Historic Rally Championship and HRCR Classic News - Isle of Man
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Not too much wildlife to report this time, apart from some Oyster Catchers on the sea front at Ramsey. However, the female spectators got very noisy at Sartfield hairpin on Friday morning when a rat ran among them. He was quickly christened 'Basil' before making his mistake. Out in force at Brandywell Cottage on Saturday morning were the midges, and any exposed human flesh was instantly bitten!
Although not BHRC registered, former Le Mans racer John Sheldon was a star addition to the entry in his Lotus Elan. He admitted the stages on Thursday evening had been an eye opener, but was starting
to enjoy himself when a damaed wishbone on Friday put them out."It was a big disappointment to go out of the rally. I only put a wheel off (through a hedge!) but it damaged the wishbone. It only took five minutes to change so I could drive it back to the trailer. Great event, lovely people, must have another go!"
John Nichols went straight on holiday after the rally to recuperate from his very painful back injury after their moment on the run up from Little London on Friday morning. "It is quite possible he could be out on Flanders, but he has to be confident that it's all fixed or else he could do more damage," said Steven Smith of his co-driver.
"Although we haven't stripped it yet we think it was a problem with the clutch plate and input shaft of the box; sounded like the clutch plate disintegrated and damaged the shaft/gearbox casing," said Ken Forster of their retirement. It was their first non-finish since the 2005 Manx and at the time they went out, Ken and John Stanger-Leathes had a useful class lead over old rivals John Worthing/Bill Robertson.
The victory for David Stokes and Guy Weaver didn’t go smoothly at all times as they managed a wrong slot down a drive on the final stage of Thursday evening. David took responsibility for that small glitch in an otherwise mighty performance.
While John Nichols hurt his back, other crews were also in the wars. Neil Calvert managed to get stung inside his mouth by a wasp. He'd been munching on a donut at the time! Then, Terry Brown managed to pour boiling water over his feet on Friday morning!
Martin Kenny won C3 despite losing the driver's side windscreen wiper in the worst of the rain on Friday afternoon. He then offered the detached wiper to marshals and members of the press to give the screen a wipe whenever her stopped.
Quotes of the rally
"I might have a small Bushmills." Dessie Nutt planned to forsake the red wine after the late finish on Thursday night.
"No lock and no hand brake and chicanes too tight to get around without three-point turns!" Patrick Watts battles on with the Tiger.
"I e-mailed him and asked if I could borrow it." Alison Lock borrowed Adrian Kermode's Mini in her bid to contest three rallies
in eight days.
"A few more pot holes and chicanes." Jimmy McRae says the Manx hasn’t changed much since he last tackled the rally in 1997.
"I should have left the car in forest spec," groaned Terry Brown after completing the recce for his Isle of Man debut.
"Very fast – unbelievable!" Arwel Evans had his first taste of the IoM stages on the recce.
"Pushing too hard." Graham Samuel accepts responsibility for their off on the opening leg.
"We scrapped all our old notes and started again and it's working well." Dessie Nutt and Geraldine McBride worked hard on the recce.
"We were pretty crap to start with." Mark Clifford's rally improved considerably as they battled for second overall in classics.
"I drove like an old granny on the first stage." Robin Shuttleworth gets off to a modest start.
"Poor old sod; no way he could continue." Steven Smith parks up at Sartfield and allows the medics to deal with John Nichols and his back injury.
"We've had a good day; I might even be listening to the notes!" Craig Salter has a good run on Friday.
"We've not scared ourselves yet, except down the hill from the mines." Michael Pedley in the TR7 V8.
"It's a bit hot; I've lost about a stone already!" Ian Drummond returns after nine months out of rallying.
Points
Provisional BHRC overall driver points after six rounds:
1 Neil Calvert 157
2 Steven Smith 153
3 Patrick Watts 146
4 Philip Atkinson 144
5 Dessie Nutt 125
6 Mark Solloway 114
7 David Stokes 112
8 Paul Mankin 104
9 John Worthing 96
10 Ken Forster 95
Provisional HRCR Classic overall driver points after six rounds:
1 Gareth Lloyd 186
2 Arwel Evans 145
3 Chris Shooter 104
4 Richard Lane 97
5 Mark Clifford 93
6 Dick Slaughter 67
7 Ian Rix 57
= Martin Freestone 57
9 Charlie Taylor 56
10 Terry Brown 51
Championship DVD
Hummingbird Productions is again filming all rounds of the 2006 championship to compile unrivalled reports of the events. The best way to order is to visit http://www.justrallying.co.uk and order on-line.
More details are available from Hummingbird on 01522 853587 or e-mail to: mailto:hummingbirdproduction@yahoo.co.uk
More at: http://www.hrcr.co.uk
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