Malcolm Wilson Rally - (Sat) 2 Mar 13

In Car

Posted: February 1, 2014 11:18 PM

Euan Thorburn & Paul Beaton (Ford Focus WRC)

FORD FIESTA R5 IMPRESSES ON FIRST PUBLIC OUTING

Posted: February 1, 2014 9:35 PM

The Ford Fiesta R5 had its first public outing last weekend as Matthew Wilson and Chris Patterson took to the wheel of M-Sport’s latest challenger. Continuing the Fiesta R5’s thorough testing and development programme, the pairing ran as Course Car for the 2013 edition of the Malcolm Wilson Rally in Cumbria.

Sporting the model's striking QR-code livery which will adorn the car throughout its development phase, the all-new Fiesta completed all seven stages – setting some promising times in the process.

M-Sport will continue to develop the Fiesta R5 before its launch later this year. With some substantial gravel testing already under its belt, the next phase will see the car put through its paces on asphalt both in the UK and abroad.

Also competing last weekend, M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, had the privilege of debuting the Ford Fiesta S2400. Designed for non-homologated series, the engine is ideal for the Ford Fiesta S2000 – Wilson Snr competing in the chassis that won the Monte-Carlo Rally on its debut in 2010 – but can also be adapted for other models such as MkI and MkII Escorts.

Unfortunately however, Wilson was forced to make an untimely retirement on SS3 and M-Sport’s R&D team will continue development and testing before an official release to customers later this year.

Elsewhere in the Cumbrian event, South African Mark Cronje piloted M-Sport's Ford Fiesta RS WRC to a creditable fifth place overall.

Matthew Wilson said:
“The car felt really good. Development is coming along nicely and the [Ford Fiesta] R5 looks set to be another extremely competitive model.

“Over the last few months we have done a lot of initial testing on gravel, now we just need to ensure that the car works just as well on asphalt. I’m heading down to Wales for a preliminary Tarmac test this week, and then the plan is to head to mainland Europe where we can perfect the car before an official launch later this year.”

Malcolm Wilson said:
“M-Sport is an exciting place to be at the moment with lots of new projects on the way. Early development for both the [Ford] Fiesta R5 and S2400 has been promising and it looks as though both models will be well worth the wait when they are officially released later this year.

“Now it’s all about continuing with the development on both cars to ensure that we provide a package that matches up to our high standards and is capable of securing overall victories around the world.”

Perez Just Misses MWR Podium On Focus Comeback

Posted: February 1, 2014 9:33 PM

Kick Energy rally driver Steve Perez returned to the forests behind the wheel of his Ford Focus WRC for the first time in a year and came away from this weekend's Malcolm Wilson Rally with a battling fourth place finish.

Along with Welsh co driver Paul Spooner, the 2010 BTRDA champions were late entries after only deciding to contest the Cumbrian event when the Amigos Tequila flavoured beer-backed Lancia Stratos they were scheduled to contest the Mid Wales Stages Rally in was not ready in time following accident damage on the recent Legend Rally Boucles de Spa.

Despite one of the strongest entries seen on a UK event for many years, the three times British and National Champion was soon on the pace and after the opening three stages, Perez, from Chesterfield, held a solid top six placing.

Grizedale awaited and despite his lack of cockpit time in the ex Marcus Gronholm car, Steve set fourth fastest times through the 19 miles of stages to move up to fourth overall. With two stages remaining and all to play for as he eyed the podium, Perez scorched through the penultimate test in Greystoke third fastest which he repeated on the final stage in Wythop but fell six agonizing seconds short of what would have been a sensational podium finish for the double event winner from 2009 and 2010.

Steve said afterwards:
"To finish just six seconds off a podium after not driving the car on gravel since this event last year isn't too shabby so I'm happy with my performance. We only decided to enter at the last minute when it became clear the Stratos wouldn't be ready and I figured the time in the Focus would set me up well for Rally Barbados later in the year. This has to be the strongest entry on a UK rally in ten years so the competition was there for sure and it was good that we were competitive all day, especially towards the end. I'm registered for the BTRDA series so I may decide to do some more rounds, especially if the entries on forthcoming rounds are as strong as this."

