Rally of the Midlands

The Rally of the Midlands saw the REIS/Get Connected MSA Asphalt Rally Championship approach the halfway point of the season and with Melvyn Evans absent due to his shoulder and prior commitments, it was a chance for the other title contenders to stake their claim to this years championship. Reigning double champion Damian Cole & James Morgan (Focus WRC) took the initiative but were pegged back by Steve Simpson & Patrick Walsh (Impreza WRC) over the opening night, with the pair tied for the lead overnight. Gary Le Coadou & Paul Hollingham (Corolla WRC) were 23 seconds back in third.

Wheels

Another night down the local and 2012 saw the biggest turn out yet, (they may need a new bigger venue for 2013). With in excess of 200 cars on display it was a testament to the hard work of the Coventry & Warwick Motor Club that the event even ran following the recent inclement weather. Roll on 2013 and another pleasant summer’s evening down the Blue Lias…

BTCC Oulton Park

Our first visit to Oulton Park and a our first sampling of the BTCC since 2002, live that is. Jason Plato (MG6) qualified on pole for the first race but had issues pre-race which meant he did not start the 1st race. So it became a battle of the Honda Civic’s with Matt Neal winning race 1 from Andrew Jordan with Rob Collard (BMW 320i) back in third. In race 2 Gordon Shedden took the honours from Jordan once more with Plato making a superb return from the back of the grid, to take the final podium spot. The 3rd and final race of the day never really got going, marred by multiple safety car periods. In the end Neal won from Plato with Tom Onslow-Cole (BMW 320i) in 3rd.

Severn Valley Rally

With a clash of two events we usually attend we went for the trip to Wales for the Severn Valley Rally. We were in for a real treat as the rally saw only half a second separate the top two. Going into the final stage Julian Reynolds & Patrick Walsh (Escort MkI) led the event, a stunning drive in a post Historic car. Kevin Davies & Dale Furniss (Escort MkII) were a few seconds behind with Nick Elliott & Dave Price (Escort MkII) hot on their heels. But barely a mile from the end of the final stage Davies’s hopes went up in smoke as his engine blew. Elliott was ahead on the road so didn’t know what had happened behind him. He was spectacular and did enough to not only win the Classic category but take overall victory from Reynolds by the closest ever victory margin in BHRC history.

Jim Clark Rally

Once more to the Scottish Borders where it was Keith Cronin & Marshall Clarke (DS3) who took a fine victory, albeit after a late scare on the 2nd run through the Bothwell stage. Thanks to spectators they got going again to win by just over a minute from Tom Cave & Craig Parry (DS3). Jonathan Greer & Gordon Noble (DS3) completed the podium making it an all too familiar clean sweep for the French marque.