Official video of the 2013 Roger Albert Clark Rally. The last complete rally film from the late great David Winstanley
Roger Albert Clark Rally on TV this Friday! - 28 Feb 14
Posted: February 27, 2014 5:02 PM
The television coverage of the 2013 Roger Albert Clark Rally (8-10 November) will be screened on Motors TV on Friday (28 February) starting at 6.55pm.
The two-hour programme will cover the full story of this remarkable three-day adventure, which was won by Steve Bannister and Kevin Rae after over 160 stage miles in Yorkshire, Kielder and the Scottish borders.
It is hugely poignant that the programme, which was filmed and edited by the late David Winstanley, will be screened on the day that the very popular rally film maker is being laid to rest following his death on 18 February.
Not only did David film and edit the story of the tenth Roger Albert Clark Rally, he was also a competitor as he returned to driving in a BMW from the Rally Prep stable after a gap of four years. Although David retired in Pundershaw, he was elated at the chance to get back behind the wheel of a rally car.
“This will be a bitter-sweet programme in many ways,” said rally manager Colin Heppenstall. “David was such an integral part of the whole story of the Roger Albert Clark Rally and he will be greatly missed by all of us who love this rally. However, having the programme broadcast on the day of his funeral seems an appropriate tribute and I’m sure David would have approved of this with his usual sense of humour.”
New plans for filming of the 2014 West Wales Rally Spares R.A.C. Rally Championship are now well advanced. The coverage of the 2014 Red Kite Stages has been postponed from its original broadcast date (also scheduled for Friday 28 February), and a revised schedule will be published shortly.
After a successful season which culminated in winning his class on last month's Cambrian Rally, triple British champion Steve Perez saw his hopes of a good result end on the very first stage of this weekend's Roger Albert Clark Rally.
Driving the Amigos Tequila-flavoured beer branded Lancia Stratos which he was sharing with Welshman Paul Spooner, the pair were hopeful of a good result on the three day event but sadly it came to nothing when they slid off the road on Friday's opening stage in Dalby Forest.
The high speed accident ripped off the passenger door and left Spooner nursing arm injuries which needed a hospital check up prior to getting the all clear and the impact also damaged the internal cage structure. However, whereas for most that would have spelled the end of the rally, Perez had other ideas and immediately set about getting the car repaired to feature in the rest of the event.
Having recovered the car back to their Castleford base, the BTR preparation team worked throughout the night on Friday to repair the car which included fitting a new door and roll cage component whilst Steve seconded the services of co-driver Mike Reynolds, who had also retired the night before, to replace the injured Spooner.
The following morning, Perez, who was competing on his tenth successive RAC Rally, left Pickering to run as course car given he was out of the event and throughout Saturday, entertained the massive crowds running first on the road in the iconic 1974 machine. Setting competitive times, the Clay Cross driver continued into Sunday but sadly on the fourth stage of the day, he broke a driveshaft which ended his weekend finally.
"I always look forward to the RAC Rally and to crash out on the opening stage was a massive disappointment. The crown of the road just caught us out and we had a big impact with some logs at the side which ripped Paul's door off and he hurt his arm. Once I knew Paul was OK, we set about seeing if we could repair the car as there are hundreds of marshals as well as the thousands of spectators who we have an obligation to and thanks to the BTR team, they worked through the night to fix it. I asked Mike if he'd co-drive as he retired on SS1 also and with Paul's approval, we set about having some fun for the rest of the event but sadly that ended when the driveshaft broke after four stages on Sunday. Hopefully, I'll have some better luck on the Safari Rally later this month."
The Kenya Airways East African Safari Classic Rally takes place between 21st and 29th November 2013 whereby Steve will contest the event in his Amigos Tequila-flavoured beer branded Datsun 260Z for a fourth time, whereby he has seconded legendary co-driver John Millington into action.
