Manx National - 7-8 May 10

MSA ASPHALT RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP - COLE ON THE MARK!…

Posted: May 10, 2010 9:03 PM

3rd place overall on the Manx Telecom Rally at the weekend gave DAMIAN COLE & CRAIG DREW their first maximum points score in the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship. Apart from requiring a clutch change, their Ford Focus WRC behaved faultlessly to open the pair’s account in the points table in the best possible way.

After 120 miles of stages on the closed public roads on the Isle of Man, JOHN STONE/LEE CARTER were less than a minute behind them in their Skoda Fabia WRC. Still on a steep learning curve with his recently-acquired car, Stone now leads the MSA Asphalt Championship and this fine drive earned him the ‘John Horton Motorsport Management Star Performance’ salver for his efforts.

Due to the non-availability of their Hyundai Accent WRC, fellow Legend Motorsport team-mates MARK JASPER/DON WHYATT wheeled out their trusty MG Metro 6R4 for the trip to the Isle of Man. In comparison with it World Rally Car rivals, the 6R4’s wheelbase is a bit short for the yumps and bumps of the roads over there but, nevertheless, a Top 10 finish puts them right behind Stone/Carter in the points table.

DAVE PRICE/MARK MASON put a miserable opening round behind them to take 3rd points in their Ford Escort Mk6, arriving back at the TT Grandstand finish just ahead of the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO5 of CHRIS MARSHALL/SIMON HUNTER who are lying in 3rd place in the points table.

ROGER DONNAN, who finished 2nd overall in the 2009 MSA Asphalt Championship in his Ford Puma S1600, rejoined the series on the Isle of Man. With CHRIS DAVIES reading the notes, the pair put up a strong showing which earned them a class win. They were ahead of fellow 1600cc runners ROD BENNETT/HENRY RICHARDSON when the latter crew were sidelined when their Fiat Punto S1600 suffered hub failure during the Saturday morning stages. CHRIS RICE/NICK CHAPMAN were one of a couple of crews to be thankful that the MSA Asphalt Championship points were based on the results at the end of the penultimate stage (the National ‘B’ rally) as, having completed the required distance, their Group N Subaru Impreza ground to a halt on the final test with driveshaft failure. Phew!...

By recording their first finish of the season, JIM SHARP/AMY MACKINNON (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO) fared better than their neighbours from the Scottish Borders, DAVID HARDIE/JOHN McCULLOCH, whose Subaru Impreza succumbed to fuel pump failure with two stages to go.

GRAHAM MUTER/STEVE HALLMARK were contesting the first event since their Escort was fitted with a 1300cc BDA engine. 2nd in class gave them top points in the MSA Championship to add to those gained on Epynt – nice! Also taking a finish were ROLAND JONES/KATE GAMEZ in their MG ZR, erasing the disappointment of their 2009 visit to the Isle of Man which resulted in nil points!

On the subject of DNFs, in addition to those already mentioned, 2008 Asphalt Champions DAVID KYNASTON/ANDY RUSSELL were subjected to the proverbial ‘early bath’ after an electrical problem forced their Audio A3 Quattro out during the Friday night leg. GEOFF GLOVER/BOB BROWN lasted until Saturday before one of their Vauxhall Astra’s ball joints let them down.

NEAL ARDEN/GILES CORBETT had re-prepared their Ford Escort after retiring on the Tour of Epynt in readiness for the Manx Telecom Rally, only to go out of the main event with suspension failure on the Friday evening. They can take some consolation, however, for readying the car in time for the ‘Restarters’ event, on the Saturday, which they went on to win!

A three-week break sees the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship moving up to Kelso for the Jim Clark National Rally on 28th/29th May.

Video Clips

Posted: May 8, 2010 11:36 PM

BIRD/RIDDICK VICTORIOUS ON MANX TELECOM RALLY

Posted: May 8, 2010 11:23 PM

Following his inaugural victory last year in his eighth year of trying, Penrith rally driver Paul Bird successfully retained his Manx Telecom Rally title with a convincing victory around the tricky lanes of the Isle of Man this weekend.

