Hamsterley Forest Stages Rally - 13 Nov 05

Posted: November 14, 2005 9:41 PM

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DUCKWORTH WINS, PETCH STARS IN HAMSTERLEY....
HOT FAVOURITE JOHNSON CRASHES OUT AT 100mph

Midlands marauders Roger Duckworth and co driver Mark Broomfield made the long trip from Towcester worthwhile when they emerged victorious on yesterday’s dramatic SG Petch Hamsterley Forest Stages Rally, but the former ANCRO National Champions were made to fight all the way after a concerted effort from the local contingent.

Using the event to test parts prior to a winter rebuild on his Autosportif Subaru WRC, Duckworth had to play second fiddle in the opening loop to double Scottish Champion and winner of the inaugural event following a return of rallying to Hamsterley Forest two years ago, local ace Barry Johnson and his co driver Stewart Merry, who had started as red hot favourites to succeed on the Shildon driver’s local event.

All was going to plan for Johnson in the Barrier Surveillance Subaru WRC S9 who held a 14 second lead after the opening pair of treacherously slippery stages whilst lurking menacingly in the shadows was Jamaican John Powell - who had roped in Mitsubishi Evo winner Ryan Champion as co driver in the MSR Motorsport Lancer – in an impressive third.

Johnson extended his lead on SS3 before disaster struck on SS4 when he went off at over 100mph damaging the front of the John Pye Motorsport-prepared car as well as injuring a wrist which forced him into retirement.

That left Duckworth to take up the cudgels ahead of Ripon MSC member Tim Pearcey from Harrogate and co driver Colin Stockill in their Kerridge sponsored MSR Motorsport Mitsubishi whilst Hyundai Accent WRC debutante Stephen Petch from Scorton and his co driver Mike Wilkinson (Tow Law) were scrapping with another Ripon MSC pair in the shape of the Ford Puma Evo 4 x 4 of Leeming’s Kevin Procter and Mike Gilby (Northallerton).

Sensibly, Duckworth eased the pace on the final 12 mile test as he scented victory but the battle was on for runner up spot and Petch showed he was a chip off the old block by setting a sizzling pace in dad Steve’s car to snatch second place from the impressive Pearcey in the final few miles with Procter claiming fourth.

Bishop Auckland driver Tristan Pye and co driver Andrew Roughead finished fifth in their JPM Subaru ahead of Ingleton’s Tony Thompson and co driver Jon Dunning (MSR Mitsubishi Lancer) whilst the Newcastle pairing of Michael Glendinning and Ron Roughead (Subaru Impreza) edged out Cumbrians William Jarman and Alex Benn (Ford Escort Cosworth).

Worksop’s Donovan Jenkin/Ian Bass (Ford Escort WRC) claimed ninth ahead of Yorkshiremen Greg Wilkinson/Jonathan Padgett (Ford Escort Cosworth) whilst class wins went the way of Pickering crew Steve Magson/Geoff Atkinson (Vauxhall Astra), Carl/Rob Tuer (Proton Satria) from Danby Wiske, Morton on Swale’s Charlie Taylor/Steve Beilby (Ford Escort) and Beverly pairing Andy Carter/Jo Briggs (Vauxhall Nova).

Other local crews included West Rounton’s Chris Blake and co driver Tony Walker (Ford Escort Cosworth) in 12th overall, the Bedale pairing of Glen Workman and Helen Kennedy (Ford Sierra Cosworth) in 14th and Exelby’s Chris Lewis and Matt Whattham (Mitsubishi Lancer) in 15th.

Phil Morton from Stanley, partnered by Steve Waggett from Sedgefield, had a good run to 28th overall and second in class 1 in the classic Datsun Coupe built and prepared by Phil and backed by Bondisle Motor Sport from Stanhope whilst John Powell and Castleton’s Ryan Champion ended up 28th after a time consuming off.

Ripon driver Gary Beckwith with Sarah Craven on the maps took a fine 36th overall in their Ford Escort whilst Bedale’s Nick Dale and Kevin Hare clinched 39th overall in their Talbot Sunbeam, six places ahead of Consett driver Derrick Fawcett and co driver Ian Jackson from Hartburn in their Vauxhall Nova.

