Top Ten Nationals at the Start of Leg 2:
1, S Simpson, 22m 08.5
2, D Cole, 22m 21.7
3, P Taylor, 22m 50.1
4, N Simpson, 22m 51.9
5, J Stone, 22m 57.8
6, S Mauger, 23m 01.2
7, S Bowen, 23m 03.3
8, A Inglis, 23m 04.5
9, B Groundwater, 23m 04.6
10, D Atkinson, 23m 09.0
Apologies to Simon Mauger, I had Barry groundwater 6th at the finish
last night but after a quick recount (and a couple of slight stage
delays) more time cards appeared. Barry's still in the top ten but
Alistair Inglis is going well.
Steve Bannister is still going
after some bodywork and front suspension work overnight. He went off in
Abbey last night after nudging a bale with the front n/s corner. What he
didn't realise was that the impact had bent a steering arm and the
bottom compression strut. And he only found out at the next tight right
when it gave way as he turned and ploughed straight on.
Spectators helped to dismantle the front corner, he levered the strut
straight-ish, re-fitted it and drove out the stage. Obviously with huge
time loss though.
He's driving Matthew Robinson's car but when
asked how he felt, Matthew said: "I couldn't give a monkey's, I feel
for Steve and Louise. This is the car's first time on tar, and if Steve
can do that to it - imagine what I would have done!" Nice one Matthew.
