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Manx National Rally - 5-6 May 06

Posted: May 7, 2006 10:36 PM - 9389 Hits

Round 3 - 2006 MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship
Round 3 - 2006 ANCRO MSA National Rally Championship

  • A RECORD BREAKER MCKINSTRY TAKES MANX VICTORY
  • Photos

Photo: www.roydempster.com

Posted: May 7, 2006 10:36 PM

A RECORD BREAKER MCKINSTRY TAKES MANX VICTORY
Ulsterman Kenny McKinstry saw off a late and determined challenge from fellow Subaru WRC driver Roger Duckworth to take a record breaking fourth win on the RBS International Manx Rally today.

Along with co driver Noel Orr, the Banbridge driver led the event overnight and had to fend off both Duckworth and former winner Melvyn Evans (Subaru) to take a 5.1 second victory after fourteen dramatic stages and 120 miles around the closed roads of the Isle of Man.

In doing so, McKinstry beat the record of the late Bertie Fisher as well as Phil Collins, who each took a hat trick on the Manx Auto Club event, on his way to the narrowest victory in recent years.

“The competition was fierce and it was a great fight with Roger. I was going as fast as I could and it was a lot closer than I would have liked. It’s a special event and I’m delighted to take a fourth win” said McKinstry.

Meanwhile Duckworth along with co driver Mark Broomfield, who finished runners up for the third time and was second again in as many years said “We thoroughly enjoyed it and I tried my best but congratulations to Kenny, he drove brilliantly. It looks like we are just not destined to win this event.”

Comeback driver Evans claimed third ahead of defending champions Paul Bird and Ian Windress (Subaru) who endured handling problems throughout the event whilst fifth place went the way of Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery in their Hyundai Accent WRC.

Claiming maximum points in the Subaru Group N Trophy was Alistair Tough and Alister Mackay who finished ahead of Wyn Humphreys and Mark Lewis but Humphreys retains the lead in the Championship, whilst in the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Cup Anthony Willmington saw off the challenge of Tony Thompson and Jon Dunning but despite a heavy roll on the event Thompson still maintains the series lead.

In the Peugeot 206 Super Cup Colin Britton took victory ahead of Mike Harris to make it two wins out of two in the series going into the next round which takes place at the Severn Valley Stages which comprises the next round of the ANCRO Championship on Saturday 3rd June.

Final Results
1. Kenny McKinstry/Noel Orr Subaru Impreza WRC 1:41:07.8
2. Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield Subaru Impreza WRC 1:41:12.9
3. Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally Subaru Impreza WRC 1:41:55.1
4. Paul Bird/Ian Windress Subaru Impreza WRC 1:42:29.5
5. Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery Hyundai Accent WRC 1:44:20.7
6. Jon Ingram/Ian Allsop Ford Focus WRC 1:45:41.9
7. Tony Davies/Patrick Walsh Subaru Impreza WRC 1:46:40.7
8. Steve Fleck/Tony Ettlinger Subaru Impreza WRC 1:47:10.4
9. David Kynaston/Andy Russell Audi A3 1:47:24.8
10. Robert Watson/Robert Fagg Vauxhall Nova 1:49:33.8

PRE EVENT NEWS
  • STARS SET TO BURN RUBBER ON THE MANX
  • PEREZ TEAMS UP WITH MARTIN IN SEARCH OF MANX SUCCESS
  • Kenny McKinistry and Derek McGarrity are the Top 2 seeds for Manx National
  • Full Entry list available
  • Kenny McKinstry enters Manx National
  • Regulations available.
04/05/06
STARS SET TO BURN RUBBER ON THE MANX
Round three of the ANCRO-organised 2006 MSA Gravel Rally Championship roars into action when a bumper entry takes to the closed-off streets of Port Erin in the Isle of Man for the opening stage of the RBS International Manx Rally.

Boasting one of the most impressive entry lists in the event’s recent history, and complimenting the support from new sponsors RBS International, the cream of the British Isles tarmac specialists will do battle around the closed Manx lanes over Friday evening and Saturday.

Aiming to win his fourth ‘mini-Manx’ will be Ulsterman Kenny McKinstry along with co-driver Noel Orr in their Subaru Impreza WRC and he’ll be hoping to get further than he did on the opening round of the series when he retired on SS2 of Rallye Sunseeker.

Last year’s winners, Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield (Towcester) will be looking for maximum ANCRO points again this year in their trusty Subaru WRC, as will defending champions Paul Bird from Penrith and co driver Ian Windress, also in a Subaru, who have yet to sample outright victory on his beloved Island whereby Bird’s bike racing teams have enjoyed much success over the years at the TT Races.