No Driver/Co-Driver (Car) [Class]
1 Stefaan Stouf/Joris Erard (Ford Escort RS1600) [C5]
2 Matthew Robinson/Sam Collis (Ford Escort Mk2) [D5]
3 Matt Edwards/Will Rogers (Ford Escort) [D5]
4 Jason Tauber Pritchard/John Millington (Ford Escort RS 1800) [E5]
5 Tomas Davies/Eurig Davies (Ford Escort) [D5]
6 Tim Pearcey/Neil Shanks (Ford Escort RS1800) [D5]
7 Rob Smith/Alun Cook (Ford Escort RS) [E5]
8 Owen Murphy /James O'Brien (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus) [D4]
9 Allan McDowall/Gavin Heseltine (Ford Escort RS 180) [D5]
10 Steve Perez/Paul Spooner (Lancia Stratos) [E4]
11 Jeremy Easson/Mike Reynolds (Datsun 240Z) [C4]
12 Paul Griffiths/Richard Wardle (Ford RS1800 Escort) [D5]
14 Seamus O'Connell/Paul Wakely (Ford Escort MK2 BDA) [D5]
15 Richard Lepley/Andy Richardson (Ford Escort RS1800) [D5]
16 Phil Squires /Mick Squires (Ford Escort RS1800) [D5]
17 Tim Mason/Graham Wild (Porsche 911 RS) [C4]
18 Charlie Taylor/Steve Bielby (Ford Escort) [D5]
19 Meirion Evans/Iwan Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) [D5]
20 Guy Woodcock/Graham Dance (Ford Escort RS2000) [D3]
22 Peter Smith/Patrick Walsh (Ford Escort MK1) [C5]
23 Ben Mellors/Alex Lee (Ford Escort Mk2) [D3]
24 Theo Bengry/Les Forsbrook (Ford Escort Mk 2) [E5]
25 Chris Browne/Ali Cornwell-Browne (Ford Escort RS1600) [C5]
26 Barry Jordan/James Gratton-Smith (Ford Escort) [C5]
27 Phil Jobson/Ali Proctor (Ford Escort Mk1) [C3]
28 Nick Jarvis/Craig Thorley (Ford Escort) [C5]
29 Bas Jansen/Ruud van den Houdt (Ford Escort MK2) [D3]
30 Rodger Mark Fowler/Chris Dewsnap (Ford Escort Mk2) [D5]
31 Steve Graham/Tony Graham (Lancia Fulvia) [C1]
33 Falko Jansen/Franz Götz (Talbot Sunbeam) [E3]
34 John McIlwraith/Andy Irving (Ford Escort RS2000) [D3]
35 James Stait/Glyn Thomas (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus) [D4]
36 David Lucking/Paul Garside (Ford Escort MK2) [D3]
37 Dave Forrest/Charlie Carter (Ford Escort Mk2) [D3]
38 Peter Egerton/Jamie Edwards (Ford Escort) [E5]
39 Jerry Bailey/Graham Lacey (Ford Escort RS) [D5]
40 Armand Adriaans/Anne Marie Magis (Datsun 240 z) [C4]
42 Stewart Scott/Mark Casey (Ford Escort RS2000) [C3]
43 Ceiriog Hughes/Emyr Hall (SAAB 96 V4) [C3]
44 Kim Baker/Paul Heath (Ford Escort Mk1) [C3]
51 Bob Bean/Malcolm Smithson (Ford Lotus Cortina) [B4]
52 David Watkins/Paul Train (Ford Escort) [C2]
53 Darren Grimston/Tony Walker (Ford Escort Mexico) [C2]
54 Ian Beveridge/Peter Joy (Volvo PV544) [B4]
55 Paul Kendrick/Anton Bird (Ford Escort) [C2]
56 David John Goose/Robert H Oldershaw (Ford Escort 1600) [D2]
57 Colin Wilkinson/John Stanger-Leathes (Hillman Avenger) [C2]
58 John Everard/Mark Sharpley (Alfa Romeo 1600 Junior GT) [B4]
59 Mark Schmidt/Vincent Spijker (Austin Healey 3000) [B5]
60 Nykle Meijer/Fons Gosgens (Austin-Healey MK III) [B5]
61 Chris Skill/Garry Middleton (Ford Escort 1600 Sport) [D2]
62 Jim Valentine/Jonathan Lodge (Saab 96 Sport Two Stroke) [B1]
63 Stephen Higgins/Ronnie Roughead (SAAB 96 2 Stroke) [B1]
65 Martyn Charles Hawkswell/Nick Welch (Ford Escort RS) [G4]
66 Dave Hemingway/Simon Ashton (Ford Escort) [G4]
67 Barry Stevenson-Wheeler/John Pickavance (Ford Escort RS) [G4]
68 Raj Jutley/Richard Hage (Ford Escort MK1) [G4]
69 Andy Madge/Pat Cooper (Toyota Corolla Gt Coupe) [G3]
70 Colin Hope/Nick Patrick (Ford Focus) [G4]
