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Bulldog Rally - (Shrewsbury) - 22 Oct 05

Posted: October 26, 2005 5:08 PM - 10321 Hits

Round 7 - 2005 ANCRO MSA National Rally Championship
Round 8 - 2005 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge
Round 8 - 2005 206 Super Cup

  • URGENT APPEAL FOR INFORMATION – BULLDOG RALLY 2005
  • JONES RECORDS FIFTH WIN OF THE SEASON AS CHAMPION BECOMES CHAMPION!
  • BIRDY BOXES IT OFF IN STYLE
  • JUST CHAMPION FOR FLYIN’ RYAN

Photo: cwmi.net

Posted: October 26, 2005 5:08 PM

URGENT APPEAL FOR INFORMATION – BULLDOG RALLY 2005
As some of you will already know, Caroline Samuels, Producer of Pit Lane Productions who provide the ‘Rally Fever’ television coverage for all the ANCRO rounds, had her car stolen on Saturday night from the hotel where she was staying.

The thieves broke into her room, took her of her wallet and her car keys and simply drove off without anyone apparently seeing them.

Inside the car were valuable television cameras as well as the entire taped footage from the Bulldog Rally meaning that unless this can be retrieved, there will be nothing to show on the forthcoming programme.

The hotel has been particularly unhelpful which is a concern in itself and have been unable to provide the CCTV footage so if anyone can help with any information at all, then please either call Caroline direct on +44 7813 848983 or + 44 208 568 2828 or contact any ANCRO official as listed on www.gravelrally.co.uk

Car details: Silver Rover 25, Registration: AF51HKB

Hotel details: Travelodge, Mile End, Oswestry
(this was the one on the roundabout around ¼ mile away from Bulldog Rally Base).

If anyone can throw any light on this matter at all, it would be appreciated and provided the tapes are returned then Caroline has pledged an amnesty that ‘no questions would be asked’. They can keep the car and the cameras as they are insured!

JONES RECORDS FIFTH WIN OF THE SEASON AS CHAMPION BECOMES CHAMPION!
The eighth and final round of this year's Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, Saturday's Bulldog Rally, saw Stuart Jones, together with co-driver Craig Parry, record his fifth victory of the season.



But it was Ryan Champion and Craig Thorley's day. By finishing in third place they took the 2005 series title and with it the best prize in UK rallying: The opportunity to drive a works Mitsubishi Evolution in the 2006 British Rally Championship.



This weekend's Oswestry based event, which comprised seven stages in the North Wales forests, saw a final round shoot-out between Champion, Jones and Phillip Morrow, all three in with a chance of taking the Evo Challenge crown.

Going to the event with a four point advantage Champion started as favourite, only having to finish fourth or higher to claim the title. Jones was next in line, but had to win, with Champion finishing fifth if victory was to go his way. Being a further two points behind, Morrow knew that all he could do was finish as high as possible and hope that Champion and Jones would experience problems.

Morrow was quickest out of the blocks, a swap from his regular Evo VI to a hired Evo VIII MR was intended to give him the best possible chance of victory in the season's finale. However, the plan did not materialise quite as he had hoped, when he lost fifth gear only a few miles into SS1.

Jones was also slowed in the first stage when he picked up a puncture and bent the rear suspension after clipping a rock on the third corner. After changing a wheel and, even with a strange handling car, the young Welshman went fastest on SS2 as Morrow was slowed by his lack of top speed.

Champion's strategy to keep out of trouble and ensure he maintained a top four position was working and he emerged from SS2 in second place, 13 seconds behind Morrow and 12 seconds ahead of Jones.

For Morrow's team, the first service halt of the day was a frantic affair as they swapped the offending dog gearbox for a standard Mitsubishi unit.

Although going over his allocated service time, Morrow was relieved to be back in the rally with just a 10 second penalty applied.

Jones was now on a mission to take the Evo Challenge lead and therefore give himself the best chance of snatching the title if Champion faltered. After setting fastest time on SS3 Jones achieved his target and from then on was not to be toppled from first place.

Stage three served to remind Champion how easily things could go wrong, when he hit a patch of standing water which threw the car sideways. The same puddle was to see Nik Elsmore's Rally take a dive, when water found its way into the car's ECU.

