Bird conquers Otterburn to win Cheviot Rally

Cumbrian driver Frank Bird was back in rally action this weekend where he once again took on some of the best drivers in the country as he swept to victory on the Ford Parts Cheviot Stages Rally.

Utilising the sealed roads of the Otterburn military range in Northumberland and comprising the final round of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, the 22-year-old from Penrith led from start to finish to emerge over half a minute clear of his nearest rival after 60 miles of stages.

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Cheviot Stages Rally

With the title going down the wire it was Jason Pritchard & Phil Clarke (Focus WRC) who came up victorious, taking a 3rd consecutive Protyre Asphalt Rally title. They had a big scare with an off on the 3rd stage of the first loop of stages, but once their main opposition, Mark Kelly & Neil Colman (Fiesta R5) retired after stage 6, then they just had to bring it home. Frank Bird & Jack Morton (Fiesta Rally2) took a dominant win by 31s from Gordon Morrison & Hannah Davison (Fiesta R5). Pritchard came home 3rd to take the title just ahead of Neil Roskell & John Cope (Fiesta R5) in 4th, with John Stone & Tom Woodburn (Polo R5) rounding out the top 5.

Three Shires 2022

Cheltenham Motor Club can confirm that next year’s rally is planned for September 18th, 2022.

There will be a few changes to ensure the continued successful running of this popular event with competitors, spectators and marshals. The event is moving back a few weeks to September 18th which avoids clashes with the Woodpecker and Rali Bae Ceredigion Closed Road Rally, so attracting more competitors, officials and marshals. Currently there are no other major rallies scheduled this weekend.

Friend takes long-awaited British Historic Rally Championship title

Ben Friend and co-driver Cliffy Simmons became 2021 Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Champions at the weekend with a stellar performance at the final round of the season, the Carlisle Stages Rally [23 October].

The duo performed faultlessly in their Ford Escort MK2 to tame the notorious stages in and around the Kielder Forest complex, to grab the lead from 2019 BHRC champions Simon Webster and Jez Rogers on the third test. They would never be headed over the remaining three stages to secure a maiden championship title in fine style.