The 2005 ANCRO Champion has had lots of success around the world-famous TT course with his various bike racing teams over the years, including the legendary Joey Dunlop winning his 26th and final TT on one of Bird's bikes in 2000, but up until last year had never won on the hallowed Manx lanes himself despite coming close on numerous occasions.

But for a second year running, he put those demons to rest with a comfortable victory for him and Scottish co driver Kirsty Riddick in their Dom Buckley Motorsport-prepared Ford Focus WRC 08 to make it two wins on the trot but it wasn't without its dramas.

Although he led throughout from the very first stage, he was under intense pressure from defending British Rally Champion Keith Cronin who ran him close until he retired his Subaru on the penultimate stage and allowed Bird to take the victory by a comfortable three minutes and twenty seconds after the two-day event.

Indeed, the winning margin could have been higher had it not been for the Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team boss beating the stage bogey on five of the fifteen tests, such were the speeds in the dry conditions but in the end he was pleased with the performance.

After crossing the Douglas finish ramp, Bird said: "We had a problem with the clutch for a couple of stages but apart from that and beating the bogey on some stages, including one by over thirty seconds, we've had a good run. I must pay tribute to Keith Cronin who drove brilliantly in a Group N car and was sad to see him go out as he's very much a future World Champion and I'm very impressed with his performance. The Manx has a special place in my heart so it's wonderful to come here and win again; this is very special as I've not had the best of times just recently. This is hopefully a good omen for the forthcoming Barbados Rally which I desperately want to win so that's the next task later this month but for now, I'm taking the team out for a few beers as they've done a fantastic job as always."

TESTING TIMES FOR TEG SPORT ON MANX RALLY

Posted: May 8, 2010 11:14 PM

The Pirelli TEG Sport Rally Team endured a fraught time and frustrating end to a testing weekend on this weekend's Manx Telecom Rally when Scottish driver Euan Thorburn crashed out on Friday night and Irish talent Keith Cronin retired from second overall with one stage to go.

The Carnforth-based team had entered the two-day Manx event with one goal and that was to gain experience of their TEIN Suspension over the notoriously bumpy lanes that comprise the Island as they prepare for the next three tarmac rounds of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship.

23-year-old Scottish Group N Champion Euan Thorburn and co driver Paul Beaton had an early end to their second ever visit to the Island when the pair were caught out on a notoriously bumpy section midway through the third stage on Friday night. Thorburn lost control of his Subaru Impreza at an estimated 125mph with catastrophic results and whilst both crew members were uninjured, the previously pristine Impreza was badly damaged.

By contrast, team-mate and defending British Rally Champion and winner of the Pirelli Star Driver shoot-out in 2009, Keith Cronin, along with co driver Barry McNulty, enjoyed a very constructive weekend. Whilst the main intention was to work on set up, Cronin was still at his best, dominating Group N and lying second overall for most of the event and setting a number of fastest stage times. However, two stages from the end of the 15-stage rally, 23-year-old Cronin's Impreza stepped out on a medium speed corner and the Irishman clipped a tree, bending a rear bottom arm and ultimately retiring to save further damage to the car.

Stuart Newby - TEG Sport Team Principal:
"This weekend might look like a bit of a disaster but we actually have a lot of positives to take away from this event. Ignoring Keith's amazing stage times, our main objective was to work on the suspension settings. Our partners TEIN had flown one of their top technicians out from Japan purely to test some new components and by the end of the event we had found a very good base setting. What happened with Euan was just silly. He knew that we were here to test and not to race but his youthfulness got the better of him. The car is fairly extensively damaged and it's doubtful that we will have it ready in time for the Jim Clark, which is very unfortunate."

The next round of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship takes place on 28/29th May with the Jim Clark International Rally based in Kelso.