Although able to get the car going again, Elsmore lost nearly 10 minutes and with it, the chance of a good result.

Making a return to the Evolution Challenge for the Bulldog Rally were Neil McCance, Anthony Willmington, Ed Stallard, Paul James and Spain's Alex Sabater and, after four stages and whilst at the second service halt, all reported mixed fortunes but enjoying a final fling before the season's end.

Although not comfortable with his replacement gearbox Morrow took fastest time on SS5 and moved into second place. Jones was now 30 seconds ahead and throwing caution to the wind, admitted he could not drive any faster without taking risks.

McCance and Stallard looked as though they may threaten Champion's third place at one point in the afternoon, but the Champion elect was in control and now determined to get to the finish.

The top three positions were maintained through stages six and seven and when cars returned to Oswestry the leaderboard read: Jones, Morrow and Champion, a result which confirmed Champion as 2005 Evolution Challenge winner and 2006 Mitsubishi works driver.

"I can't quite believe it. I'm just delighted!" said Champion. "It's been so hard to judge how fast to drive today. Knowing I had to finish in the top four meant that I had to maintain a competitive pace, but at the same time be really careful, as a non-finish would have meant losing the title. It's a great relief to get to the finish and I'm really looking forward to driving the works car next year."

Jones was more than satisfied to take his fifth victory of the season, but his celebrations were somewhat muted in the knowledge he had done all he could on this event, but it was not enough to take the title.

"I could do no more than win this rally and I'm pleased to have done that." said Jones. "It's been a great battle all year with Ryan and Phillip and although I've not won the Championship I've won five rounds this season which can't be bad."

Jones also wins the PIAA Junior award for under 25 year old drivers, whilst Morrow scoops the Pirelli Cup and with it the prize of 75 tyres.

After five successful years with ANCRO and the National Rally Championship, organisers of the Evolution Challenge now prepare for 2006, when the series enters its sixth season and its first year running within the British Rally Championship.

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.

Bulldog Rally - Evolution Challenge Results

1 Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Welshpool) - 1h 11m 56.2s
2 Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Simon Morrow (Lisburn) - 1h 12m 40.6
3 Ryan Champion (Whitby)/Craig Thorley (York) - 1h 12m 56.6s
4 Neil McCance (Comber)/Graham Hopewell (Worcester) - 1hr 13m 53.3s
5 Ed Stallard (Cheltenham)/Richard Edwards (Wolverhampton) - 1h 14m 57.3s
6 Alex Sabater (Barcelona)/Miquel Amblas (Barcelona) - 1h 18m 51.1s
7 Paul James (Taunton)/Derek Davies (Swansea) - 1h 19m 16.6s
8 Noel Kelly (Crosby)/James Kelly (Crosby) - 1h 22m 29s
9 Nik Elsmore (Coleford)/Nigel Gardner (New Tredegar) - 1h 25.49.8s


Retirements
SS7 Anthony Willmington (Dorchester)/Ross Butler (Burgess Hill) - Slid off road.

BIRDY BOXES IT OFF IN STYLE
Penrith driver Paul Bird clinched the 2005 MSA National Gravel Rally Championship in fine style with a start to finish victory on today’s Bulldog Rally which comprised the final round of the seven round series.

Fresh from taking his first victory of the year on last month’s Park Systems Stages Rally in Scotland, the Stobart Motorsport Ford Focus WRC driver and co driver Ian Windress (Northallerton) led after the opening stage in Dyfnant and was never headed after 73 miles of the classic mid Welsh forests.

Bird’s only drama was a slight overshoot on a hairpin in Pantperthog (SS4) but apart from that, he was almost plue-perfect all day.

“For whatever reason, I was well fired up for this event and I’m glad I let the driving do the talking today” said the Cumbrian. “The car was perfect, the team and Ian did a great job and I’m delighted. I thought I heard every nut and bolt rattling and I was sure we were going to run out of fuel on the final stage but there was no need to worry!”

Bird’s only challengers for the title suffered various problems during the day but both admitted defeat graciously at the Oswestry finish. Barry Johnson from Shildon and co driver Stewart Merry (Channel Islands) suffered gearbox problems at halfway but the Barrier Surveillance Subaru WRC crew sorted them at second service to eventually claim third position on the rally and Championship runners-up whilst for the Towcester pairing of Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield, they had a rather unique drama.

