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LinksTHE RALLY SHOW @ CHATSWORTH - 29-30 Sep 07
Posted: October 2, 2007 8:17 PM - 7394 Hits
THE RALLY SHOW at CHATSWORTH
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th September
2007
- Event/Rally Reports
Ray Cunningham / Elaine Cunningham win Historic Event
Posted: October 2, 2007 8:17 PM
Event/Rally Reports
Ray Cunningham / Elaine Cunningham win Historic Event
Judging by comments from spectators, exhibitors and participants, the inaugural Rally Show at Chatsworth was deemed a success and the organisers are now planning a similar event to run in the autumn of 2008.
Spectators came from as far afield as Ireland, Scotland and Wales, while the organisers of motorsport events in South Africa visited Chatsworth to discuss the timing and results package used to manage the five competitive events.
"This morning (Monday 1 October), we are able to confirm that The Rally Show at Chatsworth attracted around 10,000 paying spectators, which is immensely encouraging for a brand new event", said a spokesperson for the Show.
A complete set of event results and photos can be downloaded from the event website: http://www.therallyshow.org.
A short report on each of the five competitive events follows.
EVENT 1 - POST-HISTORIC & CLASSIC RALLY CARS
Yorkshire's Peter Slights won the first of five events at the inaugural Rally Show, despite admitting that he drove one stage "like a fairy". After Slights set fastest time on the first of three runs over the 1.17-mile stage, Steve Perez (Lancia Stratos) won the second, to close within half a second, but he spun on the third. "You had to be focused. The event was won or lost on a single corner," said Slights. Precise and tidy runs netted class wins for Welshman Richard Hill (Escort RS1800) and Galway's Ray Cunningham (Mini Cooper S).
Results after three runs of the "Park Stage" (1.17 miles):
1. Peter Slights / Joyce Champion, Ford Escort RS1800, 5m 17.58s.
2. Richard Hill / Stephen Morton, Ford Escort RS1800, 5m 23.39s.
3. Ray Cunningham / Elaine Cunningham, Mini Cooper S, 5m 27.93s.
11 starters; 11 finishers.
EVENT 2 - ALL-COMERS
Paul Bird (Penrith) left the rest of the 19-car field in the wake of his Stobart/VK Subaru, but sportingly declined the winner's trophy, which was presented to Chris Wise (MG Metro 6R4). Warren Philliskirk was quickest of a trio of Metros on the first run, but faded on the second, allowing Stuart Larbey to take third by less than one second. Dick Slaughter, in an ex-Roger Clark Escort, was quickest of the Class 1 cars, to take a creditable class win and seventh overall.
Results after two runs of the "Park Stage" (1.17 miles):
1. Paul Bird / Ian Windress, Subaru Impreza WRC, 3m 04.85s.
2. Chris Wise / Tracey Taylor West, MG Metro 6R4, 3m 16.46s.
3. Stuart Larbey / Simon Larbey, MG Metro 6R4, 3m 16.46s.
4. Warren Philliskirk / Emma Slights, MG Metro 6R4, 3m 16.46s.
19 starters; 19 finishers.
EVENT 3 - HISTORIC CARS
Galway's Ray Cunningham (Cooper S) provided the surprise of the event, beating the Porsche 911s of former historic champions John Keatley and Steve Perez. "I am surprised that we could be so competitive, especially as conditions were drying out. We came here to have fun. Winning was a bonus," said Cunningham. Jonathan Gale (Lotus Cortina) took fourth overall and first in class.
Results after two runs of the "House Stage" (1.79 miles):
1. Ray Cunningham / Elaine Cunningham, Mini Cooper S, 4m 23.40s. 2. John Keatley / Mervyn Johnson, Porsche 911, 4m 23.85s.
3. Steve Perez / Dan Sutherland, Porsche 911, 4m 36.85s.
9 starters; 9 finishers.
EVENT 4 - POST-HISTORIC & CLASSIC RALLY CARS
Bjorn Waldegaard's fastest time on the first of two runs was enough for the 1979 World Champion from Sweden to eventually to beat Dick Slaughter by 1.12 seconds. Welshman Gwyndaf Evans (VK Escort) was fastest on the second run, but a navigational error on the first stage dropped him to last place. Mike Anderson (Porsche 911) was third on his first run, but hit a tree on the second, fortunately without injury. Escort RS1800s filled the first six places; the first non-Ford was the Sunbeam Lotus of Adrian Seabridge. Steve Perez (Lancia Stratos) finished ninth and won his class.
