---- CONTENTS ----
Rally News - March 9, 2009
Weston on Wilson, MSA decides and BIG Cheque for McRae
Dave Weston and Neil Shanks scored a superb 9th overall on last weekend's Malcolm Wilson Rally in Cumbria (March 7) and they were 3rd in Group N with the Impreza. There was a strong Scottish showing on the event with Allan McDowall and Gavin Heseltine 35th o/a and 5th in class with the old style Opel Kadett. As for Des Campbell, he must be like a dug with two tails these days. Not only is he getting to rally finishes, he's getting results! He and James Braithwaite were 39th o/a and 2nd in class while right on their tail were Niall Cowan and Pamela Hilton in the MG ZR, 40th o/a and 4th in class. John Boyd was best of the tartan Fiesta contingent after his troubles on the car's debut on the Galloway Hills. He and old-timer Fred Bell were 44th o/a and 9th in class. But poor Stevie Brown and Martin Forrest were in trouble even before the rally. Brake failure during the pre-event test on the Thursday resulted in some front end damage meaning a hectic time to get ready for Scrutineering on Friday. Then a front driveshaft broke on the first stage of the Wilson and he had two more to do before service. And there was more. Two punctures added to their times and they finished 57th o/a and 12th in class. Callum Bendall was out in the wee Ka with James Haugh, but a troubled day had them down in 72nd place at the end. At least they finished, Neil Coalter and Hannah Cessford, who debuted their new Fiesta on the Snowman, retired when the alternator belt broke.
The MSA British Rally Elite scheme has confirmed its 2009 intake of talented youngsters. A shortlist of 24 attended the final assessment to be interviewed by a panel consisting of Mike Broad (ex-co-driver and event organiser), Robert Reid (World Champion Co-driver), Guy Wilks (WRC hopeful!), James Attwood (from Motorsport News) and David Higgins (Mark's brother) decided on six competitors for the MSA British Rally Elite. They included, drivers Alastair Fisher, Adam Gould, Kris Hall and Jason Pritchard, along with co-drivers Gareth Roberts and Seb Marshall; Fisher, Gould and Pritchard are all returning to the Elite scheme for a second year, while Hall Marshall and Roberts have been promoted from the Academy level. A further five competitors were picked for the MSA British Rally Academy - including drivers Dave Weston Jnr, Euan Thorburn, Martin McCormack (who won the C2R2 Irish Cup), John MacCrone and co-driver Drew Sturrock. So how come Stevie Brown didn't get in? There's no justice, eh?
Coltness Car Club had their annual thrash (sorry, dinner dance) at the Valley International Park in Crossford on Saturday night. Highlight of the night was a cheque presentation from the club to Jim McRae for the Colin McRae Vision charity. The money was raised through the extra-curricular activities organised by the club at the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally including programme sales, the all-star, superstar. legends-r-us Forum (apart from the rather common compere!) and other pocket-emptying antics. How much? Only 12 and a half grand! Well done the Bears. (Picture shows: Big Jim 'Papa' Bear with Jim McRae and the cheque)
Also supporting the Colin McRae Vision charity is Duke Video from the Isle of Man who filmed and produced a record of last year's unique event. If you haven't yet got a copy of the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally 2008 DVD, then buy it now. You're not only helping the charity, but it's worth the money alone for the in-car footage with Kris Meeke in the Mk11.
Speaking of Kris Meeke, he and Paul Nagle scored a superb victory on the second round of the IRC Challenge in Brazil at the weekend. It gave the two of them and the whole Peugeot team a huge boost after their Monte disappointment. Kris and Paul scored 9 fastest times on the 13 stages with team mate Nicolas Vouilloz second ahead of Giandomenico Basso in the Fiat and Freddy Loix in another Peugeot. And if you're wondering why I'm reporting on an Irishman, well, it's my site and ah'll dae whit ah waant! Besides he's an adopted Scot and it's him we'll be cheering on come the final round of the IRC in Scotland in November.
* * * * *