71 David Winstanley/Brynmor Pierce (BMW 320i) [G5]
72 David Rawlings/Philip Weston (Porsche 911) [G5]
73 Malcolm Davey/Paul Slingsby (Ford Escort Mk1) [G3]
74 Robert Evett/Simon Lassam (Vauxhall Nova SRI) [G2]
75 Mark Dickinson/Ken Sturdy (Rover 200) [G2]
Owen Murphy/James O'Brien for RAC
Posted: October 24, 2013 9:04 AM
We hear regular complaints that there are just too many Escorts in our Historic rallying events. No complaints of it being boring, just repetitive, but one man is on a crusade to change all that, London based Waterford man John Leahy.
John owns the well known ex-Russell Brooks/Andrews Sunbeam Lotus and for a number of years has invited celebrities to drive the car at various promotional events. For the 2013 Roger Albert Clark Rally John has taken a big step forward in offering the car to leading Irish gravel driver and Cork man Owen Murphy. Murphy, 26, was the 2011 Irish Forestry champion, and in his Mitsubishi Evo 9 finished runner up this year only missing out by one point to a WRC Focus and could just be the dark horse in the three day event and the first person to put a non-Escort on the podium.
The talented Murphy, a former winner of the prestigious Billy Coleman award for young Irish drivers, has tested the Sunbeam at Walters Arena before tackling the Neath Valley Stages RAC Championship round this year to gauge the competition in readiness for the RAC. Though Owen has not been seen in the UK forests for some years he has in the past competed in the various British one make series so Kielder and Dalby will not be unfamiliar. He has a huge advantage with the vastly experienced James O'Brien on the maps. O'Brien, famous, or should it be infamous for his somewhat unusual pace note reading when co-driving for multiple International rally winner Andrew Nesbitt, is no stranger to UK gravel with experience as far back as with Austin McHale in the halcyon days of the BRC. They are not out just to make up the numbers.
Every major component the iconic ex-works Sunbeam has been rebuilt prior to the Roger Albert Clark Rally with famed former WRC engine builder Phil Davidson having ministered to the 250 bhp motor. To ensure that Murphy and O'Brien can focus totally on a top result Peter Scott, former leading Irish professional co-driver and now a Yorkshire resident for many years, has been brought in as Team Manager for the event. His recent experience of the stages used for the Roger Albert Clark Rally will be invaluable. Backing for this outing comes from Hankook Tyres and Leahy's Construction information management company Zutec Technologies Limited (A world leader in BIM for Construction) www.zutec.com and also from a new company set up by Leahy to remanufacture Lotus Sunbeam parts to enable more drivers to choose a car other than an Escort and be competitive.
2013 Roger Albert Clark Rally support events unveiled
Posted: September 30, 2013 11:53 AM
Three individual rallies will support the 2013 Roger Albert Clark Rally, (8-10 November) and will offer some of the most cost effective forest rallying in Britain this season, with entry fees from as low as £7.43 per mile.
The support rallies all offer competitors a chance to be part of what many people regard as the best rally of the season, as well as the opportunity to tackle classic stages in Yorkshire and the Scottish borders.