Steve next plans to be in action in the Lancia on the Rallye Mallorca later this month.

Bird Denied Record Win On Malcolm Wilson Rally

Posted: February 1, 2014 9:32 PM

Cumbrian rally driver Paul Bird must wait another year before adding a record-equalling fourth Malcolm Wilson Rally victory to his tally after finishing runner-up for the second consecutive year after another epic battle in the Lake District forests this weekend.

Driving the Fuchs Titan, Rapid Solicitors, MinxFlix.com and Kick Energy-backed Frank Bird Poultry Ford Focus WRC07, Bird and co driver Carl Williamson were forced to settle for second place just 20 seconds down on Scottish pairing Euan Thorburn and Paul Beaton (Ford Focus WRC) at the Cockermouth finish after the 45 stage miles of competition on round two of the REIS Get Connected BTRDA Rally Series.

Back in his local forests after his retirement on last year's Grizedale Stages, the British Superbike and MotoGP team boss from Langwathby, who won the event in 2004, 2006 and 2007, set about his chase for victory with fastest times on the opening two stages in Hobcarton and Comb which he consolidated in Greystoke to lead by five seconds over Thorburn going into the two tricky Grizedale stages.

But the forest near Coniston wasn't kind to the three times winner once again and despite a good clean through the first 7.33 miler, Bird surrendered the lead to Thorburn by eight seconds and the Scot increased that advantage to 26 seconds after the 10.8 miles of Grizedale South.

Bird clawed back eight seconds with an amazing fastest time in Greystoke to set up a thrilling climax but only the short Wythop test remained where Thorburn eased to victory to deny the former National Champion a fourth win to equal Bill Dobie's record going back thirty years.

Bird said:
"After losing out by just three seconds last year, I was really up for winning this year although I knew it wouldn't be easy with such a strong entry. We had a good run through the first three stages and I was feeling confident going into Grizedale but Euan just humped me in there. I thought I was driving really well but he took a chunk of time out of me so fair play to him. I'm a bit deflated to be honest as well as a little disappointed but I can have no excuses. The car was faultless, Carl and the team did a great job, but I'll be back again next year to try and get that elusive fourth win."

Results

Posted: February 1, 2014 9:29 PM

Malcolm Wilson Rally - (Sat) 2 Mar 13 - RESULTS

Results on Line (Malcolm Wilson 2013) | Results by: Tynemouth Computer Services Rally Results

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!...REIS – Get Connected BTRDA Rally Series Preview

Posted: February 25, 2013 11:14 AM

Following a storming run to victory on the opening round of the REIS – Get Connected BTRDA Rally Series, Connor McCloskey and Francis Regan arrive in Cumbria for the Malcolm Wilson Rally (2 nd March) as leaders of the Gold Star Championship. Unfamiliarity proved no barrier to the Ulstermen in the Forest of Dean and the question now is ‘can they do it again in the Lake District?’ Well, as is the case on any round of the series (nine this year, with the best six scores from eight starts to count) they will have their work cut out!

Behind Connor & Francis in the points table prior to the start of the Malcolm Wilson Rally are David Wright/Michael Wilkinson in their Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9. Absent for much of last season, Wright has upgraded his car and plans an all-out attack on the title he last won in 2009. If any proof was needed on his return, second overall on the Wyedean immediately places the Lancaster driver as a serious contender - he is also familiar with the stages in the north-west, having finished 3 rd overall on the event in 2009 and 5 th the following year.

2012 Gold Star runner-up Matt Edwards, accompanied this year by Will Rogers and also in a Lancer EVO9, opened his account with 3 rd on the Wyedean and would dearly love to go one better this year. Whatever the eventual outcome, it won’t be for want of trying! Last year’s Malcolm Wilson Rally winners, Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank, were one of four different leaders on the Wyedean, but a troublesome gearbox slowed their Focus WRC towards the end, leaving them three points behind the leaders as they head north. There is plenty of time to make good the deficiency and, for all the light-hearted banter before an event, these two should never be underestimated!