The Thirsk crew of Chris Wise and Tracey Taylor West ended up 51st in their Ford Escort with Evenwood’s Mark Thompson and co driver Giles Dykes (Barnard Castle) making his gravel debut and finishing in 53rd in his Peugeot 206.

Stanley’s Garry Johnson and Phil Bond suffered gearbox problems in their Vauxhall Corsa but made it to the finish in 56th place with Mickleton’s Alistair Hutchinson and co driver St John Dykes dropping to 61st after stopping to chance a wheel in their LPG powered Renault Clio.

Northallerton drivers Jonathan Bean (Talbot Sunbeam) and Darren Grimston (Ford Escort) both suffered excursions on SS1 which dropped them down to 63rd and 64th respectively but the opening stage claimed the Ford Escort of Masham’s Richard Welford with electrical problems.

Other Ripon MSC members who saw the finish included Rod Bennett/Henry Richardson (Lancia Delta Integrale) in 20th, Mally Norris/Donna Harper (Ford Escort) in 25th, Alexander Lund/Dan Loveday (Ford Escort) in 31st, Graham Haigh/Mick Johnson (Ford Escort) in 43rd and Andy Chalmers/Gem Cantrell (Peugeot 205) in 46th.

Top Ten
1 Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield Subaru Impreza WRC 32m 27s
2 Stephen Petch/Mike Wilkinson Hyundai Accent WRC 32:54
3 Tim Pearcey/Colin Stockill Mitsubishi Lancer 33:22
4 Kevin Procter/Mike Gilby Ford Puma Evo 4 x 4 33:49
5 Tristan Pye/Andrew Roughead Subaru Impreza 34:22
6 Tony Thompson/Jon Dunning Mitsubishi Lancer 34:27
7 Michael Glendinning/Ron Roughead Subaru Impreza 34:52
8 William Jarman/Alex Benn Ford Escort Cosworth 36:49
9 Donovan Jenkin/Ian Bass Ford Escort WRC 36:50
10 Greg Wilkinson/Jonathan Padgett Ford Escort Cosworth 36:54

Ripon motorsportsclub.co.uk

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• JOHNSON HEADS SG PETCH HAMSTERLEY STAGES RALLY ENTRY
• ENTRIES FLOOD IN FOR 2005 SG PETCH HAMSTERLEY FOREST STAGES RALLY
• ALL GO FOR 2005 SG PETCH HAMSTERLEY FOREST STAGES RALLY

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08/11/05
JOHNSON HEADS SG PETCH HAMSTERLEY STAGES RALLY ENTRY
DUCKWORTH HEADS NORTH AND YOUNG PETCHY MAKES WRC DEBUT

Double Scottish Champion and winner of the inaugural event following a return of rallying to Hamsterley Forest two years ago, local ace Barry Johnson heads a 100 car capacity entry for next Sunday’s SG Petch Hamsterley Forest Stages Rally.

And whilst the Shildon businessman along with Channel Island co driver Stewart Merry start as hot favourites in their ex Petter Solberg Subaru WRC, they can expect a strong challenge from a host of drivers on the annual Ripon Motorsport Club event which comprises rounds of three regional championships, including the Walkers Garage/Tecno 2 ANECCC Stage Rally Championship, the Kent Cams ANCC Forest Rally Championship and the Peugeot 1.6/1.4 & RWD Challenge Championship as well as the BMW 325i series.

“Having seen a copy of the entry list, it’s going to be hard for us to retain our crown but we’ll be giving it a go that is for sure. It’s fantastic that there has been huge support this time and I hope it’s as enjoyable as the last event a couple of years ago” said Johnson, who finished runner up in the 2005 MSA National Gravel Rally Championship.

Taking the fight to Johnson will be former ANCRO National Champion Roger Duckworth who is making a surprise trip north along with co driver Mark Broomfield in their Subaru WRC. The Towcester crew are using the event to test parts prior to a winter rebuild and despite being unfamiliar with the territory, they are expected to feature strongly.

“We had gearbox problems last time out so we needed somewhere to see if we have sorted them and Hamsterley fitted the bill” said the 1998 champion. “I don’t think we’ll be challenging Barry as it’s a long time since we’ve been up there!”

