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Jim Clark Memorial Rally - 8-9 Jul 05

Posted: July 11, 2005 3:58 PM - 13606 Hits

Round 5 - 2005 Tarmac Championship
Round 4 - 2005 British Rally Championship
Round 5 - 2005 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge

  • THIRD PRODUCTION CLASS VICTORY FOR GALLIGAN
  • JENNINGS SHOWS HIS CLASS
  • MITSUBISHI RALLIART EVOLUTION CHALLENGE - ROUND 5 REPORT
  • Short-Lived Action For Jones On Jim Clark Rally
  • Higgins wins, but is pushed all the way by McNulty
  • Galligan/Shinnors win Group N
  • Photos

Posted: July 11, 2005 3:58 PM

THIRD PRODUCTION CLASS VICTORY FOR GALLIGAN
Galligan wins Group N and finishes sixth overall
Higgins fights through troubled weekend to score much needed points
Mitsubishi increases lead in Teams Cup

Rory Galligan (from Oldcastle), with co-driver, Greg Shinnors (from Limerick), recorded the Mitsubishi Motors UK works team's third Production Class win of the season this weekend, in round four of the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship, the Jim Clark Memorial Rally.



Their Mitsubishi team mates, David Higgins (from Trefeglwys) and Daniel Barritt (from Burnley), finished an uncharacteristic sixth in the PBRC rankings, luck certainly not on their side after experiencing a 'character building' weekend.

The Jim Clark Memorial Rally provides competitors with the one opportunity of the season to compete on closed public roads on the British Mainland. Utilising the lanes of Berwickshire to the north and east of Kelso, the event featured seven stages on Friday evening and a further 14 on Saturday.

For the Mitsubishi team the race against the clock began a few weeks ago, having to completely rebuild Higgins' car following his roll on last month's Scottish Rally. Consequently, the first opportunity to test the car was the shakedown event on Thursday evening, where the team detected a noise coming from the bottom-end of the engine and as a precautionary measure they rebuilt another unit overnight and fitted it on Friday morning.

Although his car's functionality was restored to 100%, the same could not be said for Higgins himself, who was nursing an injury to his right arm, not ideal as his Evo is left-hand-drive! With this in mind, he elected to run a syncro-mesh gearbox instead of the competition dog-box.

This event heralded the first time on asphalt for the two works Lancer Evolution VIII MRs and, with hot and dry weather predicted, it was an opportunity for both drivers to see if their car's pace would be as good on tarmac as it is on gravel.

Stage one, the longest of the rally, did not provide the start the team had hoped for: Galligan collected a rear puncture just five miles into the 15 mile test and drove the remainder of the stage on a combination of a flat tyre and then the rim alone, which stood up to the task admirably. Higgins had opted for a steady start to enable him to consider his car's set-up and the movement in his right arm.

With over a minute lost, Galligan now had work to do to make up the deficit and he set about the task with a passion, recording fastest Group N times on Saturday's six remaining stages.

When crews returned to Kelso for the overnight halt, Galligan had climbed back to second in Group N and was now 18 seconds behind Evolution Challenge leader Phillip Morrow. Higgins, on the other hand, was not comfortable with his progress, his arm causing him a few painful moments, the team adjusting the set-up of his car and re-fitting the dog-box to see if they could improve things.

Another dry and sunny day greeted crews for Saturday's stages and Galligan continued where he had left off on Friday evening, setting fastest PBRC times on all but one of the day's 14 stages. On the sixth stage of the day Galligan took the class lead from Morrow, who eventually retired on SS 19 and continued to deliver a faultless performance to finish 5 minutes and 43 seconds ahead of his closest Class rival.

Higgins' frustration continued into Saturday, when his car started to handle strangely half way through the day when a gearbox mounting bolt worked its way loose. Unfortunately for the reigning British Champion it happened just before he entered a long and deep ford on SS 16, the result of which plunged his Mitsubishi into even deeper water.

After loosing 10 agonising minutes in the ford, Higgins was on his way again and with his car restored to full fettle at the next service halt he proceeded to set a string of respectable times to end the event sixth of the PBRC runners and collect a much needed haul of Championship points.

The Mitsubishi Motors UK team now prepare for round five and the second asphalt event of the season, the Manx International Rally on 28th & 29th July.

The two Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MRs are prepared by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield on behalf of Cirencester based Mitsubishi Motors UK. The team is sponsored by: Pirelli, Shell Racing Fuels, Rampage Performance Motorparts, Speedline Corse, PIAA and ADR Motorsport.

Team Quotes
Rory Galligan - Driver
"It was a fantastic event for Greg and I. Other than the puncture on stage one the whole rally went well. The car was 100% throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed driving it. I'm pleased to get this result for the team, as it's our first all-tarmac event with the cars and it's also done my PBRC title hopes no harm at all."

David Higgins - Driver
"I was pleased to be able to enter this event having re-arranged things in Turkey, but I'm disappointed not to get the result I was hoping for. I knew my arm was going to make things difficult, but it was harder than I had expected, especially as luck didn't seem to be running with us. However, I was pleased to get a good run through the last few stages which has set things up nicely for the next round on my home soil on the Isle of Man."

Paul Brigden - General Manager, Mitsubishi Motors UK Ralliart
"Rory drove another superb rally for us and he's now in a strong position for the title. I was impressed by David's determination to carry on, even though it was obvious his arm was causing him a great deal of discomfort. I'm sure he's due for some better luck soon."

