Wilks the Guy to beat flying Finn Hanninen
Last updated 11:43, Monday, 21 April 2008
JAFFA cakes, jerry cans, juiced up cars and the John Bull spirit were the key impressions of Cumbria’s premier rally, the four-in-one Pirelli based in Carlisle which used the awesome Killer Keilder Forest complex of stages.
The major Pirelli International was led off by last year’s winner, Guy Wilks from Darlington driving a Mitsubishi EVO 9 who over the two intense days never lost a place and beat second place man, Finn Juho Hanninen, by nearly a minute.
Ex-British Rally Champion, Mark Higgins at the wheel of MG S2000 Sport held onto third place until disaster struck four stages from the finish when he blew the engine which gave the place to his brother David driving a Subaru Impreza.
The intensity of the competition and the reputation of the fearsome stages meant retirements were huge with over a third of the cars falling by the way and as there were no truly local drivers in the International, Cumbrian honours were upheld in Pirelli Historics by Carlisle’s Neil Rudd with Penrith’s Brian ‘Dac’ Hodgson in an Escort Mk1 who finished 37th.
Also, Clive Alcock from Armathwaite in a Saab V4 96 navigated by the youngest competitor on the rally, 17 year-old Stuart Cant claimed 46th place despite having a lurid slide into a Keilder ditch.
However, there was high drama when the overnight leader of the Historics, Jimmy McRae, father of the late Colin McRae, with his local navigator Andy Richardson from Kirkby Stephen rolled out of the rally.
The high-speed accident in the immaculate Stobart sponsored Porsche 911 RS was 200 yards before the finish of Stage 6 which left the Porsche not so immaculate and the pair in hospital.
1991 Pirelli International Rally winner and former three-times British Rally Champion, Jimmy as well as Andy had to be taken to Carlisle Infirmary by the air ambulance where Jimmy was found to have broken his wrist and sternum and Andy was kept in for observation for a back injury.
Jimmy’s untimely exit from the rally meant that Yorkshireman, Darren Moon in a Ford Escort claimed the Historic winning position.
Meanwhile, the Pirelli National Rally, which started Saturday lunchtime was won by York driver Gary Cooper in a Subaru Impreza but a great drive by Workington’s William Jarman put his classic Escort Cosworth in sixth place and the Crackenthorpe rising star, Kris Hall with Sebastian Marshall again won his class by claiming 11th place in his Ford Fiesta ST.
The pairing of Penrith’s John Lloyd and Steve Egglestone was next in their Ford Fiesta ST at 12th.
Veteran Ivor Clark from Carlisle, in his Hillman Avenger, had a cruel end to his National rally one stage from home when the back axle gave up the ghost when lying 20th but BBC Radio’s Jemma Bellingham navigated Max Utting to a very creditable 15th place.
Oh, and the Jaffa cakes were, as always, provided for the media by the longest serving organising committee member, Press Officer, Ed Graham!