Local driver Tony Thompson from Ingleton finished runner up to Johnson two years ago and despite not competing much this season due to business commitments, he and co driver Jon Dunning have entered in their MSR prepared Mitsubishi whilst Leeming driver Kevin Procter and co driver Mike Gilby are sure to be in with a shout in their Ford Puma Evo 4 x 4.

Harrogate’s Tim Pearcey and co driver Cliff Simmons will be hoping for top honours in their showroom specification Group N Mitsubishi but they will no doubt come up against it with the likes of Newcastle driver Michael Glendinning and co driver Andrew Roughead (Subaru) as well as the Hexham Mitsubishi crew of Tony Arnsby and Phil Cook.

Making his debut in a World Rally Car will be Hamsterley resident Stephen Petch who along with Tow Law co driver Mike Wilkinson will be at the wheel of an SGP Hyundai Accent whilst more WRC machinery will be present in the hands of Midlanders Donovan Jenkin and Ian Bass in their Ford Escort.

Nostalgia will also be returning to County Durham with the 1990 ex works Toyota Celica run by Kevin Garthwaite, complete in original colours, as will the ex Juha Kankkunen Lancia Delta Integrale of Andover farmer Rod Bennett whilst the usual plethora of two wheel drive cars is headed by Northallerton’s Charlie Taylor and co driver Steve Beilby in thier Ford Escort Mk2.

With local motor dealer and regular competitor Steve Petch once again kindly agreeing to sponsor the event through his company SG Petch, who have retail outlets throughout the region, the event is eagerly awaited as rallying makes a welcome return to this classic forest which claimed many international scalps when it was a regular (and popular) feature of the old Lombard RAC Rally in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Spectators are welcome at the venue but are advised that access to the forest is strictly regulated and that the stages are a considerable walk (of up to three miles and occasionally in thick undergrowth) from the only car parking available as most tracks in the forest are being used competitively.

Spectator Information
SS1 Pennington 1 09:00
SS2 Neighbour Moor 1 09:15
Service 1 The Grove 11:55
SS3 Pennington 2 13:00
SS4 Neighbour Moor 2 13:15
Service 2 The Grove 13:30
SS5 King’s Crag 15:00

Top Ten
1 Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry Subaru Impreza WRC
2 Tony Thompson/Jon Dunning Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8
3 Michael Glendinning/Andrew Roughead Subaru Impreza
4 Kevin Procter/Mike Gilby Ford Puma Evo 4 x 4
5 Tim Pearcey/Cliff Simmons Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6
6 Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield Subaru Impreza WRC
7 Donovan Jenkin/Ian Bass Ford Escort WRC
8 Roland Llewellyn/Martin Jones BMW 325
9 Tony Arnsby/Phil Cook Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8
10 Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson Hyundai Accent WRC

Ripon motorsportsclub.co.uk

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20/10/05
Following last year’s cancellation when not enough entries were received, there is to be no such repeat this year as with still over two weeks to go until the closing date on November 5th, Ripon Motor Sport Club Ltd have received over sixty entries so far for the 2005 SG Petch Hamsterley Forest Stages Rally which takes place on Sunday 13th November.

And with only a hundred places available in total including reserves, and no preferential selection system whereby places are reserved for expected latecomers, all potential entrants are being urged to get their entries in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Having not been used for motorsport for many years, cars returned to Hamsterley in 2003 with great success following the cancellation of RMSC’s Riponian Rally earlier that year and saw victory go the way of local ace Barry Johnson from Shildon with another County Durham driver Tony Thompson from Ingleton following him home.

Both drivers have submitted entries for this year’s event and other top drivers already entered include Ripon MSC’s Mitsubishi aces Tim Pearcey from Harrogate and Bedale driver Chris Lewis whilst Midlander Donovan Jenkin will take to the wheel of a Ford Escort WRC. Stephen Petch, from nearby Hamsterley, is entered and may turn out in father Steve’s Hyundai Accent WRC for his local event and Rob Bennett from Andover turns back the clock when he takes to the stages in his ex Juha Kankkunen Lancia Delta Integrale.