A combination of turbo problems and lack of grip saw Duckworth run wide on SS2, swiping a Sky Sports camera crew and presenter Andrew Marriott in the process and although all escaped without injury, the camera was destroyed in the impact along with the Autosportif Subaru’s rear windscreen and quarter panel! Duckworth soldiered on to claim fourth and with it, third place in the final standings:

“We came here to win the championship but we didn’t do so we’ll be back next year to try again” said Duckworth whilst Johnson was decidedly downbeat after missing out on the elusive ANCRO title again: “I can’t make excuses but we’ve again had more than our fair share of problems but then again, I guess everyone else has too.”

Comeback driver Craig Middleton (Llandrindod Wells) and Royston co driver Robin Hernaman took their Matador tyres backed ProSpeed Motorsport Skoda Octavia WRC to a fine runner up place on the rally whilst former champions Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery (Flitewise Hyundai Accent WRC) and Steve Perez/Neil Dashfield (VK Vodka Kick Ford Focus WRC) completed the top six.

In the deciding round of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge, it was Yorkshiremen Ryan Champion and Craig Thorley who took a third place finish to clinch the title and with it, the works drive in the BRC for 2006. Local heroes Stuart Jones (Welshpool) and Craig Parry won the class but missed out on the title whilst Ulster brothers Phillip and Simon Morrow finished second on the event and third in the standings.

Ieuan Rowlands and Kelvin Savage took honours in the Peugeot 206 Cup by over two and a half minutes ahead of Mike Faulkner and Steven Clark whilst Duncan Williams and Mike Freeman took class 9 in their Proton Satria. Will Onions and Tim Hobbs were victorious in class 12 in their venerable Ford Escort to join Bird/Windress, Johnson/Merry and Jones/Parry as class winners.

JUST CHAMPION FOR FLYIN’ RYAN
North Yorkshire rally driver Ryan Champion claimed one of the biggest prizes in British Motorsport when he clinched the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Challenge title following yesterday’s Bulldog Rally whereby he finished in third position.

Champion, from Castleton, and York co driver Craig Thorley only needed to finish inside the top four in their class to claim the works Mitsubishi drive in the 2006 British Rally Championship and following a cautious approach, the pair brought the MSR Conchango backed Evo 8 home in ninth place overall and third in class on the final round of the 2005 MSA National Gravel Rally Championship held in mid Wales.

“It was hard work driving at that speed as sometimes you think you are going too slow and then the next minute you feel that it’s a bit quick so it’s been a tough rally for that reason. Everything went perfect and I was just waiting for something to happen as I’ve been in this game long enough to know that the unexpected nearly always happens but I’m delighted that it didn’t for once. The team have done a great job and so has Craig so I’d like to thank them and I’m really looking forward to driving the works car next season” said Champion.

Results
1 Paul Bird/Ian Windress Ford Focus WRC 02 1:08:53.3
2 Craig Middleton/Robin Hernaman Skoda Octavia WRC 1:09:06.8
3 Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry Subaru Impreza WRC 1:09:08.9
4 Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield Subaru Impreza WRC 1:09:45.5
5 Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery Hyundai Accent WRC 1:09:53.3
6 Steve Perez/Neil Dashfield Ford Focus WRC 03 1:09:53.8
7 Stuart Jones/Craig Parry Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 1:11:56.2
8 Phillip Morrow/Simon Morrow Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 1:12:40.6
9 Ryan Champion/Craig Thorley Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 1:12:56.6
10 Alistair Tough/Alistair Mackay Subaru Impreza 1:13:39.4

PRE EVENT NEWS
  • THREE-WAY BATTLE FOR EVO CHALLENGE FINALE
  • Entry List on line
  • ADVANTAGE BIRD GOING INTO FINAL ROUND THRILLER
  • Bulldog is Moving!
THREE-WAY BATTLE FOR EVO CHALLENGE FINALE
Champion must finish fourth or higher to be sure of title.
Jones and Morrow still in with a chance.
Entry boosted by return of series regulars.