Photos

Posted: May 8, 2010 11:12 PM

Geoff Mayes Media

Full Results & Times

Posted: May 8, 2010 11:05 PM

1. Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick (Ford Focus WRC) 1:38:16.2
2. Steven Quine/Richard Skinner (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) 1:41:36.5
3. Damian Cole/Craig Drew (Ford Focus WRC) 1:42:17.7
4. Jonathon Greer/Dai Roberts (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 GpN) 1:42:18.9
5. Graham Coffey/David Gamblin (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1:42:51.4
6. Andrew Leece/Graham Fargher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) 1:43:22.3
7. John Stone/Lee Carter (Skoda Fabia WRC) 1:43:23.8
8. Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt (MG Metro 6R4) 1:44:18.9
9. Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Escort Mk2) 1:44:46.7
10. Martyn Jones/Maurice Snell (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) 1:45:19.4

Full Results & Times - National Rally

Full Results & Times - Trophy Rally

Full Results & Times - Saturday Runners

Results: Tynemouth Computer Services Rally Results

MSA ASPHALT RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP - THE BEST ‘MAN’ FOR THE JOB!…

Posted: April 29, 2010 11:40 AM

The second round of the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship takes contenders on the annual trip to the Isle of Man for the Manx Telecom Rally which has been voted the ‘Best Event’ in the Series for the past four years.

The leading Championship contenders on this occasion will be DAVID KYNASTON/ANDY RUSSELL in their Audi A3 Quattro. They posted a retirement on the Manx last year but were 4th overall on the event in 2008 on the way to what was their second MSA Championship title. A problem with the car on the opening round of the 2010 series on the Epynt Ranges leaves them looking for a good result to get their campaign back on track.

DAMIAN COLE/CRAIG DREW are right behind the Audi in their Ford Focus WRC and, similarly, were forced to retire last time out. Consequently, sight of the finish ramp would also be a great confidence-booster for these two. Cole is no stranger to the Isle of Man, but this will be his first visit with the Focus. Previous outings have been at the wheel of a Metro 6R4, a Darrian, a Hyundai Accent and a Group N Mitsubishi Lancer EVO5 – his most successful result coming in the latter.

Legend Motorsport team-mates JOHN STONE/LEE CARTER (Skoda Fabia WRC) and MARK JASPER/DON WHYATT (Hyundai Accent WRC) take the No.7&8 slots respectively – Stone was 6th on the Tour of Epynt while Jasper, who was using his MG Metro 6R4 for that event, was 7th.

2009 MSA Asphalt Group N Rally Champion CHRIS RICE and co-driver NICK CHAPMAN are making the trip with their Subaru Impreza, but 2008 BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series winner CHRIS JONES and Laxey-based co-driver ASHLEY TRIMBLE have had to withdraw as their Ford Focus STI is still awaiting some engine parts.

CHRIS MARSHALL/SIMON HUNTER (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO5) have considerable experience of the super-fast stages on the Isle of Man – not all good but a finish on the 2009 event will put them in confident mood for this one. Two crews venturing across from Scotland are DAVID HARDIE/JOHN MCCULLOCH (Subaru Impreza) and JIM SHARP/AMY MACKINNON (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO) will be running together, as will GRAHAM MUTER/STEVE HALLMARK (Ford Escort), DAVE PRICE/MARK MASON (Ford Escort MkVI) and GEOFF GLOVER/BOB BROWN (Vauxhall Astra RWD).

NEAL ARDEN/GILES CORBETT planned to use the Tour of Epynt as a test session for the Manx Telecom Rally but their Ford Escort’s gearbox cried enough on the opening stage, forcing them into retirement. The problem has been rectified and fingers are crossed that the strengthened unit will be up to the punishment that will be meted out over the weekend!

At least they started Epynt which is more than can be said for CHRIS DAYKIN. Having had a very successful 2009 in a Vauxhall Nova, his newly-built Group N Subaru Impreza suffered turbo problems in the days leading up to the Welsh event and he and DANIEL MEGANNITY were forced to sit it out. So, the car’s MSA Asphalt Championship debut has had to wait until now….