"Having had to rebuild David's car completely, fit a new engine just before the start and set both cars up for tarmac for the first time, the result this weekend was a testimony to the efforts of the team."

JENNINGS SHOWS HIS CLASS
Garry Jennings proved his class by finishing eighth overall and second in the Production class on this weekends Jim Clark Memorial Rally.

The all asphalt event was a challenge to all involved as the scorching heat affected both cars and drivers alike. The Fermanagh man had Rory Kennedy alongside but a holiday meant that he missed the recce. I knew Id have to do the recce by myself, commented Jennings, but I just drove round steadily with a set of Pattersons notes on my knee. He continued, It would have been a different story if I hadnt done the event before, I think wed have really struggled.

Jennings relative lack of power in his Mitsubishi Evo 6 looked as if it may be the main handicap against the more up to date machinery of the other front runners. After a ceremonial start in Kelso, the first stage left the pair an unlucky thirteenth, but with both works Mitsubishis behind them, they set about redressing the balance

At first service the duo had notched up a top ten overall time, second only in class to the charging Rory Galligan who had suffered a puncture on the previous stage. This left them third in the Production category and a fine tenth overall.

The next four stages totalled almost 35 miles and Jennings held station, setting two more top ten overall stage times to hold onto tenth place. At the final service of the day he pronounced himself happy, The cars running fine but its hellish hot out there. The brakes are holding up OK though and were pushing just hard enough.

Saturday dawned with the promise of even hotter temperatures and the first three stages passed without incident, the pair remaining tenth. After a quick check over in service, stage eleven, a re-run of the 7.5 mile Edrom test saw the Focus WRC of Bennet slip past, demoting them out of the top ten. Stage twelve saw the threat from Stephen Petch loom large, just 1.6 seconds separated the pair but Jennings held his nerve. Back at service after stage sixteen the pair was up to ninth. Garry explains, Weve kept going at a decent pace, not taking too many risks, but the rest of them seem to think the rally is over and theyre dropping like flies.

This left just five stages to the finish and with the penultimate stage cancelled because of a fire, Jennings and Kennedy cruised home, picking up another position when second placed production runner Philip Morrow retired with engine failure.

At the podium in Kelso the pair looked tired and relieved, We had a real scare just before the final stage, explained a white faced Jennings, There must have been a fuel leak inside the car and we had to get out and leave the doors open. I nearly passed out from the fumes so were actually fairly lucky to be here.

It didnt stop them from celebrating and picking up their awards for second in the hotly contested Production category. Only beaten by fellow former Peugeot works driver and 206 Super Cup winner Rory Galligan in his factory run Evo 8, Jennings once again proved himself more than a match for the competition.

Garry and Rory would like to thank all the people who helped on the Jim Clark Memorial Rally, particularly KG Motorsport, Kumho and the rest of the staff at Jennings Fuels and Lubricants. Special thanks go to Big Nev who drove from Ireland and back in a day to service for the team.

MITSUBISHI RALLIART EVOLUTION CHALLENGE - ROUND 5 REPORT
Champion wins eventful battle on the Borders to take series lead
Morrow leads before bad luck strikes
Former series front-runners, Elsmore and Jones, forced into early retirement

The Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge lived up to its reputation for being one of the most competitive championships in the UK on this weekend's Jim Clark Memorial Rally, with Ryan Champion and co-driver Craig Thorley emerging as winners, the series' three other main title aspirants: Nik Elsmore, Stuart Jones and Phillip Morrow all retiring with engine problems.

The Jim Clark Rally is the one occasion of the year when the Evolution Challenge migrates from its familiar home of the National Gravel Rally Championship to join forces with the British Rally Championship. The 42 car entry saw nine Evo Challenge crews make the trip to Kelso for this unique event, it being the only rally on British mainland to utilise closed public roads and subsequently provides the Mitsubishi series with its second asphalt event of the season.

With seven stages on Friday evening and a further 12 on Saturday, plus a hot and dry weather forecast, teams were aware of the strain likely to be imposed on mechanical components and therefore realised reliability was going to be an issue.

With only one goal in his sights, that of the Evolution Challenge title, Morrow was out to do all he could to score maximum points, so much so, he had hired an Evolution VIII MR to replace his tiring Evo VI for this event.

Even though having not driven the car before, Morrow's plan worked right from the start, when he set the fastest Evolution Challenge time on the opening 15-mile stage, the longest of the rally. Champion was second, just 1.8 secs behind, with Elsmore third. But for Jones the end was nigh, with his car's engine temperature getting higher and higher.

After topping up with water he made it through SS2, but not so SS3, when the winner of two previous rounds found he had no choice but to stop just a few miles from the end of the stage, a blown head gasket being the cause of his problems.

Stage three also heralded the demise of Elsmore, a mis-fire developing into an actual fire when his car's engine expired, signalling his first retirement of the season.

With two of the series' four leading crews now sidelined the battle was between Morrow and Champion. As the Saturday leg concluded there was little doubt that the young Ulsterman was getting used to his new car and, as well as extending his Evo Challenge lead to 18.2 seconds, he also led the Production Class overall.

However, Morrow almost threw it all away when he entered the Langton Ford backwards, having spun at high-speed on the approach to this popular spectator point.

Also entertaining onlookers on the same stage was Steve Blunt, when he struck a large circular straw bale that formed one of the event's numerous chicanes with such force, he pitched it over a fence and into a field, much to the amusement of the onlookers. Surprisingly. his Evo emerged with just a dent and a broken headlamp.