Results after two runs of the "House Stage" (1.79 miles):
1. Bjorn Waldegaard / David Holmes, Ford Escort RS1800, 4m 20.91s.
2. Dick Slaughter / James Slaughter, Ford Escort RS1800, 4m 22.03s.
3. Jason Lepley / Sue Lepley, Ford Escort RS1800, 4m 22.49s.
16 starters; 16 finishers.
EVENT 5 - FIA CATEGORIES
Not surprisingly, after driving in three of the five events, Chesterfield's Steve Perez (Ford Focus WRC) emerged as winner of the headline event of The Rally Show weekend. Second place went to his best buddy and fiercest rival, Paul Bird (Stobart Subaru), whose driving style put the emphasis more on showmanship than speed. Perez said: "This format of event has been a great introduction to rallying for everyone. Good atmosphere, safe viewing and easy access to legendary drivers and wonderful cars."
Results after two runs of the "House Stage" (1.79 miles):
1. Steve Perez / Mark James, Ford Focus WRC, 3m 45.04s.
2. Paul Bird / Ian Windress, Subaru Impreza WRC, 3m 50.92s.
3. Barry Jordan /Hugh Peat, Subaru Impreza, 4m 18.66s.
9 starters; 9 finishers.
Details:
PRE EVENT NEWS
- Almost 50 of the 75 entry places now filled;
entries still open.
:: National Rally Champion Paul Bird (Penrith) confirmed with Stobart Subaru.
:: M-Sport to demonstrate 2007 Ford Focus World Rally Car.
:: Original Audi quattro S1 to feature in "History of Rallying".
- 1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist
confirms his entry.
25 of the 75 entry places now filled. - Regulations available for the competitive elements.
- Vic Elford - Monte Carlo Rally and Daytona 24 Hours Race winner - confirmed.
- Mini Celebration.
- Original "Flying Finns" make guest appearance.
- Billy Coleman confirmed
- British & World Rally Championship title winners
- Russell Brookes and Martin Rowe confirmed as guests. - Demonstrations by 25 of the world's finest rally cars.
- The two-day event will include: Three competitive special stage rallies, A pageant of "Rallying History", Precision and stunt-driving displays, Motor sport exhibitions & more.
24/08/07
:: Almost 50 of the 75 entry places now filled; entries still open.
:: National Rally Champion Paul Bird (Penrith) confirmed with Stobart Subaru.
:: M-Sport to demonstrate 2007 Ford Focus World Rally Car.
:: Original Audi quattro S1 to feature in "History of Rallying".
Almost two-thirds of the competitive entries for the inaugural Rally Show at Chatsworth have now been filled, but entries remain open until 7 September.
Paul Bird, the 2005 MSA National Gravel Rally Champion, will be driving an ex-Petter Solberg Subaru World Rally Car. His recent outing in the Stobart-liveried Subaru netted fourth place on the Total Rally Isle of Man. Bird's rally experience and outgoing personality should make him a favourite, not only for overall victory, but also with the spectators.
While the latest Ford Focus World Rally Car leads the World Championship, it will not make its competitive debut in the UK until the first weekend in December, on Wales Rally GB. However, British fans will be able to enjoy the awesome performance of the 2007 car during a number of demonstrations runs at Chatsworth. Team principal Malcolm Wilson has not yet disclosed who will be driving, but it expected to be a headline name.
The "History of Rallying" will feature 25 of the most famous historic rally cars, ranging from the Alpine Rally-winning Jaguar XK120 (kindly supplied by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust); a Ford Lotus Cortina to be demonstrated by David and Jill Sutton; a Nissan 240Z driven by "works" driver Tony Fall; an ex-Rauno Aaltonen Mini Cooper S (now owned by Bridgnorth's Peter Barker); an ex-Carlos Sainz Lancia Delta Integrale and an original 444bhp Audi quattro S1.
Twenty two drivers have signed up for Stage Sessions in a variety of interesting cars, including an MG Metro 6R4, two Porsche 911s,an Audi quattro and two Hawk HF kit cars (based on the emotive Lancia Stratos). There are seven remaining Stage session places.
The event is well supported by car club displays, with strong interest from rally car clubs - including Toyota GT4s, Midland Scoobies, Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, Lancia Stratos Enthusiasts, Lancia Integrales, Club Alpine Renault, Lexus Owners, Renault 5 Turbos and Suzuki Swifts - and local motor clubs - including Lindholme Motor Club, Clowne & District Motor Club, Matlock Motor Club, Mid-Derbyshire Motor Club and Sheffield & Hallam Motor Club. Clubs wishing to display will find booking details on The Rally Show website.
