Hugh Hunter and Andy Marchbank won their first event since the Somerset Stages last year when they won today’s Malcolm Wilson Rally in the Lake District.
“It was real close today,” said Hugh, “I had a 45 second lead on the Wyedean then got three punctures! I’ve been missing a wee bit of luck over the past 18 months, so I’m just thrilled to bits today.”
The suspense was telling: “That’s not good for your heart,” said Andy, “we just couldn’t relax over the final two stages with Paul (Bird) on our tail.”
“That was the best I’ve ever driven on this event,” said a disappointed Paul Bird with Kirsty Riddick in the Focus, “and it just wasn’t good enough.”
In third place was Euan Thorburn with Paul Beaton and his lack of pace this morning was simply explained: “I forgot to switch the anti-lag on,” he said sheepishly, “there’s 30 buttons in there,” he said pointing to the Focus, “but you learn by your mistakes – I won’t do it again!”
Steven Clark had a solid run into 8th but also had a ‘solid run’ into the bank on the final test. There was little damage and he finished, but the front air dam is tattered and the power steering pump is burst.
Steve Bannister was top 2WD in 13th place from Allan McDowall in the Kadett in 15th.
Graeme Schoneville finished but clouted a tree in the first stage this morning and bent the EVO’s rear suspension and Peter Taylor was clouting trees too in the first stage damaging the co-driver’s side of the Focus but lost 10 minutes waiting for enough spectators to help them out.
Mike Faulkner and Peter Foy were able to confirm they were OK after their bump this morning, but the car will need some TLC before the Border
1 Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank, Focus WRC, 48:49
2 Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick, Focus WRC, 48:52
3 Euan Thorburn/Paul Beaton, Focus WRC 50:00
4 Michael O'Brien/Patrick Walsh, Focus WRC 50:12
5 Shaun Gardener/Ben Innes, Evo 5.9B,50:21
6 Jamie Anderson/Ella Flynn, Evo 9, 50:29
7 Matt EdwardsSam Collis, Evo, 50:38
8 Steven Clark/Colin Smith, Evo 4, 51:02
9 Dan O'BrienPaul Morris, Focus, 51:38
10 Dylan Davies/Eryl Evans, Impreza, 51:54
No comments:
Post a Comment