In the two wheel drive classes, Evenwood’s Mark Thompson (Peugeot 206) will take on the likes of Morton on Swale’s Charlie Taylor (Ford Escort) and Northallerton’s Darren Grimston in a similar car whilst the Bedale Talbot Sunbeam contingent of Nick Dale and Jonathan Bean will be a major threat.

The event incorporates three regional championships, including the Walkers Garage/Tecno 2 ANECCC Stage Rally Championship, the Kent Cams ANCC Forest Rally Championship and the Peugeot 1.6/1.4 & RWD Challenge Championship as well as the BMW 325i series meaning a capacity field is expected.

Local motor dealer and regular competitor Steve Petch has once again kindly agreed to sponsor the event through his company SG Petch, who have retail outlets throughout the region, and the SGP Motorsport team will be out in force that weekend too.

With the entry fee costing a bargain £280 for 44 competitive miles and with centralised servicing inside the forest meaning there is no need for chase cars and no public road mileage, the event offers superb value for money is a classic forest which claimed many international scalps when it was a regular (and popular) feature of the old Lombard RAC Rally in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

With scrutineering taking place in the forest from Saturday afternoon onwards, there will be overnight parking available as well as basic camp site facilities, including food and a bar.

The event also offers competitors the ideal opportunity to test for the following weekend’s Roger Albert Clarke Rally which also visits the region. Given the rally is on maps as opposed to pacenotes, the format will be similar to the RAC and uses a similar gravel surface to the roads in Keilder Forest.

Regulations are available on line at

Ripon motorsportsclub.co.uk

or by contacting Entries Secretary Annette Beckwith at fw-ajbeckwith@ripon30.fsnet.co.uk or by calling +44 1765 600587 (01765 600587) (before 9pm).

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24/09/05
ALL GO FOR 2005 SG PETCH HAMSTERLEY FOREST STAGES RALLY
The popular and little-used forest of Hamsterley in County Durham will echo to the sound of modern day rally cars when Ripon Motorsport Club organises the 2005 SG Petch Hamsterley Forest Stages Rally which takes place on Sunday 13th November.

Having not been used for motorsport for many years, cars returned to Hamsterley in 2003 with great success following the cancellation of RMSC’s Riponian Rally earlier that year and saw victory go the way of local ace Barry Johnson from Shildon with another County Durham driver Tony Thompson from Ingleton following him home.

Johnson was hoping to defend his title last year but sadly the event was cancelled due to lack of entries but this year, the double Scottish Champion has vowed to be back:

“I shall be there once again and I’m hoping to win the rally for a second time” said the former trials rider. “It’s my local event and on my doorstep so it’s a bad job if I can’t support it but I know there’ll be plenty of good drivers around also so it’s not going to be easy” conceded Johnson who will drive the ex Petter Solberg Subaru Impreza WRC on the 44 stage mile rally.

The event incorporates three regional championships, including the Walkers Garage/Tecno 2 ANECCC Stage Rally Championship, the Kent Cams ANCC Forest Rally Championship and the Peugeot 1.6/1.4 & RWD Challenge Championship meaning a capacity field is expected.

Local motor dealer and regular competitor Steve Petch has once again kindly agreed to sponsor the event through his company SG Petch, who have retail outlets throughout the region, and the SGP Motorsport team will be out in force that weekend too.

With the entry fee costing a bargain £280 and with centralised servicing inside the forest meaning there is no need for chase cars and no public road mileage, the event offers superb value for money is a classic forest which claimed many international scalps when it was a regular (and popular) feature of the old Lombard RAC Rally in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

With scrutineering taking place in the forest from Saturday afternoon onwards, there will be overnight parking available as well as basic camp site facilities, including food and a bar.

The event also offers competitors the ideal opportunity to test for the following weekend’s Roger Albert Clark Rally which also visits the region. Given the rally is on maps as opposed to pacenotes, the format will be similar to the RAC and uses a similar gravel surface to the roads in Keilder Forest.

Regulations are available on line at

Ripon motorsportsclub.co.uk

or by contacting Entries Secretary Annette Beckwith at fw-ajbeckwith@ripon30.fsnet.co.uk or by calling +44 1765 600587 (01765 600587) (before 9pm).

Potential marshals should contact Chief Marshal, David Walmsley on +44 7831 596292 (07831 596292).