Neil McCance held third place and claimed to be thoroughly enjoying the rally so far. He was followed closely by Colin Greer, who reported a mis-fire and a brush with a fence.

Day two saw the fine weather continue -as did Morrow's domination of the Mitsubishi's, as he became more familiar with his Evo VIII to such an extent that by the end of Saturday's first three stages Champion elected to consolidate his second place.

Greer's misfiring engine was getting no better and he was even considering retiring, but when McCance stopped with a broken differential on stage 15, Greer was elevated to third and decided to keep going.

Then, just one stage later, Champion's rally very nearly came to an end. After landing awkwardly after a jump one-side of his car's rear suspension suddenly collapsed and it was all he could do just to limp to the end of the stage. As luck would have it, SS16 finished near the service area, where the problem was fixed, albeit with three minutes lost.

With Champion now 3 minutes 41 seconds behind Morrow and positions in the Evolution Challenge looking unlikely to change in the final loop of five stages, fate suddenly dealt Morrow a bitter blow. Just over a mile into SS19 he too suffered an overheating engine and, like Jones, a blown head gasket brought his superb drive to disappointing end.

The lead was now Champion's and with suspension fully restored he made it safely through the remainder of the event to record his second Evolution Challenge victory of the season, a result which rockets him into the series lead.

"What a rally! With our closest rivals not finishing this result has made a real difference to our title hopes", said Champion at the finish. "When the suspension collapsed we lost drive for a while and I thought that was it. Luck has been with us today. It just goes to show that anything can happen in rallying. You can never count on a result until you cross the finish line."

Morrow was un-surprisingly gutted, as he was counting on this event to put his title chase back on track:

"Sometimes I wonder what I have to do to get good results. The event started badly for me when we had a crash on the recce and I had to drive with stitches in my leg. Having led from the start and then to retire so close to the finish is really unbelievable. It's going to make winning the title very hard indeed, but at least I know that I now have the pace on both asphalt and gravel."

All the activity at the front of the field meant that the three remaining Evo Challenge drivers: Connor McCloskey, Noel Kelly and Steve Blunt, all recorded their best series finishes so far, in 3rd, 4th and 5th places respectively.

The sixth round of the Evolution Challenge takes place in just two weeks time, when the series returns to the National Gravel Rally Championship for the Swansea Bay Rally on 23rd July.

The 2005 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge is supported by: Mitsubishi Motors UK, Ralliart, Walon UK, Pirelli Tyres, Shell Racing Fuels, Speedline Corse, PIAA UK and Mintex.

Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge Round 5 - Results
1st Ryan Champion (Whitby)/Craig Thorley (York) 2:16:08.2
2nd Colin Greer (Beith)/Neil Ewing (Largs) 2:22:18.6
3rd Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Crawford Henderson (Ireland) 2:24:23.2
4th Noel Kelly (Crosby)/James Kelly (Crosby) 2:25:53.4
5th Steve Blunt (Woking)/Robert Duck (Derby) 2:31:21.6


Other Awards
Pirelli Cup Winner - Ryan Champion
PIAA Junior Award - Connor McClosky
Shell Spirit Award - Phillip Morrow
Walon Best Prepared Car - Phillip Morrow

Retirements
SS3 Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Richard Edwards (Wolverhampton) - Head Gasket
SS3 Nik Elsmore (Coleford)/Nigel Gardner (New Tredegar) - Engine
SS15 Neil McCance (Newtownards)/Graham Hopewell (Worcester) - Differential
SS19 Philip Morrow (Lisburn)/Glenn Patterson (Stranraer) - Head Gasket

Short-Lived Action For Jones On Jim Clark Rally
Stuart Jones, partnered by Richard Edwards, exited the opening loop of the fifth round of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, the Jim Clark Memorial Rally, following engine failure on his Lancer EvoVIII. Jones’ regular co-driver, Ross Butler, was absent on doctors advise, after suffering concussion in a previous accident.

The team began with a slightly uneasy feeling, as the car had seemingly consumed engine coolant in the run-up to the start. However, pre-event checks could not reveal any specific problem, so the crew took the start of the event as normal.

However, part-way into the first stage, the engine coolant temperature rose dramatically and they were forced to stop and replenish lost water at the end of the stage. The same thing happened on the second stage, with the temperature gauge going off the scale. Jones and Edwards were told to carry on into the third of the four stages which made up the first loop but towards the end, water began spraying onto the windscreen from under the bonnet and the engine began to misfire, lose power and eventually, failed completely. With it went their chances of success on the second tarmac round of the championship.

Commenting on the implications for the championship, Jones said, “This means that my chances now rest on the shoulders of the other drivers. Clearly we’ll now have to push as hard as possible for the rest of the season and target a win on each event. Our only hope from this event is that Ryan [Champion] doesn’t finish, either on this event or one in the future, so the points gap remains fairly close, considering Nik [Elsmore] has also retired today and Phillip [Morrow] still has to drop a round’s score.”

Unfortunately, Champion went on to claim victory in the Evo Challenge category, to become series leader with a clear seven point margin and a 10-point lead over Jones. Morrow also failed to finish the event and so Jones, Morrow and Elsmore can all be considered to be in similar positions, all requiring the maximum points haul from the remaining three rounds of the championship.