Next weekend's Bulldog Rally hosts the eighth and final round of the 2005 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, where the stage is set for a sudden-death battle for the title between the three leading drivers: Ryan Champion, Stuart Jones and Phillip Morrow.

With only six points between them, a retirement would immediately put any of the leading trio out of the running. Therefore, drivers must choose between challenging hard to maintain position or adopt a cautious approach and not make any mistakes.

Ryan Champion goes to the event with a four point advantage and therefore needs to finish fourth or higher to secure the title. For Stuart Jones to claim the prize he must finish first with Champion fifth or lower and for Phillip Morrow to become Champion, he will need to win, with Champion no higher than seventh and Jones no higher than fourth.

But with a seat in a one of the works Mitsubishi Motors UK Evolutions in the 2006 British Rally Championship waiting to be filled by the winner, there's still all to play for and with the BRC banning WRC cars next year, the 2005 Evolution Challenge Champion has an excellent opportunity to become 2006 British Rally Champion!

Although the top three drivers have set the pace in this year's Evolution Challenge, there are a number of Mitsubishi competitors adding to the mix for the Bulldog Rally.

Making a welcome return to the series is Alex Sabater, the Spaniard hiring Ryan Champion's Evolution VI whilst the series leader campaign's the hired Evolution VIII he has used with success for the past six rounds.

Also returning for the final round is previous Evo Challenge regular, Anthony Willmington, whilst other front running protagonists: Nik Elsmore, Ed Stallard and Neil McCance add their names to the entry list and are all drivers who could shape the leaderboard and therefore the outcome of the Championship.

Series stalwarts Paul James and Noel Kelly round off the 10 Evo Challenge entries, a figure which represents 23% of the overall National A entry.

The Bulldog Rally is also the final round of the MSA National Gravel Championship. It starts and finishes in Oswestry and features seven stages in the forests of north east Wales, covering a competitive distance of 73 miles, with two service halts in Dolgellau.

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 Bulldog Rally entered Evolution Challenge competitors in start number order (home towns in brackets)

11 Ryan Champion (Whitby)/Craig Thorley (York)
12 Stuart Jones (Welshpool)/Craig Parry (Welshpool)
14 Phillip Morrow (Lisburn)/Simon Morrow (Lisburn)
15 Nik Elsmore (Coleford)/Nigel Gardner (New Tredegar)
18 Anthony Willmington (Dorchester)/Ross Butler (Burgess Hill)
19 Neil McCance (Comber)/Graham Hopewell (Worcester)
20 Ed Stallard (Cheltenham)/Richard Edwards (Wolverhampton)
21 Alex Sabater (Barcelona)/Miquel Amblas (Barcelona)
32 Paul James (Taunton)/Derek Davies (Swansea)
52 Noel Kelly (Crosby)/James Kelly (Crosby)

Full Entry list on details on:
06/10/05
ADVANTAGE BIRD GOING INTO FINAL ROUND THRILLER
The battle for the 2005 MSA National Gravel Rally Championship will be fought out to its conclusion when a dramatic season comes to an end following the Bulldog Rally later this month.

After his first victory of the campaign last time out in Scotland, Penrith driver Paul Bird holds all the aces as he goes for his first ever rally title on the championship finale which gets underway in the Shropshire town on Oswestry on Saturday 22nd October but if he slips up, then there are still two other drivers in with an outside chance of lifting the crown.

The Stobart Motorsport Ford Focus WRC driver needs only to finish fourth to claim the title and given he’s managed that in five out the preceding six events, it shouldn’t pose too much of a problem for the British Superbike team boss and his co driver Ian Windress.

Newly crowned Scottish champion Barry Johnson from Shildon knows he has to win the event in his ex Petter Solberg Subaru WRC and hope Bird strikes problems if he’s to win the series and likewise, Towcester’s Roger Duckworth (Subaru WRC) can only win the title if he takes outright victory and Bird does not score any points.

“Unlike a couple of the events this year, at least I’ve done the Bulldog before if that counts for anything and I’ll just be driving at my normal pace” said Bird. “When you start backing off and losing concentration, that’s when mistakes creep in and in any case, I’d like to round off the series in style with a win. But the main aim is to get to the finish and obviously we won’t be taking any unnecessary risks” said the Cumbrian.