ROLAND JONES/KATE GAMEZ were unable to contest Epynt due to the driver moving house and the co-driver being out of the country. So, this will be the first time this year we have seen their yellow MG ZR on the stages. Some niggling transmission problems blighted the early part of last season but they appeared to have been dealt with by the close, giving rise to high hopes for the future.

The Manx Telecom Rally starts in Port Erin on Friday 7th May and the first car will leave the line at 19.00 for the first leg of five stages, including a 13-miler to finish the evening’s competition. Following an overnight halt, the action resumes from the world-famous TT Grandstand in Douglas at 08.45 on Saturday with another nine stages on the agenda for MSA Asphalt Rally Championship contenders. The rally finishes back at the Grandstand from 15.00.

The first ‘Manx National Rally’ ran back in 1980 and, in the intervening 30 years, it has become one of the most popular events in the calendar. The list of ‘Past Winners’ is equally impressive and we wait with bated breath to see who will join them in 2010!...

For further information on the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship, contact the Championship Co-ordinator :

www.manxnationalrally.com

Entry List

Posted: April 28, 2010 11:06 AM

No. Driver/Co-Driver (Car) [Class]
1 Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick (Ford Focus WRC) [A8]
2 Keith Cronin/Barry McNulty (Subaru Impreza N15) [N4]
3 David Kynaston/Andy Russell (Audi A3 Quattro) [B13]
4 Damian Cole/Craig Drew (Ford Focus WRC) [A8]
5 Hugh David Hunter/Andy Marchbank (Ford Focus WRC) []
6 Steven Quine/Richard Skinner (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) [B13]
7 John Stone/Lee Carter (Skoda Fabia WRC) [B14]
8 Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt (Hyundai Accent WRC) [B14]
9 Dave Weston Jnr/Ievan Thomas (Subaru Impreza N16) [N4]
10 Euan Thorburn/Paul Beaton (Subaru Impreza N15) [N4]
11 Graham Coffey/David Gamblin (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
12 George Collister/Janet Craine (Mitsubishi Evo III) []
13 John Cope/Rob Fagg (Wubaru Impreza WRC) [B14]
14 Chris Rice/Nick Chapman (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
15 Wesley Patterson/Martin McGarrity (Ford Esccort) [B10]
16 Christopher Jones/Ashley Trimble (Ford Focus Sti) [B13]
17 Nigel Cannell/Michaela Cannell (Mitsubishi Evo 9 RS) [N4]
18 Andrew Leece/Graham Fargher (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI) [B13]
19 Gareth Nuttell/Paul Whittaker (Hyundai Accent WRC) [B14]
20 John Swinscoe/Paula Swinscoe (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [N4]
21 Daniel Harper/Stan Quirk (MNW Mini Cooper S) [B12]
22 Connor Corkill/Howard Allison (Ford Escort MK I) [B12]
23 Chris Marshall/Simon Hunter (Mitsubishi Evo 5) [B13]
24 David Hardie/John McCulloch (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
25 Jim Sharp/Amy Mackinnon (Mitsubishi Evo) [B13]
26 Lee Batty/Dave Batty (Ford Escort MK II) [B12]
27 Ian Corkill/TBA (Ford Escort MkII Rs1800) [H17]
28 John Ashton/Mark Lewis (Ford Escort MkII) [B12]
29 Robert Dick/Barry Green (Darrian T9) [B12]
30 Carine Walker/Dannii Matthews (BMW 325) [B12]
31 John Kirkpatrick/Martyn Quine (Vauxhall Astra RWD) [B12]
32 James Grant/Steve Greenhill (Mitsubishi Evo IV) [B13]