Jointly leading the series going into the championship’s only all-tarmac round are Shildon’s Barry Johnson (Subaru) along with co driver Stewart Merry and Chesterfield businessman Steve Perez who has drafted in Ford works co driver Scott Martin into his Ford Focus WRC. Neither driver are renowned tarmac experts but will be looking for solid points towards their championship challenge.

Looking to put last year’s disappointment of retirement behind them are the Hyundai Accent WRC of former champion Marcus Dodd and Isle of Man born co driver Andrew Bargery whilst round one winners Craig Middleton and Robin Hernaman may be out in something different other than their similar car.

None-registered competitors who are expected to figure well up the leaderboard include three times Circuit of Ireland winner Derek McGarrity , MSA Ashphalt leader Tony Davies and Newbury’s Steve Fleck (all Subaru WRC’s). Keep an eye out too for the progress of former winner Melvyn Evans (Subaru) and the venerable MG Metro 6R4 challenge of the likes of John Price and John Bogie.

The RBS International Manx Rally is also a qualifying round of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Cup which, after two rounds, is led by Tony Thompson from County Durham in his Lancer EVO8 but right behind him is Anthony Willmington from Godmanstone who will be hoping to overhaul Thompson as the event progresses.

Wyn Humphries leads The Subaru Group N Trophy following victory last time out in a snowy Keilder Forest and he’ll be chased hard by round one winner Alistair Tough whilst in the Total Motorsport Solutions Peugeot 206 Super Cup, County Fermanagh’s Declan Magee heads the way.

Local interest on the event centres on Robbie Watson from Greeba and co driver Rob Fagg who managed a top ten placing last year in their two wheel drive Vauxhall Nova Kit Car and expect local knowledge to help the likes of Nigel Cannell, Steve Quine and Shaun Fox who crashed out on SS1 last year.

More details on the event can be found at www.manxrally.org and information on the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship is listed at www.gravelrally.co.uk. Results can be found at www.ancro.info

The first car leaves the start of the RBS International Manx Rally in Port Erin at 7.00pm on Friday 5th May. After completion of the first four special stages, including a 21-miler in part-darkness, competitors return to the TT Grandstand for an overnight halt. The second leg begins at 8.45am on Saturday morning and, ten stages later, the podium finish and traditional champagne-spraying are back at the Grandstand at 4.30pm in the afternoon.

PEREZ TEAMS UP WITH MARTIN IN SEARCH OF MANX SUCCESS
2004 ANCRO National Rally Champion Steve Perez is hoping to consolidate his championship challenge when the RBS International Manx Rally gets underway in Douglas on Friday evening (5th May).  

The VK Vodka Kick driver jointly leads the 2006 series after two rounds and is hoping that his recent Rally Catalunya experience will stand him in good stead for the super-fast tarmac lanes of the Isle of Man as he goes in search of his first victory on the Island.  

But Perez has just unveiled a secret weapon to help him and the ex Dani Sola Ford Focus WRC 05 steal a march on his rivals by engaging the services of former Ford works co-driver Scott Martin for the remainder of the seven round series.  

Martin made his name partnering Matthew Wilson up until their huge smash last year but with Perez’s involvement with the Stobart VK rally team and the British Rally Elite – of which Martin is a member – the Chesterfield businessman feels confident of success:  

“Scott knows the car very well and has gained lots of experience in recent times with Matthew. He’s delighted to be back in a Ford Focus WRC again and it will also stand him in good stead for the future. We have high hopes for the Manx and having learned so much in Spain, I can’t wait to put myself to the test again although the roads are slightly different. There’s a very strong entry but the main thing is to come away with as many ANCRO points as possible and I’m intending to raise my game accordingly” said Perez.         

The first car leaves the start of the RBS International Manx Rally in Port Erin at 7.00pm on Friday 5th May. After completion of the first four special stages, including a 21-miler in part-darkness, competitors return to the TT Grandstand for an overnight halt. The second leg begins at 8.45am on Saturday morning and, ten stages later, the podium finish and traditional champagne-spraying are back at the Grandstand at 4.30pm in the afternoon.  

25/04/06
Full Entry list on:
04/04/06
Kenny McKinstry and Noel Orr are one of the early entries for the Manx National rally.

Details on:
14/03/06
120 stage miles on some of Europe's fastest tarmac stages
4 stages on Friday evening followed with a further 10 on Saturday Regulations and Entry form on:

Topics: Manx National 

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