Event and stage sponsorship is available. Currently supporting the event are Renault UK (http://www.renault.co.uk), Global Brands Ltd, through their flagship brand VK Vodka Kick (http://www.clubvk.com) and Matlock-based Stancliffe Stone Company Ltd (http://www.stancliffe.com).
Spectator tickets - available for either Saturday or Sunday, or for both days - can be purchased in advance until Tuesday 18 September. A pre-purchased, two-day adult ticket is £21, including an Official Programme worth £5. Children aged 9-16 pay reduced rates; children under 9 (when accompanied by an adult) are admitted free.
For more details, visit
16/07/07
1984 World Rally Champion Stig Blomqvist confirms his entry.
25 of the 75 entry places now filled.
Sweden's Stig Blomqvist is among the drivers who have entered the competitive element of the Rally Show at Chatsworth. The 61-year-old Swede, crowned World Champion in 1984, will be driving a Ford Escort in the Historic category, entered by David Sutton of Historic Motor Sport Ltd.
"Stig will be the one to watch and the one to beat in the Historic category. He may be over 60, but he has lost none of his competitive edge," said event organiser Malcolm Neill.
One third of the 75 places reserved for competitive rally cars have now been filled, with cars ranging from a 1300cc Mini Cooper S to a 3.9-litre Triumph TR7 V8.
There are five distinct events, catering for a wide variety of cars and each with a net entry fee of £50. Entries close on Friday 17 August. Entry forms are available on www.therallyshow.org.
The "History of Rallying" feature has 25 of the most famous historic rally cars, ranging from the Alpine Rally winning Jaguar XK120 (kindly supplied by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust); a Ford Lotus Cortina to be demonstrated by David and Jill Sutton; former works driver Tony Fall with his Nissan 240Z; the ex Rauno Aaltonen Mini Cooper S of Peter Barker; to the ex Carlos Sainz Lancia Delta Integrale, now owned by Mike Rimmer.
Stage Sessions allow drivers with suitably-modified road cars and rally cars to enjoy up to four hours of high-speed driving over the same stages as the competitive events for £165. This includes a pair of two-day tickets and technical hints and tips from former FIA World Production Car Champion, Martin Rowe.
"Not surprisingly, with Martin Rowe on hand to help drivers get the most out of this unique driving experience, almost half the 40 Stage Sessions are already booked," said Malcolm Neill. Closing date for applications is Friday 31 August.
Spectators who purchase at least one adult ticket before 1 August will be entered in a free draw to win a chauffeured ride in a rally car; 12 such rides are on offer. For more details, visit www.therallyshow.org and click on "Order Tickets". A pre-purchased, two-day adult ticket is £21, including an Official Programme worth £5.
The event is well supported by car club displays, with strong interest from rally car clubs, in particular Toyota GT4s, Midland Scoobies, Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, Lancia Stratos Enthusiasts, Lancia Integrales, Club Alpine Renault, etc. Applications from clubs close at the end of August.
More Details:
20/06/07
Regulations available for the competitive elements.
Regulations for the competitive elements of The Rally Show at Chatsworth are now available from the event website, www.therallyshow.org. The inaugural event is open to Historic, Post- Historic and Classic rally cars, cars complying with MSA Vehicle Regulations and those with current FIA homologation.
Entries opened on Monday 11 June and close on Friday 17 August.
Entry fee is £100+VAT per car, with £50 returned on starting the event.
The maximum entry for each of the five competitive events is 15, with three reserves.
The latest motorsport legend to accept an invitation to the Rally Show is British-born Vic Elford, the gifted all-rounder whose outright wins with Porsche include the 1968 Monte Carlo Rally and the Daytona 24 Hours race - a week apart!
In the same year, Vic made his Formula One debut in a Cooper, starting from last place on the grid of the French GP, but eventually finishing the rain- lashed race in fourth place.
The 72-year-old (now US-based) also won the very first rallycross meeting at Lydden Hill in 1967, driving a near-standard Porsche 911. He won the British Touring Car Championship, with the same car, in the same year!
For more information on Vic Elford, please visit www.vicelford.com.
Commenting on progress so far, Malcolm Neill (Event Director of The Rally Show at Chatsworth) said: "After listening to prospective competitors, we will be running five competitive events, two on Saturday and three on Sunday.
"Three of these events are for the increasingly popular Historic car categories, which guarantee high-speed, sideways driving.
"The 'All Comers' event, with classes for cars up to 2500cc and over 2500cc, should bring out some very unusual and spectacular cars on Saturday.