The next round of the series takes the crews to the gravel stages of South Wales, for the Swansea Bay Rally, over the weekend of 22/23 July.


McNulty takes Maximun tarmac championship points


Results
1 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC) 2.01.34.3
2 Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2.02.11.9
3 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) 2.03.39.0
4 Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2.04.29.2
5 Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman (Subaru Impreza WRC) 2.04.29.2
6 Rory Galligan/Greg Shinnors (Mit. Lancer Evo 8.5) GpN 2.11.00.2
7 Craig & Roger Bennett (Ford Focus WRC) 2.12.55.1
8 Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Mit. Lancer Evo 6) GpN 2.14.08.4
9 Alan Nesbitt/Paddy Robinson (Subaru Impreza N11) 2.15.41.1
10 Ryan Champion/Craig Thorley (Mit. Lancer Evo 8) GpN 2.16.08.2

Leaders After
SS1-21 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)

Stage Winners
SS1 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
SS2 Derek McGarrirty/Dermot O'Gorman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS3 Derek McGarrirty/Dermot O'Gorman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS4 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
SS5 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
SS6 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
SS7 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
SS8 Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS9 Derek McGarrirty/Dermot O'Gorman (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS10 Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS11 Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS12 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
SS13 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
& Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS14 Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Subaru Impreza WRC)
SS15 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
SS16 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
SS17 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
SS18 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
& Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC)
SS19 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)
SS20 Cancelled
SS21 Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC)

Group N winners Rory Galligan and Greg Shinnors
PRE EVENT NEWS
  • Tarmac Championship Preview
  • Paddy White withdraws
  • JENNINGS CONTINUES HIS CHARGE
  • MRallying Head for the Highlands
  • Jones Prepares For Jim Clark But Butler To Miss Event On Medical Advice
  • Wille Fannin Withdraws
  • Nesbitt not starting Jim Clark
  • FIRST ASPHALT ENCOUNTER FOR MITSUBISHI TEAM
  • EVOS GET SET FOR BRC BATTLE
  • Entry List on line
  • Nesbitt/O'Brien Enter Jim Clark
  • Bumper Entry for Jim Clark Rally
  • Entries received to date are all Irish!
  • Regulations available
  • Event Details
  • JIM CLARK MEMORIAL RALLY CONFIRMS 2005 DATES
07/07/05
Tarmac Championship Preview
It's that time of year again - for the first time this season, the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Rally Championship locks horns with the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship at the Jim Clark Memorial Rally.

'Battle of the Championships' will kick into action this weekend in Kelso at the Jim Clark Memorial Rally. Over the next 3 rounds - Jim Clark, Manx, Ulster - the Irish and British Championships will go head to head in what promises to be a fantastic duel.

Derek McGarrity (43pts) and his Subaru Impreza WRC will have to be at their brilliant best to prevent Eugene Donnelly (42pts) from claiming outright leadership of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Rally Championship. Donnelly won a nail-biter in the last round in Donegal and is building up quite a head of steam. Eugene will be hoping that his Toyota Corolla WRC steers him to victory over the demanding 21 stage event.

Austin MacHale will be looking for a solid performance this weekend for more than one reason. Austin lies 3rd in the Irish standings on 36pts but currently tops the British table on 54pts! Austin will need two pairs of eyes to fend of the challenge of Tim McNulty (4th in Irish - 32pts) and Seb Ling (2nd in British - 48pts). However the man he may really have to watch is Mark Higgins in the Ford Focus WRC. Higgins is going for his 3rd win on the spin in the British Championship and is truely the driver in form. Whatever pans out, Austin will certainly have his hands full!

Drivers to watch out for further down the field are; Eamon Boland, Rory Galligan, Richard Gower and the 2 MacHale brothers - Gareth and Aaron.

With more sub plots than a Tarantino movie, this year's Jim Clark Memorial Rally has the potential to be a blockbuster of its own.
Paddy White has withdrawn his entry for the Jim Clark rally due to mechanical problems with the Gearbox on his S9 Impreza.

05/07/05
JENNINGS CONTINUES HIS CHARGE
Following an impressive debut in a newly acquired Mitsubishi Evo 6 in February, former Peugeot works driver Garry Jennings will try his hand at the Jim Clark Memorial Rally this weekend.

The Fermanagh based driver will team up with Rory Kennedy again after a class win and ninth overall on last months Donegal International Rally. The pair went well on home tarmac, beating their nearest class N4 rival by nearly a minute.

The Kelso based Jim Clark Rally continues the run of asphalt events, using the lanes around Duns to which Jennings is no stranger, having run with number two on the door in 2003 and winning the Peugeot 206 Super Cup category in 2002.

It will be strange to be up against some of the former Peugeot lads, said Jennings, particularly since three of us are former champions. He continued, Ill be paying most attention to Rory (Galligan) and Stuarts (Jones) times but Ive got the excuse that theyre both in Evo 8s if they beat me by too much.

With a total of 27 Production category cars, the class will be fiercely competitive and the four wheel drive machines will go well if it rains; always a danger on the Jim Clark.

The fourth round of the British Rally Championship comprises 160 miles of rallying over 22 stages starting on Friday afternoon, using central service at Charterhall airfield and returning to the finish in Kelso late on Saturday afternoon.

MRallying Head for the Highlands
Colm Murphy’s MRallying team head to Edinburgh next weekend looking to put a trying June behind them on the Jim Clark Memorial rally.

