Jim Clark Reivers Rally

After holding on to victory the day before David Bogie & Kevin Rae swapped to the trusty old Metro 6R4 for the Jim Clark Reivers and went on to dominate the event, setiing fastest time on all 7 stages that ran. Their victory margin was 71 seconds after what will probably prove to be one the most memorable rallying weekends for the crew. Euan Thorburn & Paul Beaton (Evo IX) were best of the rest edging out Jock Armstrong & Barry McNulty (Impreza) by just over 10 seconds. Steve Bannister & Louise Sutherland (Escort MkII) took a close fought win in the 2Wd battle with just under 10 seconds covering the top 3.

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Jim Clark Rally

It was a windy affair up in the Scottish Borders this year, where David Bogie & Kevin Rae (Evo IX) took win no.3 of the season in the BRC. Overnight Adam Gould & Seb Marshall (Impreza) had kept Bogie honest, only 0.6s back, but through the first loop of stages on Saturday they haemorrhaged time due to various maladies and in the end were third over a minute back. The challenge then came from Jonny Greer & Dai Roberts (Fabia S2000) as they got to grips with their car on tarmac. Bogie’s differentials were starting to play up through the final few stages but he held on to win by 17.6s.

Clwydian Cars Stage Rally

The smallest entry we have witnessed on the ranges but it did not dilute from the battle. Ken Pugh & Ian Jones (Evo III) won out in the end by only 3 seconds from the hard charging Escort MkII of Will Rowlands & Nath Williams. The gap at second service had been up to 8 seconds but Rowlands was on a mission all day. Third another 8 seconds back were Myf Owen & Dafydd Gwynedd in their Evo VII. Expected front runner and no.1 seeds Gwyn Thomas & Peter Williams endured a torrid day crashing on stage 3 and losing a lot of front end bodywork from their Puma before crashing again on stage 6 and retiring from the event.

The Rally Show

A new venue and our first trip to the Rally Show since 2008, (due to clashes with other events). Cornbury Park provided a superb venue and an interesting stage at just over a mile. The only thing really missing would be a watersplash but otherwise it was an excellent choice of venue. Dani Sordo in the Mini WRC was spectacular and Ott Tänak peddled the equally impressive Fiesta WRC too. With several competitive events during the weekend and demo runs, there was plenty to entertain, but probably the highlight was the top 10 shoot out. Simon Mauger took the honours after 4 elimination rounds and a final head to head. What a great format and surely a potential format to bring new fans into the sport!

Plains Rally

Another thrilling climax to a BTRDA rally with the overall victory coming down to a stall at the start of the final stage. Andrew Burton & Robin Kellard (Peugeot Cosworth) had been leading all event until the final stage where they clipped a bank and fell back to 2nd place, just 4 seconds behind Hugh Hunter & Andy Marchbank (Focus WRC). With one stage of less than two miles to go it was Hunter who stalled at startline and Burton knew victory could be his with a clean run. He duly took 9 seconds out of Hunter to win by 5 seconds. Charlie Payne & Paul Spooner (Focus WRC) completed the podium places with a good solid run, just over 30 seconds back.

Geoff Gosling Memorial Grasstrack

Bank Holiday Monday and something new for us at 90right. The closest motorsport event to home yet as we went to Victory field, Ashorne to take in the Geoff Gosling Memorial Grasstrack meeting. The action was frenetic with the ‘Big Chairs’, (1000cc sidecars), being especially spectacular. Dust played havoc with the meeting though and ultimately it was cut short due to rider and spectator safety in the increasing dust clouds, which is fair enough when you have up to 9 riders on track at any one time. Bring on next year!