In the Production Cup, Welshpool’s Stuart Jones holds and eight point advantage over Ulsterman Phillip Morrow and knows that as long as he keeps the County Antrim driver in his sights, he can claim the title in his Mitsubishi Lancer. A fourth place would be sufficient for Yorkshireman Ryan Champion to win the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge at his first attempt and with it the prized works drive in the official British Championship Mitsubishi team for 2006.

Bird has already clinched the Class A8 title and Jonnie Wigmore from Bicester has added A6 to the Peugeot 206 Super Cup and the Innovation Motorsports Late Challenge Cup but there is still plenty to play for in the supporting classes.

Either Northallerton’s Ian Windress or Channel Islander Stewart Merry will clinch the Overall Co Driver’s title depending on the outcome of the Bulldog with their respective drivers Bird and Johnson and York’s Craig Thorley has one hand on three championship trophies himself.

Windress and Robbie Durant from Bicester already have claimed their respective class titles in A8 and A6 whilst Merry has done likewise in B13. Anne Watson from Pollington has boxed off the National Lady Co Driver’s Cup with Swindon’s Shelly Taunt winning the Lady Driver’s class.

Jones and Durant lead their respective classes in the Junior classes for competitors under 25 and either Johnson or Duckworth will be crowned B13 champ on the finish ramp. In the Manufacturer’s standings, M Sport Ford holds sway over Hyundai and Prodrive Subaru whilst Ralliart Mitsubishi heads the Group N standings.

Throw in ANCRO front runners Craig Middleton (ProSpeed Matador Skoda Octavia WRC), ex champ Steve Perez (VK Ford Focus WRC), Andy Burton (Dunlop Peugeot Cosworth) and former double winners Mark Perrott (PBS Ford Escort WRC) and Marcus Dodd (Flitewise Hyundai Accent WRC), the championship front runners are certain not to have it all their own way.

In the Dunlop supported ANCRO Clubman’s Championship, the title was decided on last month’s Park Systems Stages Rally when Allan McDowall from Tarbolton and Gavin Heseltine from Gilberdyke took a fourth successive victory in their Opel Kadett.

However, the battle for runners up is intense with just one point separating Hollingbourne driver James Potter from his fellow Ford Escort Mk 2 driver Alistair Adams (Bewdley) and likewise their respective co drivers Bob Stokoe (East Croydon) and Andy Ballantyne from Totnes.

In the EuroRallye Cup, there is a four way scrap for driver’s honours including Kim Kirk (Exeter), Brian McGuinness (Haverhill), Mike Winfield (Newport Pagnell) and Shipley’s Luke Pinder whilst ‘Polly’ (Stourbrige), Mark Garner (Haverhill) and Andy McGowan (Milton Keynes) are disputing the co drivers title.

Comprising no fewer than eleven different championships, the Wolverhampton and South Stafford Car Club Ltd event still has entries available in all classes and further details are available from Entries Secretary Jim Male on 01902 675470 or by emailing him at bulldog@jimmale.fsnet.co.uk

The Bulldog Rally gets underway from Bulldog Rally Base at 08.30hrs on Saturday 22nd October before competitors return after 73 action-packed miles over seven stages in the classic mid Welsh forests at around 16.30hrs.
18/06/05
Bulldog is Moving!
Wolverhampton and South Staffs Car Club has announced that the 2005 Bulldog Rally will start and finish in Oswestry.

The rally will be based at the cattle market on Shrewsbury Road and the event on the 22nd October will be the final round of the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship 2005.

This year’s rally will be the tenth sponsored by Bulldog Security Products of Much Wenlock, Shropshire. The company manufactures security equipment for commercial, leisure and domestic applications.

Details of the event including timetable, spectator information and competitors’ regulations will appear on club website in due course.

Clerk of the Course, John Trevethick said:
“Oswestry has provided all the facilities we require to run this high profile event in the prestigious National Rally Championship. The Town’s location and communications has helped us to simplify the route of the rally and therefore the costs to the competitors. Everyone we have dealt with from Oswestry and the Cattle Market has been full of enthusiasm for the move and welcomed us with open arms. I see the move as a boost for the event and we intend it make it a benefit to the town.”

Topics: North Wales (Bulldog) 

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