What could have been a fantastic month for the team took an early turn for the worse on the Circuit of Munster, Colm and co-driver Ger’s home rally. With its start delayed by over thirty minutes, the first stage saw the Shell backed Impreza catch a patch of diesel on the approach to an otherwise innocuous left bend. The car slid wide into the ditch and was flicked back onto the road on its roof. Luckily, both driver and co-driver were unhurt and were able to warn the next car on the scene.

The immediate retirement saw the Pirelli sponsored Subaru head straight back to the McKinstry workshops for rework for the quickly approaching Shell Donegal International. Following a stint in the bodyshops and some mechanical mastery by the McKinstry lads, the Transplant Trailers, Trackcare Engineering backed car made it to Donegal right on time and looking like it was fresh from the box.

After deciding on a cautious approach for the first day to bed in after the Limerick crash, Colm and Ger set off in the changeable Donegal conditions with the aim of maintaining the Pirelli Championship lead foremost in their minds. With their approach decided, the Murray Motorsport car made light work of the 6 Friday stages, coming back into the Friday evening Letterkenny service just 18 seconds off their nearest Tarmac championship contender, Garry Jennings.

Following the overnight stop, the cars headed for some classic Saturday Donegal stages including the legendary Knockalla test. Following another solid start to the day, stage 9, Brenagh 2, saw disaster hit the Thermia Heat Link sponsored car for the second time in two weeks. The front left tyre picked up debris from another accident earlier in the stage, a problem not immediately apparent.

Later in the test however, it caused a show stopping blow to the team’s ambitions – entering a fast right hander, as the front tyre loaded up, the shards caused the Pirelli to give out. The Eddie Garry Car Sales backed car slid off the road and ended beached on the edge of a deep dyke. With no spectators on hand, it proved a cruel way for an otherwise faultless run to come to an end.

Colm is now totally focussed on the task awaiting the team in Kelso – “Munster and then Donegal were two tough events, ending as they did. The Jim Clark will give us a chance to put things back on track again and that’s what we aim to do. We’ll be giving it 110% to make sure no-one else has it easy over there, British or Irish!”

The Jim Clark Memorial sees the British and Irish tarmac championships meet for the first of their three shared rounds of 2005. 160 miles stand between the 150 competitors and the finish flag in the gruelling 22 stage, two day, marathon event. With tough competition coming from the English, Welsh and Scottish crews, the MRallying crew will have to be on top form to emulate their successes in Galway and Killarney this year.

The crew would like to thank all their sponsors for their help and backing throughout the season so far - Pirelli tyres, Shell Racing Fuel, Thermia Heat Link, Transplant Trailers Sales, Trackcare Engineering, Eddie Garry car sales, Advance Surveys, the Gables Bar, Vanity Case beauticians and the Connemara Gateway hotel. Without their participation, none of the team’s efforts would be possible and it is immensely appreciated.

Jones Prepares For Jim Clark But Butler To Miss Event On Medical Advice
Stuart Jones heads north this week to compete on the next round of the 2005 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, the Jim Clark Rally. However, he will not be partnered by regular co-driver Ross Butler, who has been advised by doctors not to compete, having been diagnosed with severe concussion.

The injury came as a result of an accident the pair suffered on an invitation rally in Norway two weeks ago. A ditch on the inside of a corner pitched their Peugeot 206 into a roll, from which the pair emerged seemingly unhurt. However, the following weekend, while co-driving at the invitational Goodwood Festival Of Speed, Ross began to suffer blurred vision and nausea. He was taken to Chichester Hospital, where doctors kept him in overnight to perform a CT scan. This was clear but he was diagnosed with severe concussion suffered in the accident and told to rest completely for at least two weeks.

“Obviously I’m absolutely gutted not to be doing this event,” said Ross “but there are more important things at stake. The doctors know what is best and by spending the time resting, I should be fit again for the following event in the championship, the Swansea Bay Rally two weeks later. I’m hoping to be able to get up to Kelso to cheer Stuart on but if I can’t, then obviously I hope he maintains the momentum our series challenge has gained after our win on the Mutiny Rally.”

For the Jim Clark Rally, Stuart will be partnered by Richard Edwards, who co-drove for him in 2003 & 2004. The Jim Clark is the second tarmac event in the Evo Challenge and is also the second round to allow the crews to use their own note system. Stuart has used effectively the same note system since beginning rallying and therefore, Richard should be able to pick up the role quickly.

“Obviously it’s very disappointing that Ross can’t make this weekend but there’s nothing more important than health,” said Jones. “I just hope he rests up and gets well for the Swansea Bay. The Jim Clarc isn’t going to be easy with a fresh voice next to me and I guess it will take a bit of time to get used to again. We’ll be doing the pre-event recce and using my note system which we’ve used before, in the Peugeot Challenge.

“The event itself, while on tarmac, is very different from the last tarmac rally, the Roush Manx; the roads there are quite wide and fast but also a bit bumpy. The roads used for the Jim Clark are smoother and twister but also more narrow. I think they should suit my driving style better – a bit more technical. There will be lots of unknowns until we get there, as the surface can be quite dirty, as the rally runs thrgugh farming area. Also, the weather is changeable, so factor all that in and it can make tyre choice very difficult.

