine problems on the Dukeries that caused his retirement after setting a succession of fastest stage times. Although his hopes of the title virtually disappeared at that point, the arch-rivalry between Perez and Burton looks set to be rejoined.
But then there are a host of others challenging for podium places and waiting for others to falter including Glyn Jarman, Andrew Barnes and James Belton. It is a great shame that Charlie Payne has had to withdraw his entry following a family bereavement, as his recent 2nd place on the Dukeries displayed the excellent form he is in. As an outside bet, Shaun Gardener always goes well on the QSR, despite his outright pace being somewhat less than the fearsome WRC machines.
On the Silver Star front, former champion and long-standing Quinton Stages’ enthusiast Jon Ballinger will be seeking to extend his current 12-point lead over Dale Owen, who is in turn just 4 points clear of Owen Le Roy and a further 7 points ahead of Pete Elkins, who was first 2-WD car home on the Dukeries. So, another successful outing on the Mid-Wales event for Ballinger could see the Herefordshire man in a strong position when dropped scores are taken into account, but, then again, the challenge from the rest of the two-wheel drive field is impressively strong.
With Terry Brown, the winner of the Classic Motor Show Trophy for the last two years, taking up the historics’ challenge on the Rally Isle of Man, a new name will be engraved on the Clarion Events-presented trophy this year and a host of quick Mini drivers will be challenging for that distinction, along with the Escorts of John Taylor and Gwilym Roberts.
As far as the 1400s class is concerned, there is no doubt that the tragic death of front-runner Martyn Lewis on the Dukeries will be clouding everyone’s mind. As a mark of respect and in memory of Martyn, this year's event will not run a Car 201 as Martyn and his brother Richard won the 1400 section on last year’s event and would have been allocated this number and led away the field from Llandovery this year. In response to a request from his fellow competitors, there will be a minute's silence at MC0 at 08:31 when Martyn and Richard would have started the event. For those not able to attend at MC0, the Organising Team is inviting everyone on the event to stop what they are doing at that time and pause for a moment in what they hope will be a fitting tribute.
Currently tied for first place in the Millers Oils 1400 BTRDA Championship are Matt Edwards and Darren Pinchin and they will be fighting it out all the way, whilst third-placed Roy Gravestock will be looking to make up his 7-point deficit in the standings.
Trying to keep hot on the heels of these ace 1400 pilots will be Quinton’s usual host of Rally First entrants, doubtless deriving benefit from the advice and support of legendary co-driver Nicky Grist, who is again this year acting as their mentor. Nicky’s ‘Stars of the Day’ from last year, Dave Bennett and Alister McNeil, who lifted The Andreas Mikkelsen Trophy to mark their achievement, have moved on to the 1.4S class, and so it will be left Mick Smith, Stephen Brown and Martin Copcutt who are currently leading the series, to defend their positions against all the others who are starting out on their rally careers through this beginners’ class.
The Quinton Organising Team is looking forward to welcoming all competitors to the Llandovery start. With so much to play for, the Quinton Stages promises to be a superb contest at all levels as the crews rise to the challenge of the legendary WRC stages based on and around the magical Epynt Ranges. All are doubtless salivating at the prospect of Stage 1 – ‘Dixies’ – an 11.36 mile monster, starting in the twisty Halfway Forest and then coming out on to the Ranges, across the infamous Dixies junction and straight on to the unique challenge of the blast across Route 60. Widely regarded as one of the top stages on Rally GB, this is the first time that clubmen have had the chance to take on this enormous challenge, which should get the event off to a gripping start.
The event is also a round of the AB Motorsport Heart of England Rally Championship, the ANWCC Forest Rally and Historic Stage Rally Championships and the S1000 Rally Championship. Additionally, there is an extra special welcome this year to competitors in The In Car Services Welsh Clubmans Rally Championship and The HRCR Historic Stage Rally Challenge (supported by TR Enterprises) incorporating the Mini Cup. Competition promises to be fierce throughout the field as contenders vie to improve their championships’ standings. The Quinton Stages is an event not to be missed!
Regulations / Entry Form Available
Posted: May 11, 2010 2:43 PM
Regulations available from the Competitors page on:
Ever-popular with competitors, officials, marshals and spectators alike, details of the 30th QSR to be held on 10th July are about to be launched. Utilising nearly 45 miles of classic Mid-Wales stages on and around the Epynt Ranges, this year’s anniversary event builds on the much-welcomed compact format of last year, offering extraordinarily low road mileage and the opportunity to tackle the famous Rally GB stages – for an entry fee held at the same level for the 3rd year running!
Always a leading event in the BTRDA Rally Series, this year’s QSR is again a round of the usual regional championships – with the addition in 2010 of the Welsh Clubmans’ Championship and the HRCR Historic Stage Rally Challenge.
The introduction of a Historics’ category three years ago and supported by Clarion Events has proved very popular and competitors have fought hard to win the Classic Motor Show Trophy. Clarion is pleased to support the class again in 2010, whilst promoting the Footman James Classic Motor Show at the NEC on 12th to 14th November.
Over recent years, the Quinton has had huge success in encouraging newcomers into the sport and again this year we offer great incentives for forest first-timers and those in their first year of rallying – as well as the support and guiding hand of Nicky Grist, probably the world’s most famous co-driver!
To top it all, we have a big surprise up our sleeves for this year’s competitors – a unique challenge for club crews on probably the most famous rally stage in the UK. Details will be revealed over the next two months.
Regulations for the event will be posted on the event website from 10th May and will be posted to registered championship contenders in the days leading up to that.
The rally will once again warmly welcome marshals to help in the running of this “great day’s rallying”. Chief Marshal can be contacted via qsr.marshals@qmc.org.uk
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