
The results kept on coming with Ellya Gold and Jean Hay in 11th place and James Gibb and Charley Sayer-Payne finishing 15th despite having to change a front hub last night. Carl and Rob Tuer were 23rd in the Suzuki after their troubles yesterday, Ernie Lee and Ian Shiells were 28th in the BMW and but for a puncture and an ‘off’ avoiding a stricken car Gordon Alexander and Ian Clark would have done better than 32nd in their Vauxhall Nova.
Sadly, Alan Dickson and Martin Forrest didn’t make it. They were heading for a top six finish when they cowped the Lancer in Gartheiniog and Niall Cowan Jnr and Thomas Bruce were forced out at Sweet Lamb with two broken driveshafts in the MG. There was another Scot in the entry list. Terry Mallin was co-driving Tom Urquhart in a Suzuki Ignis on his first ever rally, and they finished. Job done.
Young Finlay Retson disappeared from the International results sheets this morning when the rear hub broke away from the axle and only the rear guard stopped the wheel from falling out and bounding off in to the distance. However, the boys have been hard at work this evening and will be ready for Rally 2 tomorrow.
So that’s it for the National. According to one finisher, today was fast and furious compared to yesterday’s rough and tough but on balance most folk seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. And even the weather was kind. No doubt I’ll write more later!