“The Manx was an event where nothing went our way but when we did get a slight break in the bad luck, our pace was definitely there. That’s the past now – we’re working on getting a good car set-up and getting the maximum from the Silverstone tyres so hopefully we should have a better run. I’m not going there aiming to win – At this stage, I’ll be happy with a top three finish. I need to make sure I finish in front of Nik Elsmore [Championship leader], while finishing in front of Ryan Champion would be good but very hard. And, of course, I expect Phillip [Morrow] to be fully on the pace, as usual.”

“This will also be a good chance to test some of the things we’ve started learning on the Rally Elite program. We had two days this week with the sports psychologists at Edinburgh, so I have a few techniques to try out.”

The 2005 Jim Clark Memorial Rally starts at 16.30hrs on Friday 8th July, from the Town Square in Kelso and takes in seven stages before the first car arrives at parc ferme at 22.05hrs. The first car then re-starts at 07.15 and the crews tackle a further 14 stages before arriving at the finish, again in Kelso town centre, at 17.35.

Wille Fannin Withdraws
GpN Driver Willie Fannin has withdrawn from the Jim Clark Rally.
"With work commitments, it would have been very difficult to do the Jim Clark and Sligo, so we decided to give Jim Clark a miss to concentrate on Sligo", Willie told rally.ie
Willie and Co-driver Mick Courtney are planning to compete on the remaning rounds of the Tarmac Championship, the Manx, Ulster and Cork '20.

04/07/05 Nesbitt not starting Jim Clark
Andrew Nesbitt will not be able to compete in the Jim Clark as he is still in crutches following his Donegal accident.

04/07/05
FIRST ASPHALT ENCOUNTER FOR MITSUBISHI TEAM
  • Higgins gets opportunity to re-kindle BRC title chase
  • Galligan up-beat following extensive pre-event test

    The Mitsubishi Motors UK Rally Team will sample its first taste of asphalt next weekend, when works drivers David Higgins and Rory Galligan compete in round four of the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship, the Jim Clark Memorial Rally, which takes place on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th July.



    So far the team has experienced a season of mixed fortunes: Galligan winning the Production Car Class on rounds one and three, but retiring on round two, whilst Higgins finished second on round two but retired on rounds one and three - the latter a spectacular affair, when his Mitsubishi left the road and rolled.

    As a result, Higgins will appear in a completely rebuilt and re-shelled Evolution VIII MR, having only recently being able to re-arrange his Turkish Rally Championship commitments:

    "The Jim Clark Rally was the one event of the year that clashed with my programme in Turkey, so I really appreciate the cooperation from the Turkish Opel team for the opportunity to keep my British Championship hopes alive", said Higgins.

    "Having now dropped two scores it is important that I contest all remaining rounds if I am to have any chance of retaining a British title. I am especially pleased to be able to enter the Jim Clark Rally as I really enjoy it. I want to get a good result for the team next weekend, as they have worked so hard in the past few weeks getting my car back together."

    On last year's Jim Clark Rally Higgins scored maximum BRC points. This year will see his sixth time on the event and the first time in a group N car on asphalt since the Manx Rally in 2002.

    Galligan is also looking forward to this event. Having competed in a privately entered Evolution last year, he recorded two fastest overall stage times on his way to winning the 2004 Evolution Challenge title.

    "This will be my fifth time of competing on the Jim Clark Rally and I have some good memories of the event", said Galligan. "If all goes well I know that David and I will have the pace to challenge for Production Class honours and hope that we may at last achieve the elusive one-two result we have been looking for all season. However, with the Irish Championship competitors and the Evolution Challenge runners joining us on this occasion, there's going to be an excellent battle for Group N."

    Galligan tested his Mitsubishi earlier this week and was impressed: "The car felt as good on tarmac as it does on gravel. During the test I must have driven over 100 miles, so I'm very happy with the way it's set up."

    Higgins (from Trefeglwys) will be partnered by his regular co-driver, Daniel Barritt (from Burnley), with Galligan (from Oldcastle), again being guided by fellow Irishman, Greg Shinnors (from Limerick).

    The Jim Clark Memorial Rally is unique, as it is the only rally on the UK mainland that utilises closed public roads for its competitive stages. Based in Kelso, the event features seven stages on Friday evening, with a further 14 on Saturday.

    The two Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MRs are prepared by ADR Motorsport of Chesterfield on behalf of Cirencester based Mitsubishi Motors UK. The team is sponsored by: Pirelli, Shell Racing Fuels, Rampage Performance Motorparts, Speedline Corse, PIAA and ADR Motorsport

    EVOS GET SET FOR BRC BATTLE
  • Evolution Challenge makes annual visit to the British Rally Championship
  • Second test on asphalt for Challenge competitors

    The Jim Clark Memorial Rally, which this year takes place on 8th & 9th July, marks the annual occasion when the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge migrates from its familiar home of the National Gravel Rally Championship to the Pirelli Kwik-Fit British Rally Championship.

    The rally provides the popular one make series for Group N Mitsubishi Evolutions with its second all-asphalt event of the season, the Roush Manx Rally in May being the only other non-gravel affair. For competitors it presents a rare opportunity, as the Jim Clark Rally is the only event on the British mainland to feature timed stages on closed public roads.

    A total of nine Evolution Challenge crews will contest the Kelso based event, a figure which represents 18% of the International entry.

    Now at the halfway point in it's eight round season, the Evolution Challenge currently enjoys an epic battle at the top of the table, with just four points separating the leading four crews.

    Proving that consistancy pays off, with a sixth, two thirds and a second place so far, Nik Elsmore leads the chasing pack on 34 points. Young chargers Stuart Jones and Phillip Morrow share second spot on 31 points, Jones now with two wins under his belt and Morrow with one.