“I’m keen to see local crews come and join us to sample the flavour and atmosphere of the Roger Albert Clark Rally,” said Rally Manager Colin Heppenstall. “I have tried to make the support rallies as user friendly as I can with compact routes and very attractive entry fees.”
The three support events for the 2013 Roger Albert Clark Rally are:
The Peregrine Print Rally
33 stage miles; entry free £250 (cost per mile £7.58)
Based at the Pickering event headquarters, the Peregrine Print Rally will take in classic Yorkshire forest tests in a very compact route on Friday. The chance to tackle night stages in Dalby makes this a rare opportunity for crews looking for a very good value rally. The Peregrine Print Rally will finish at Pickering on Friday night after 33 stage miles and minimal road mileage. These cars will run first on the road, ahead of the main Roger Albert Clark Rally.
The Clubman’s Rally
37 stage miles; entry fee £350 (cost per mile £9.46)
Based near Newcastleton, the Clubman’s Rally runs through Sunday over stages in Kershope, Newcastleton, Riccarton and Craik as well as the new Florida stage before finishing in Hawick. The rally starts at 10am on Sunday and finishes at 2pm.
The Return Challenge
37 stage miles; entry fee £350 (Cost per mile £9.46)
The Return Challenge runs on Sunday, starting from Hawick and taking in stages in Craik and Wauchope as well as the Florida stage before concluding in Kershope. The first car will start at 2.30pm on Sunday and finish at 5.30pm. As an added incentive, the organisers are offering a significant reduction in the entry fee for the Return Challenge if competitors also enter the Clubmans Rally, offering 74 stage miles for just £550 (cost per mile £7.43). A £200 refund will be issued if competitors retire on the Clubman’s Rally and cannot compete on the Return Challenge.
For more details about the Roger Albert Clark Rally, and its support rallies, please visit
Details of the 2013 Roger Albert Clark Rally have been unveiled as championship regulations are published ahead of the tenth anniversary running of the rally on 8-10 November.
More stage miles on Friday evening, more Kielder mileage on Saturday and a big sting in the tail are the key route features of the 2013 event.
For the tenth anniversary rally, the event will start from the showground at Pickering on Friday and cover 35 miles in Dalby forest during the first evening. Saturday’s leg takes in double runs at spectator stages at Duncombe Park and Croft before a stage in Hamsterley and 25 stage miles in the main block of Kielder on the way to an overnight halt in Carlisle.
Sunday’s leg of over 80 stage miles will be similar to the 2012 route, which drew widespread acclaim as a tough day in the Scottish borders before the ceremonial finish at Brampton near Carlisle.
“We want to build on the success of last year’s compact format,” said rally manager Colin Heppenstall. “The regulations are now out and we have a discount entry fee until the end of August. We’ve had a lot of interest already and a lot of new foreign crews have been making contact with a view to entering.”
Heppenstall says that a new layout for the Duncombe Park stage will be very spectator friendly and that the cars will arrive at Croft much earlier on Saturday than before, with the first stage from around 11am following a major service area. The full route is:
Friday 8 November
Start from Pickering Showground at 17.30
SS1 Dalby 1
SS2 Newclose Rigg 1
SS3 Staindale 1
SS4 Dalby 2
SS5 Newclose Rigg 2
SS6 Staindale 2
Finish at Pickering Showground at 22.00
Saturday 9 November
Start from Pickering Showground at 08.15
SS7 Duncombe Park 1
SS8 Duncombe Park 2
SS9 Croft 1
SS10 Croft 2
SS11 Hamsterley
SS12 Pundershaw 1
SS13 Hope House 1
SS14 Pundershaw 2
SS15 Hope House 2
Finish at Carlisle at 19.00
Sunday 10 November
Start from Carlisle at 07.45
SS16 Glen Dhu
SS17 Newcastleton
SS18 Florida 1
SS19 Riccarton
SS20 Craik 1
SS21 Craik 2
SS22 Wauchope
SS23 Florida 2
SS24 Kershope
Finish at Brampton at 17.00
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