Red Kite Stages - 16 Jan 05

Posted: January 18, 2005 11:43 AM

The Llandovery based event used the classic Epynt forest stages, opening with an 11 mile test in Crychan and Sykes made an immediate impression setting fastest time despite an overshoot at a chicane. Championship leader Mike O'Brien reported having stalled in stage, but with all the Peugeot 206 crews reporting having been delayed in stage by a rolled car it came as little surprise when the organisers allotted a notional time and all their efforts in Crychan turned to nothing.

With Sykes maintaining his grip on the event through stages 2, 3 and 4 , Mike O'Brien settled into a secure second place, with James Robertson in third reporting gear linkage problems and a cautious start whilst being pushed hard by Colin Britton and Kenny Hull in fourth.

Irish newcomer to Peugeot 206, Daniel Barry, the 2004 Irish Ka Champion partnered by Ben Doran seemed to be quickly picking up his pace in fifth, leading fellow countryman Barry Horan into second service.

With Sykes and O'Brien settling for a safe run through the final loop of 3 stages, attention turned to the battle for the positions from 3rd to 5th, where both James Robertson and Daniel Barry turned up the pace, with Britton struggling with a bent wishbone and unable to respond. Robertson secured 3rd place, whist Daniel Barry posted notice of his potential setting second fastest time on the final test through Halfway and stealing fourth place from Britton by 1 second.

Luton's Michael O'Brien maintains his Peugeot 206 Winter Cup lead into the final round the Wydean Forest Rally, but with pressure from Robertson and Sykes, an exciting climax is in prospect.

Results
Pos Crew Time
1 Richard Sykes/Richard Edwards 00:50:57
2 Michael O’Brien/Barry Young 00:51:54
3 James Robertson/Mike Rollo 00:52:24
4 Daniel Barry/Ben Doran 00:52:59
5 Colin Britton/Kenny Hull 00:53:00
6 Barry Horan/Simon Mills 00:54:10

• Event Website: www.redkitestages.co.uk

• 2004-05 Peugeot 206 Winter Cup