    The Jim Clark Rally sees a change of co-driver for Morrow, Glae Patterson taking over from Phillip's brother Simon for the remainder of the season.

    Both Jones and Morrow have recently been selected by a panel of judges for inclusion in the MSA Rally Elite, a National scheme which is designed to develop young British talent. Evolution Challenge organisers are delighted that out of the four drivers to go forward, two are currently competing in the Mitsubishi series.

    Fourth in the standings is Ryan Champion on 30 points. Champion starts next weekend's event highest of the Evo Challenge seeds, his victory on the Isle of Man a few weeks ago endorsing his pace on tarmac.

    Most local Evo driver on this event will be Colin Greer. If previous performances are anything to go by and if his luck holds out, the Scot could well be challenging for a podium position.

    Challenge regular, Neil McCance, will make the trip from Northern Ireland in search of the speed that secured him his best placing so far this season, when he finished third on the Manx Rally.

    The remaining three Evolution Challenge crews on next weekend's event consist of Manxman Noel Kelly, Ulsterman Connor McClosky, who has only recently confirmed his entry after having his car repaired following misfortunes on the Mutiny Rally and Steve Blunt, who makes his second visit to the series this year.

    The Jim Clark Memorial Rally starts from Kelso at 4.30 on Friday afternoon and features seven stages on the roads of Berwickshire before the overnight halt. Competitors re-start at 7.15 on Saturday morning and contest a further 14 stages and then return to Kelso for the finish at around 5.30 in the afternoon.

    The 2005 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge is supported by: Mitsubishi Motors UK, Ralliart, Walon UK, Pirelli Tyres, Shell Racing Fuels, Speedline Corse, PIAA and Mintex.

    List of Jim Clark Memorial Rally entered Evolution Challenge competitors in start number order (home towns in brackets)

    24 Ryan Champion (Whitby)/Craig Thorley (York)
    25 Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Ross Butler (Welshpool)
    26 Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Glae Patterson (Stranraer)
    33 Colin Greer (Beith)/Neil Ewing (Largs)
    34 Nik Elsmore (Coleford)/Nigel Gardner (New Tredegar)
    35 Neil McCance (Newtownards)/Graham Hopewell (Worcester)
    43 Noel Kelly (Crosby)/James Kelly (Crosby)
    44 Connor McCloskey (Kilrea)/Damien Duffin (Rasharkin)
    45 Steve Blunt (Woking)/Bob Duck (Derby)


    28/06/05

    International Entry List
    1 Andrew Nesbitt/James O'Brien (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
    2 Mark Higgins/Brian Thomas (Ford Focus WRC) [A8]
    3 Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Toyota Corolla WRC) [A8]
    4 Derek McGarrity/Dermott O'Gorman (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
    5 Austin MacHale/Brian Murphy (Ford Focus WRC) [A8]
    6 Tim McNulty/Eugene O'Donnell (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
    7 Eamonn Boland/Francis Regan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
    8 Mathew Wilson/TBA (Ford Focus WRC) [A8]
    9 Gareth MacHale/Paul Nagle (Toyota Corolla WRC) [A8]
    10 David Higgins/Daniel Barritt (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) [N4]
    11 Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
    12 Stephen Murphy/M.J.Morrissey (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
    14 Sebastian Ling/David Moynihan (Hyundai Accent WRC) [A8]
    15 Rory Galligan/Greg Shinnors (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) [N4]
    16 Richard Gower/Mark Sollway (Hyundai Accent WRC) [A8]
    17 Paddy White/Martin Brady (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
    18 Garry Jennings/Rory Kennedy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [N4]
    19 Dougi Hall/Stephen Robson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [A8]
    20 John Cope/Tony Cope (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
    21 Craig Bennett/Rodger Bennett (Ford Focus WRC) [A8]
    22 Colm Murphy/Ger Loughrey (Subaru Impreza N10) [N4]
    24 Ryan Champion/Craig Thorley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [N4]
    25 Stuart Jones/Ross Butler (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [N4]
    26 Phillip Morrow/Glae Patterson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [N4]
    27 Aaron MacHale/Craig Parry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) [N4]
    28 Roy White/Stephen Mcualey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) [N4]
    29 Alan Nesbitt/Paddy Robertson (Subaru Impreza N11) [N4]
    30 Willie Fannin/Mick Courtney (Subaru Impreza N9) [N4]
    31 Lorna Smith/Dave Robson (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
    32 Barry Clark/Neil Shanks (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
    33 Colin Greer/Neil Ewing (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [N4]
    34 Nick Elsmore/Nigel Gardner (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7) [N4]
    35 Neil McCance/Graham Hopewell (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8.5) [N4]
    36 Iwan Rees/Aled Rees (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
    37 Robert Swann/Kenneth Bowman (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
    38 Dave Taylor/Paul Barrett (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
    39 James Edwards/Alan Whittaker (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [N4]
    40 Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
    41 Rob Gill/Anders Howard (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
    42 Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Ford Puma) [A6]
    43 Noel Kelly/James Kelly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [N4]
    44 Connor McCloskey/Crawford Henderson (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [N4]
    45 Steve Blunt/Bob Duck (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [N4]
    46 Emily O'Mahony/Donal Lennon (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
    47 Andrew Leece/Simon Lassam (Renault Clio Ragnotti) [N3]
    48 Shaun Woffindon/Inbal Edry (Fiat Stilo) [A7]
    49 Tom Metcalfe/Howard Pridmore (Fiat Stilo) [A7]
    50 Kate Heath/Paul Heath (Subaru Impreza) [N4]

