Irish Historic drivers success in British Championship

Posted: April 9, 2000 9:06 PM

After 60 miles of forest action, some of which was a bit rough for the aging cars and drivers, Dessie trailed Russell home by just 51 seconds. The remarkable Mk2 Lotus Cortina of Drexel was just 59 seconds further behind.

Ulster exile Philip Wylie, in his MGB, finished 10th after suffering broken suspension on the rear end which left him boucing and weaving down the forest tracks in an alarming fashion. Before the problems he had been which given the lack of ground clearance in the MGB was reasonably credible.

With a field of 71 historic and post-historic cars the Vauxhall Rally of Wales was a real showcase for the sport. The pace of the event is highlighted by the fact that Paul Kynaston's Sumbeam Tiger, complete with 330bhp at the wheels, could only manage 5th overall. Only two post-historic cars could match the times of the top ten historic cars, with Nick Whale's 911 ending the day just 6 seconds ahead of Russell Brookes.

Stephen Hall, who had been lying 5th, saw his Triumph TR4 completely destroyed, with just two stages to run, after a refueling disaster.

John Keatley, who had also made the trip from Ulster, was excluded before the start of the event in his newly acquired Mk1 Escort because part of his roll-cage was welded in. However, he was able to run as 00 and got some valuable testing in the new car.

The Irish contingent's post event celebrations, admirably support by Russell Brookes, went on until 3.30am with Maurice Beckett leading the singing