Although their first foray into the Forest of Dean was curtailed by retirement prior to the final stage, Scotsmen Euan Thorburn/Paul Beaton actually led the event after SS1 and again after SS5 in their Ford Focus WRC. Pointless thus far, they return for another go at opening their BTRDA account and, if successful in the Lakes, expect a good result!

Luke Francis/John H Roberts won a close-fought Group N battle on the Wyedean and that rivalry with Jamie Anderson/Ella Flynn is set to be renewed as the two Lancer EVO9s go head-to-head once again. Meanwhile, Charlie Payne/Craig Thorley have some unfinished business to attend to on the Malcolm Wilson. Having won the Wyedean last year, they arrived in Cockermouth as leaders of the BTRDA Series and with just one intention – to consolidate their advantage. Unfortunately, nothing is ever that simple and a Lakeland ditch devoured their Focus WRC and put an end to any hopes of doing so. This year’s Wyedean was spoilt by a down on power engine but the following week they bounced back winning the Riponian. REIS – Get Connected Silver Star Championship leaders Will Onions/Dave Williams (Ford Escort MkII) have a busy weekend in prospect – immediately on completion (hopefully!) of the Malcolm Wilson Rally, the team will load up and head south for the Newtown-based Mid Wales Stages which takes place the following day. It goes without saying that they hope their efforts will be rewarded in terms of points scored! They will be joined by Dave Brick/Rob Woodhouse and last year’s Silver Star Champions Matthew Robinson/Nigel Hutchinson plus Theo Bengry/Les Forsbrook (Ford Escort Mkll) and Pete Smith / Patrick Walsh (Ford Escort Mk1) who will also be battling for Historic Cup honours.

2012 Millers Oils BTRDA 1400 Champions Julian Wilkes/Will Rutherford-Child (Vauxhall Nova VXR 190) have continued where they left off at the end of last season with an emphatic category victory in the Forest of Dean. Their nearest challengers were Mat Smith/Giles Dykes in their very rapid Ford Ka, whilst third place went to the Corsa of fellow Yorkshiremen Dave Bennett/Alistair McNeil. These three crews, along with fourth-placed Roger Priestnall/Jamie Forrest (Proton Satria), will all be lining up at M-Sport’s premises in Dovenby on the Saturday morning as the battle now moves to the Lake District. The 1400 entry list also includes Ash Slights / Matthew Whattam in a Toyota Yaris so hopefully this will be the much awaited debut of the new car. James West and Steve Egginton (VW Lupo) have the initial lead in the BTRDA Rally First Championship but is likely to be challenged by Joe Evett/Calvin Houldsworth (MG ZR) who are hoping to get further than they did on the Wyedean when electrical problems saw them retire on the very first stage. There is also a welcome return for Mick Smith / Paul Osmond at the head of the RF1.0 runners. Being class-based, the MSA English Rally Championship also has joint leaders at this stage of the proceedings. Five classes, five drivers – David Poyser (Honda Civic), Sean Edwards (Ford Escort), Julian Wilkes (Vauxhall Nova), Theo Bengry (Ford Escort) and James West (VW Lupo) – are currently co-existing at the head of the table. Cumbria represents the first opportunity to try and establish sole occupancy of the top spot but, if that doesn’t work, there will be still be five other events in the MSA English Championship before the end of the season.

The first car leaves the start of the Malcolm Wilson Rally at sponsor M-Sport’s Dovenby premises at 8.10am on Saturday 2 nd March and the survivors will begin arriving at the finish from 4.10pm that afternoon.

Draft Seeded Entry List (25/2/13)

Posted: February 25, 2013 11:08 AM

Malcolm Wilson Rally - (Sat) 2 Mar 13 - SEEDED ENTRY LIST (25/2/13)

Regulations / Details

Posted: February 8, 2013 1:46 PM

Malcolm Wilson Rally