    28/06/05
    Nesbitt/O'Brien Enter Jim Clark
    Three times winner Andrew Nesbitt looks set to attempt to make it four in a row as entries close for this year's Jim Clark Rally. The Northern Irish driver is one of the final names added to a massive entry for the Jim Clark Rally weekend which runs from Friday 8 th to Sunday 10 th July. A fourth victory for the Subaru Impreza driver would break the record set by the late Roger Clark who took three consecutive wins in the 1970s, but the Armagh flyer, who joins many from Ulster and the Republic who are crossing the Irish Sea to compete in the only “foreign” round of the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Championship, will have some pretty fierce opposition.

    Reigning British Champion David Higgins is a late entry in his works Mitsubishi, while the rest of the current KwikFit Pirelli British Championship front runners, led by Austin McHale, will all be there. Top lady and Production Championship leader Lorna Smith and Formula 2000 charger Shaun Woffinden look to add to their points while all but one of the Get Connected Stars of the Future drivers, led by James Wozencroft, have filed their entries.

    Former Scottish Champion Barry Johnson is one of a number of competitors who are making a big weekend of it by tackling not just the International event, but also the Reivers Rally on the Sunday – the counting round for the County Saab Scottish Rally Championship which is likely to see its maximum of 120 crews taking part.

    32 special stages and over 220 miles of flat-out action on the closed roads of Berwickshire are on offer to those who're attempting the full weekend with standings in the GPR MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship, the Mitsubishi Ralliart Challenge, the Fiat Rally Cup and other local championships also at stake.
    21/06/05
    Bumper Entry for Jim Clark Rally
    Next month's Jim Clark rally is set to be a massive affair as it prepares to stage Britain's biggest rallying weekend of the year.

    With three weeks yet to go, the organisers from the Berwick and District Motor Club and the Border Ecosse Car Club have already received some 250 entries for the various events being staged over the Jim Clark weekend from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th July.

    The 35th running of the Jim Clark, which features rounds of the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship, the Pirelli Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the County Saab Scottish Rally Championship, as well as providing one of the most popular rounds of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, seems to be about to buck the trend of recent major rallies by stretching the organisers' skills to fit everyone into its schedules!

    Several entries are still expected following rounds of the British and Irish Championships in Dumfries and Donegal, but the Jim Clark organisers are already preparing to adjust the balance between the International event and the National event which follows the same route. The National event has proved particularly popular and has been officially oversubscribed for some weeks. Adjustments are now being made to accept more National competitors and enable around 150 crews to take part in the two main events taking place on the Friday and Saturday.

    With Sunday's Reivers Rally, a round in the Scottish Championship, already approaching its extended maximum of 120 entries, the Jim Clark could see its biggest ever field of competitors tackling the testing Berwickshire lanes in mainland Britain's only closed public road event.

    Delighted Rally Manager Colin Pagan said:
    "Not only are we looking forward to seeing Mark Higgins and the rest of the BRC competitors pitting their skills against the flying Irishmen in the International field, but there is serious competition in the National and Reivers Rallies. Once again we have attracted the British Isles' best international, national and club competitors. Whatever the weather, it's certain to be a summer scorcher on the roads of Berwickshire!"

    Details of the entry and how and where to get a supporters rallypack can be found on the rally's website below
    12/06/05
    Entries received to date are all Irish!

    Roy White
    Brian O'Mahony
    Willie Fannin
    Eamonn Boland
    Tim McNulty
    Emily O'Mahony
    • Details on the Event Website below
    18/04/05
    Regulations and Entry form on the event website:
    Event Details
    The main rally, the Jim Clark International Rally - a round of the British Rally Championship, the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship and the highly popular Mitsubishi Evo Challenge - will see 150 cars start from Kelso on the afternoon of Friday 8th July, taking in 22 special stages set over some 160 miles of closed public roads in Berwickshire, before the finish late on Saturday afternoon.

    01/01/05
    JIM CLARK MEMORIAL RALLY CONFIRMS 2005 DATES
    The Jim Clark Memorial Rally, Britain's biggest stage rally, has confirmed the 2005 event will run from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th July.

    The rally, a round in the British, Irish and Scottish rally championships, is normally held on the first weekend in July. In 2005 this date has been allocated as a Formula 1 weekend, and the rally organisers have been waiting for some time for confirmation, or otherwise, of the staging of the British Formula 1 Grand Prix on that date.

    Even although an announcement has yet to be made concerning the British Grand Prix, it has now been decided to stage the Jim Clark on the second weekend in July.

    Rally manager Colin Pagan said: “The organisers have been under extreme pressure from championships, competitors and other organisations to make an announcement. We feel we must now do so. In setting it for the second weekend in July, it offers competitors more rest time between championship rounds. We will also be liaising with local communities to ensure the change of date does not encroach too far on events already planned.”

    The organisers also hope to confirm more detailed plans for the rally soon. The as yet un-sponsored event is however likely to encompass, as in 2004, a Thursday shakedown stage, an International rally run from Friday evening through to Saturday, and the highly popular Reivers Rally, a round of the Scottish series, on the Sunday.

    • Topics: Jim Clark Memorial Rally 

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