"The final event of the weekend will be for World Rally Cars and other current models competing at the highest level of national motorsport.
"All the events will be short and sharp, with timing to 1/100th of a second, with each stage followed by a five-minute service before starting the stage again. There will be two different stages, one on Saturday for the first two events and another on Sunday for the remaining three."
With a minimal entry fee, which includes two-day admission to the show for four persons, the event should be great value for competitors, particularly in terms of promotion and sponsor support.
"It is not often that rallying visits a venue like Chatsworth, where competitors can bring family and friends to a location which offers so many other attractions," added Neill.
"We have received a very enthusiastic response from prospective competitors. Within 24 hours of the regulations being published, we had our first two entries!"
Early entries include;
:: David Watkins (Beverley, Yorkshire) drives the 1970 Thousand Lakes-winning ex-works Ford Escort.
:: Philip White (Washington, Tyne & Wear). The reigning BTRDA N3 champion drives a Mitsubishi Lancer.
:: David Stokes (Dursley, Gloucestershire). The 1976 National Rally Champion drives a Ford Escort RS1600.
21/05/07
Mini Celebration.
Original "Flying Finns" make guest appearance.
The Rally Show at Chatsworth will celebrate a milestone anniversary for one of rallying's most emotive cars - the BMC Mini Cooper.
Throughout the early- and mid-1960s, international rallying was dominated by variants of Mini, many of them tuned by the Cooper Car Company (www.johncooper.co.uk).
Sadly, this domination came to an end in 1967, the year in which the Abingdon-based team won four of the world's most famous rallies: Monte Carlo (with Rauno Aaltonen*), Acropolis and Coupe des Alpes (with Paddy Hopkirk) and Finland's 1000 Lakes Rally (with Timo Makinen*). *(www.flyingfinns.com)
The success of these three legendary and charismatic drivers lifted the sport of rallying from the back pages to front page headlines.
Forty years on, their combined achievements will be acknowledged when all three will be Guests of Honour at The Rally Show at Chatsworth.
Ireland's Paddy Hopkirk will demonstrate the Mini which he used to win the inaugural Pirelli Classic Marathon in 1989, while Finland's Rauno Aaltonen and Timo Makinen - two of the original "Flying Finns" - will each be reunited with one of the cars they drove competitively in this "Golden Era" of rallying.
The nostalgic element of the two-day event will also feature "The History of Rallying", a rarely-seen- together group of 25 genuine iconic rally cars from the 1950s to the present day, including a factory- prepared Talbot Sunbeam Lotus with its former driver, double British Champion, Russell Brookes.
More modern attractions include the two-wheeling stunts of TV star Russ Swift (www.russswift.co.uk) and the Oaktec Honda Insight "hybrid rally car" (www.oaktec.co.uk).
Starting early on Saturday 29 September, the two- day show will revolve around five competitive rallies. The provisional schedule is:
Saturday 29 September
Event 1 - Historic rally cars (in two categories and three capacity classes).
Event 2 - All rally cars (in two classes - up to 2,500cc and over 2,500cc).
Sunday 30 September
Event 3 - Historic cars (in one category and four classes).
Event 4 - Historic cars (in two categories and two classes).
Event 5 - World Rally Cars, Group N4 Production cars, Super 2000 and Super 1600 cars (all complying with current FIA Regulations).
Sporting Regulations for all five events will be posted on the official website at www.therallyshow.org during the first week in June.
Spectator Ticket options are also available on this website.
20/04/07
Billy Coleman confirmed
Billy Coleman, the only Irishman to win the British Rally Championship, is the latest driver to confirm that he will be at Chatsworth on 29/30 September.
Although contracted to Ford for much of his professional career, Coleman (from County Cork) was one of the few Irishmen to drive a Lancia Stratos in anger and may well be seen demonstrating an example of this rare Italian sports car.
Non-stop special stage action will be the essence of the show, using a different stage on each day, but provision has also been made for specialist car clubs and registers to display vehicles which are equally eye-catching, even when stationary.
A number of owner clubs have already reserved areas and will be displaying everything, from early 848cc Minis to the very latest high-performance Subarus. Bridging the age and performance divide will be examples of "Ultimate Fords", Mitsubishis, Toyota GT4s and cars from the Coventry-based Rootes Group.
The two-day competitive element of The Rally Show at Chatsworth is taking shape and - judging by quality of applications received - there is keen interest from all branches of rallying, particularly from owners of historic and "hybrid" rally cars, such as the Audi A3 quattro of David Kynaston, the MG Metro 6R4 of Stuart Larbey and the potentially awesome five-litre South African homologated Chevrolet Firenza of Mick Strafford.
