Scot leading the Championship in 206 Super Cup

Posted: July 9, 2002 1:12 PM

Three winners from the first three events this year to date, and Boat of Garten based Mike Faulkner finds himself at the head of the standings, despite not being one of the winners. Consistency and solid results have seen him come up the ranks, with a runner up spot on his other home event, the Scottish Rally last time out.

Of course, with the Jim Clark going to the new surface of tarmac from the previous gravel events, the different specialities of each driver will come in to play. Finn Marko Ramanen is lying second, only 1½ points adrift from Mike, and although he prefers gravel, has a turn of speed on the sealed surface. He will have plenty of confidence after his win on the other coast of Scotland last time out. Shaun Gallagher, 22 years old from Donegal is next away, by virtue of his 3rd place on the Scottish and being Irish, has a strong affinity with the black stuff, on the road, that is! He currently leads the Junior section.

The championship leader going into the last round was Garry Jennings, the 24 year old from Ballinamallard. But an accident in the fog sidelined his attempt to gain another set of maximum points, while he was in the lead. Rally of Wales winner, Chris Moore, was also sidelined, his car not too damaged but stuck off the road, after also been in close contention for the event title. Jack Ingleby, from Huntly, is lying 6th in the championship, the top ten being seeded on the event in championship order. Jack, with sister Grania alongside, had a huge accident last time out, but showed a fine turn of speed amongst his new rivals. Jack moved up from the Ka championship last year. Richard Sykes was struck with a puncture in Scotland, on the very first stage, but playing a tactical game just eased back to finish 6th, with the heavy attrition amongst his peers.

Martin Evans from Oxford has a new co-driver this year in experienced Shaun O’Gorman, which is working out well as he starts off this event in 8th place. Andy Pawley, another Ford mover, is in 9th and rounding off the top ten in the 206 Super Cup championship are Daniel and Clive Dunbabin. The twins finished 4th in Scotland, but suffered two non finishes prior to that, so need all the points they can accumulate now.

Greek George Philippedes will be attempting to increase his points tally, while Estonian Andrus Laur is struggling with funds, and won’t make the start line. But Canadian eyes will be watching their representative, Pat Richard, as he tries to take the silverware. Pat was leading last time out, and on the final stage cut a corner and paid the price with a wrecked car. The former snowboarding champion’s transition to right hand drive has been electrifying, and we look forward to viewing his efforts on tarmac.

Other interesting contenders down the field will number Gareth MacHale, who is relishing the prospect of a tarmac surface, gravel not being too kind to him and a reshell resulted from his demise last time out. His father, Austin will be also out on this event, but in the World Rally car section.
Also from Ireland, Alan Ring with co-driver Brian Duggan will be having their first outing on the championship

Dave Poyser was injured in a farm accident some years ago, and manages to skillfully negotiate his car round the lanes, despite having a “wooden leg”. Even left foot braking is no problem to the Derbyshire farmer. With this being the first time the contenders have competed in the full international event, it will remain to be seen how they will fare in the overall standings, but these pocket rockets are no slouches. The 145plus brake horse power of the 1600cc units will be under duress for the weekend, as the drivers aim to maximise every ounce of oomph from their equal machines.