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Manx National Rally - 5-6 May 06Posted: May 7, 2006 10:36 PM - 9387 Hits
Round 3 - 2006 MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship
Photo: www.roydempster.com Posted: May 7, 2006 10:36 PM
A RECORD BREAKER MCKINSTRY TAKES MANX VICTORY
Roy Dempster Photos PRE EVENT NEWS
04/05/06 STARS SET TO BURN RUBBER ON THE MANX Round three of the ANCRO-organised 2006 MSA Gravel Rally Championship roars into action when a bumper entry takes to the closed-off streets of Port Erin in the Isle of Man for the opening stage of the RBS International Manx Rally. Boasting one of the most impressive entry lists in the event’s recent history, and complimenting the support from new sponsors RBS International, the cream of the British Isles tarmac specialists will do battle around the closed Manx lanes over Friday evening and Saturday. Aiming to win his fourth ‘mini-Manx’ will be Ulsterman Kenny McKinstry along with co-driver Noel Orr in their Subaru Impreza WRC and he’ll be hoping to get further than he did on the opening round of the series when he retired on SS2 of Rallye Sunseeker. Last year’s winners, Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield (Towcester) will be looking for maximum ANCRO points again this year in their trusty Subaru WRC, as will defending champions Paul Bird from Penrith and co driver Ian Windress, also in a Subaru, who have yet to sample outright victory on his beloved Island whereby Bird’s bike racing teams have enjoyed much success over the years at the TT Races. Jointly leading the series going into the championship’s only all-tarmac round are Shildon’s Barry Johnson (Subaru) along with co driver Stewart Merry and Chesterfield businessman Steve Perez who has drafted in Ford works co driver Scott Martin into his Ford Focus WRC. Neither driver are renowned tarmac experts but will be looking for solid points towards their championship challenge. Looking to put last year’s disappointment of retirement behind them are the Hyundai Accent WRC of former champion Marcus Dodd and Isle of Man born co driver Andrew Bargery whilst round one winners Craig Middleton and Robin Hernaman may be out in something different other than their similar car. None-registered competitors who are expected to figure well up the leaderboard include three times Circuit of Ireland winner Derek McGarrity , MSA Ashphalt leader Tony Davies and Newbury’s Steve Fleck (all Subaru WRC’s). Keep an eye out too for the progress of former winner Melvyn Evans (Subaru) and the venerable MG Metro 6R4 challenge of the likes of John Price and John Bogie. The RBS International Manx Rally is also a qualifying round of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Cup which, after two rounds, is led by Tony Thompson from County Durham in his Lancer EVO8 but right behind him is Anthony Willmington from Godmanstone who will be hoping to overhaul Thompson as the event progresses. Wyn Humphries leads The Subaru Group N Trophy following victory last time out in a snowy Keilder Forest and he’ll be chased hard by round one winner Alistair Tough whilst in the Total Motorsport Solutions Peugeot 206 Super Cup, County Fermanagh’s Declan Magee heads the way. Local interest on the event centres on Robbie Watson from Greeba and co driver Rob Fagg who managed a top ten placing last year in their two wheel drive Vauxhall Nova Kit Car and expect local knowledge to help the likes of Nigel Cannell, Steve Quine and Shaun Fox who crashed out on SS1 last year. More details on the event can be found at www.manxrally.org and information on the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship is listed at www.gravelrally.co.uk. Results can be found at www.ancro.info The first car leaves the start of the RBS International Manx Rally in Port Erin at 7.00pm on Friday 5th May. After completion of the first four special stages, including a 21-miler in part-darkness, competitors return to the TT Grandstand for an overnight halt. The second leg begins at 8.45am on Saturday morning and, ten stages later, the podium finish and traditional champagne-spraying are back at the Grandstand at 4.30pm in the afternoon. PEREZ TEAMS UP WITH MARTIN IN SEARCH OF MANX SUCCESS 2004 ANCRO National Rally Champion Steve Perez is hoping to consolidate his championship challenge when the RBS International Manx Rally gets underway in Douglas on Friday evening (5th May). The VK Vodka Kick driver jointly leads the 2006 series after two rounds and is hoping that his recent Rally Catalunya experience will stand him in good stead for the super-fast tarmac lanes of the Isle of Man as he goes in search of his first victory on the Island. But Perez has just unveiled a secret weapon to help him and the ex Dani Sola Ford Focus WRC 05 steal a march on his rivals by engaging the services of former Ford works co-driver Scott Martin for the remainder of the seven round series. Martin made his name partnering Matthew Wilson up until their huge smash last year but with Perez’s involvement with the Stobart VK rally team and the British Rally Elite – of which Martin is a member – the Chesterfield businessman feels confident of success: “Scott knows the car very well and has gained lots of experience in recent times with Matthew. He’s delighted to be back in a Ford Focus WRC again and it will also stand him in good stead for the future. We have high hopes for the Manx and having learned so much in Spain, I can’t wait to put myself to the test again although the roads are slightly different. There’s a very strong entry but the main thing is to come away with as many ANCRO points as possible and I’m intending to raise my game accordingly” said Perez. The first car leaves the start of the RBS International Manx Rally in Port Erin at 7.00pm on Friday 5th May. After completion of the first four special stages, including a 21-miler in part-darkness, competitors return to the TT Grandstand for an overnight halt. The second leg begins at 8.45am on Saturday morning and, ten stages later, the podium finish and traditional champagne-spraying are back at the Grandstand at 4.30pm in the afternoon. 25/04/06 Full Entry list on: 04/04/06 Kenny McKinstry and Noel Orr are one of the early entries for the Manx National rally. Details on: 14/03/06 120 stage miles on some of Europe's fastest tarmac stages 4 stages on Friday evening followed with a further 10 on Saturday Regulations and Entry form on:
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Manx National
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