33 Martyn Jones/Maurice Snell (Mitsubishi Evo VI) []
34 Dave Corris/Paul McCann (Ford Escort WRC) [B14]
35 Tim Collins/Bruce Craig (Mitsubishi Evo IV) [B13]
36 Adrian Kermode/Maurice Beckett (Porsche 911) [H17]
37 Alan Courtney/Noel Anderson (Porsche 928) [H17]
38 Rikki Proffitt/Graham Wild (Porsche 911) [H15]
39 Shaun Fox/Sam McMullan (Vauxall Nova) [B10]
40 Rod Bennett/Henry Richardson (Fiat Punto S1600) [A6]
41 Roger Donnan/Chris Davies (Ford Puma) [A6]
42 Graham Muter/Steve Hallmark (Ford Escort) [B9]
43 Dave Price/Mark Mason (Ford Escort MK VI) [B12]
44 Geoff Glover/Bob Brown (Vauxhall Astra RWD) [B11]
45 Guy Simpkiss/Debbie Parry (Vauxhall Astra) [B11]
46 Andrew Holmes/Stephen Fox (Vauxhall Astra Sport) [B11]
47 David Harrison/Simon Taylor (Suzuki Swift Sport) [N2]
48 Adam Clews/Peter William (Ford Puma) [A5]
49 Kevin Vondy/Sarah Fargher (Vauxhall Corsa) [B9]
50 Keith Bernard/Nigel Morris (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
51 Christopher Reynolds/Mark Davenport (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
52 Nick Woodman/Simon Mills (Ford Escort MkII) [B11]
53 Neal Arden/Giles Corbett (Ford Escort MkII) [B11]
54 Declan Jackson/Barry McCarney (Ford Escort) [H17]
55 Ben Hardy/TBA (Fiat Uno) []
56 Colin Hope/Nick Patrick (Proton Satria) [B9]
57 David Mylchreest/Roy Sweetman (MG MGB) [H15]
58 Ted Sayle/Chris Cain (Ford Escort) [B12]
59 Christopher Daykin/Daniel Megannity (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
60 Roland Jones/Kate Gamez (MG ZR 105) [A5]
61 Peppe Planeta/Giles Dykes (Ford Fiesta WRC) [B14]
62 Chris Stewart/Steven Rough (BMW Mini Cooper) [N2]
63 Matthew Davison/Natasha Ellison (Subaru Impreza) [B12]
64 Daniel Boardman/Gina Shelley (Citroen Saxo VTC) [N2]
65 Dean Quayle/TBA (Peugeot 106 Rallye) [B9]
66 Danny Davies/James Hood (Vauxhall Corsa) [B10]
67 Walter Bridson/Stephen Christian (Vauxhall Corsa Gsi) [B10]
68 Sean Kelly/Martin Burns (Vauxhall Corsa Sri) [B11]
69 Janice Brew/Matthew Cox (Ford Sierra) [B13]
70 Tomos Roberts/Mark Brew (Peugot 205 Gti) [B10]
71 David Jones/Mark Bumfrey (Vauxhall Nova) [B9]
72 Paul Mellor/TBA (Ford Escort) []
73 Stuart Bainborough/Chris Heyes (Vauxhall Nova) [B10]
74 Iain Davison/Gavin Davies (Vauxhall Corsa Sri) [B10]
75 Will Rand/Barrie Ford (Vauxhall Astra) [B9]
76 Jason Daly/John Collins (Suzuki Swift) [B9]
77 Cathy Craine/David Craine (Vauxhall Corsa) [B10]

www.manxnationalrally.com

List of Entries Received:

Posted: April 21, 2010 10:41 AM

• Manx Auto Sport

Cronin/McNulty to compete on Manx National

Posted: April 21, 2010 10:40 AM

Keith Cronin / Barry McNulty will compete on the Manx National as a Tarmac test ahead of the Jim Clark Rally, in the TEG Impreza N15.

Regulations / Entry Form Available

Posted: March 8, 2010 8:02 PM

• Manx Auto Sport

Timetable available

Posted: March 5, 2010 10:56 AM

• Manx Auto Sport

Irish Friendly Ferry

Posted: February 22, 2010 10:17 PM

The Club have arranged for an Irish friendly ferry to be put on for the event.

This will sail out of Belfast on the Thursday 6th May and will return on the Sunday 9th May.

Travel deals have been arranged.

Details:

• Manx Auto Sport

Event Poster

Posted: February 22, 2010 10:11 PM

New Event Website

Posted: January 1, 2010 12:01 AM

• Manx Auto Sport