The timed stages will be based on the fast-flowing Chatsworth Estate roads, incorporating a watersplash and jump which were last used on the RAC Rally in 1996.
To celebrate rallying's heritage, a growing line-up of famous cars is being assembled, many rarely seen in live demonstrations. Most notable is the 1953 RAC Rally winning Jaguar XK120. For MG fans, there is an ex-Tony Pond Metro 6R4. One of the more recent cars will be a Toyota Celica built for former World Champion, Carlos Sainz.
Two-day adult tickets are £21 each (including an official programme priced at £5) and offer a potential saving of £14 compared with individual tickets purchased on each day. Children up to age 9, accompanied by an adult, are admitted free.
Tickets and more details:
05/03/07
British & World Rally Championship title winners Russell Brookes and Martin Rowe confirmed as guests.
Demonstrations by 25 of the world's finest rally cars.
Russell Brookes (British Champion in 1977 and 1985) and Martin Rowe (2003 Production World Champion) are the first of several internationally- known rally stars to confirm their attendance at The Rally Show at Chatsworth over the weekend of 29/30 September.
Brookes is bringing the original "Andrews Heat for Hire" Talbot Lotus Sunbeam which he drove on the 1981 Lombard RAC Rally.
Martin Rowe will be on hand to give technical tips and guidance to those participating in the Stage Sessions with competition cars and modified road cars. Already, 20 percent of the available places are booked. No special competition licences are required for the Stage Sessions, but crash helmets and suitable clothing for both drivers and passengers are compulsory. A Stage Session booking form can be downloaded from www.therallyshow.org.
The two-day adult tickets, at £21 each (including an official programme worth £3) are proving most popular, as they offer a potential saving of £14 when compared with individual tickets purchased on each day. Children up to age 9, accompanied by an adult, are admitted free. Tickets can be booked online at www.therallyshow.org.
Further encouragement to buy tickets in advance comes with the announcement of a free prize draw to win a chauffeured ride in a rally car. There are 12 rides to be won and anyone purchasing at least one adult ticket before 31 July will be eligible for the draw.
Legendary rally cars from the 1950s to the 1990s will be demonstrated twice each day, over the full length of the special stage. Twenty-five cars, covering what many describe as the Golden Era of rallying, have been chosen to represent the evolution of the rally car, from the sporting Healey 3000 to the ground-breaking Audi quattro S1.
The organisers are currently seeking expressions of interest from rally crews with competition licences wishing to participate in the three special stage rallies, which will be moulded to accommodate a wide variety of cars, including Historic, Production and World Rally Cars.
Both the Saturday and Sunday special stages have been designed with drivers and spectators in mind. Double usage of the asphalt roads in the heart of Chatsworth will give unrivalled viewing for visitors and the opportunity for drivers to fully appreciate a world famous motor sports venue, last used by the Rally of Great Britain in 1996.
11/01/07
Special stage rallying will return to Chatsworth in Derbyshire on 29th and 30th September 2007 for a new event, The Rally Show at Chatsworth. The two-day event will include:
- Three competitive special stage rallies, for both historic and modern rally cars.
- A pageant of "Rallying History", featuring many of the world's greatest rally cars.
- Precision and stunt-driving displays, including TV star Russ Swift.
- "Stage Sessions" for owners of competition and modified road cars, giving them the opportunity of driving the special stages under non-competitive 'track day' conditions.
- Motor sport exhibitions and sales units.
- One-make, rally car and cruising car club vehicle displays.
- High-quality food and beverages.
The all-ticket event is the brain-child of Malcolm Neill, who for 14 years (1986 to 1999), was RAC Rally Manager. During his time, Chatsworth regularly attracted in excess of 20,000 spectators and a number of BBC TV live outside broadcasts.
A two-day adult ticket purchased in advance is £21, including an official programme (worth £3). Children up to age 9, accompanied by an adult, are admitted free. Tickets can be booked online at www.therallyshow.org.
"We are planning a wonderful weekend of motor sport at Chatsworth, with famous drivers in fabulous cars, demonstrating their skills on the renowned Chatsworth Stages. Special attention is being paid to providing superb viewing areas for spectators and - with the Rally Show, exhibitions, special demonstrations and lots more - it should be a great weekend for motor sport fans and families alike," said Malcolm.
Chatsworth was last used as a timed special stage on the 1996 Network Q Rally of Great Britain.
Further information can be found on
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