Cheviot Stages Rally

The elements threw all they had at the 88 crews who started the Cheviot Stages Rally, resulting in carnage throughout the day. With the MSA Asphalt Championship up for grabs stage 4 saw Daniel Harper & Chris Campbell (Mini WRC) leave the equation as they crashed out after aquaplaning off. Jason Pritchard & Phil Clarke (Focus WRC) still had to get a reasonable points score to overhaul Wayne Sisson for the title and with the tricky conditions that was not going to be easy. Peter Taylor & Andrew Roughead (Fiesta WRC) took the first stage and after being beaten on stage 2 by Harper they had a 9s lead after the first loop of stages.

Birkett 6hrs Relay

After missing the 2017 edition we were back for the 68th running of the Birkett 6hrs relay race. The day started out grey and once the rain started during the the 3rd hour of the race it only got worse. It did nothing to dampen the racing though and in the scratch race a late safety car period saw the gap between the top two teams dramatically reduced. Long time leaders Cupra Racing held on to win by half a second from the hard charging Breakell Racing Heroes, after the 6 hours of racing. In the handicap race it was the Red Rascal team who took victory by just over half a minute from the Mostly Rusty Two Seaters.

Mercian Sporting Trial

A glorious day at Long Compton greeted the 35 crews who started the event, with 33 completing the days 3 passes across the 8 hills. Hill 6 provided an almost impossible section beyond post 6 on the first run, adding 5 points to everyone’s total in the first pass. With a revision to hill 6 for the next run low scores were achievable and in the end it was John Fack who took victory with a total of 20 points. Ian Veale took 2nd overall with 26 points in what proved to be a tight battle for 2nd overall with Ian Wright 3rd on 27 points and Josh Veale 4th with 28 points.

Wales Rally GB

With the 2018 WRC seeing a titanic battle between three drivers from three different manufacturers, it was all to play for on the gravel tracks of North Wales. Ott Tanak & Martin Jarveoja (Yaris WRC) looked to continue his good run of form and looked like he was going to make it 4 in a row before he pulled up on the 2nd run through Sweet Lamb. This left Sebastien Ogier & Julien Ingrassia (Fiesta WRC) in the lead going in to the final day. Jari-Matti Latvala & Miikka Antilla (Yaris WRC) was not far behind and took the lead on the 2nd stage of the Sunday. Ogier then fought back and took victory by just over 10 seconds, revitalising his championship hopes. Latvala was 2nd with team mate Esapekka Lappi (Yaris WRC) 25 seconds back and comfortable in 3rd place.