Malcolm Wilson Rally

A total of 124 crews started the opening round of the 2022 BTRDA Rally Champiosnhip. Stephen Petch & Michael Wilkinson (Fiesta Rally2) set a total of 4 fastest stage times but it was a close run event as Ian Bainbridge & Will Atkins (Fabia R5) went fastest on the final two stages, closing in to just 16s. It was a tight rally overall as Jock Armstrong & Tom Woodburn (Fabia Proto) grabbed 3rd place on the final stage from Perry Gardener & Jack Bowen (Fiesta R5) by just 1s, with just 24s covering the top 4. Richard Hill & Pat Cooper (Evo IX) completed the top 5.

Malcolm Wilson cancelled

It is with great disappointment that we have to advise you that the event will not run in March. We have tried to organise a Plan B but unfortunately it has not rendered sufficient mileage,

With the impending further restrictions due to Covid it is not the right climate to be promoting events which bring people into Cumbria – even if it is allowed!

Onwards and upwards

Following the enforced curtailment of the MRF Tyres BTRDA Rally Series and Motorsport UK 2020 English Rally Championship in association with Seacon, we now look forward to the 2021 season with renewed vigour and are pleased to announce a well-spaced calendar of events that runs from mid-February until the end of September. The BTRDA Rally Series maintains its position as the UK’s most popular Rally Championship, catering for any vehicle complying with current Motorsport UK Technical Regulations.

Malcolm Wilson Rally

The Lake District saw what might be the last forest rally for some time in the UK and it was Adrien Fourmaux & Renaud Jamoul (Fiesta R5 MkII) who utterly dominated to take victory by over a minute and a half, along with fastest time on all 7 stages. Freddie Milne & Paul Beaton (Fiesta R5) were an early 2nd overall but they went off on stage 2 leaving the way open for Dylan Davies & Llion Williams (Fabia R5), who were 3rd after the opening stage. They dropped half a minute on stage 2 so it was Stephen Petch & Michael Wilkinson (Fiesta WRC) who took over 2nd place. Petch didn’t put a wheel wrong and kept 2nd place and it was Russ Thompson & Andy Murphy (Evo IX) who took 3rd place mid event and completed the podium.

Bilham stuns in the snow with impressive Malcolm Wilson Rally result

Sam Bilham proved his worth in the Greenlight Sports and Entertainment – Ford Fiesta R5 last weekend, by recovering from 66th place to finish the Malcolm Wilson Rally with a career-best sixth overall at the second round of the BTRDA Rally Series (9th March).

Bilham, 22 from Bingley West Yorkshire, overcame treacherous and wintry conditions in the Cumbrian forests and a first stage impact with a rock, to fight back up the leader board and take a top-ten position.

Malcolm Wilson Rally

Wild weather struck the Lake District for the Malcolm Wilson Rally and the first 3 stages were blighted by snow, decimating the field in just 15 stage miles. Connor McCloskey & Noel O’Sullivan (Fiesta WRC) were fastest through Hobcarton from Ian Joel & Graeme Wood (Escort Cosworth) by 3 seconds. McCloskey dropped over 20s through Comb as Joel took the lead from Petr Krizan & Lukas Sintal (Evo IX) who were fastest through Comb. The top two stayed as they were after Greystoke, with Joel extending his lead, with McCloskey retiring after SS3.

Bilham aims to bounce back in Cumbria

Greenlight Sports and Entertainment – Ford Fiesta R5 driver Sam Bilham will be aiming for a solid finish at this weekend’s second round of the BTRDA Rally Series, The Malcolm Wilson Rally (9th March).

After ending his maiden outing in the top-spec machine with a holed radiator in the early stages of the Cambrian Rally, Bilham will be hoping for better fortunes in Cumbria and will head to the home of the Ford World Rally Team, Dovenby Hall at M-Sport in Cockermouth.

Malcolm Wilson Rally

Dark ominous clouds hung over the Northern Lakes for the Malcolm Wilson Rally which saw David Bogie & Kevin Rae (Fabia R5) take victory by 20 seconds. Keith Cronin & Mikie Galvin (Fiesta R5) were fastest through the opener by a single second from Bogie, (which more than lost at our position with a run through a ditch and slight overshoot). Bogie hit back on stage 2 to take the lead before the lead swung back to Cronin, courtesy of fastest time through stage 3. Bogie then went fastest on stage 4 before regaining the lead on stage 5, a foggy Grizedale North, with another fastest stage time. It was in Grizedale South that the win was made as Bogie took almost 18 seconds out of Cronin on that stage.

Malcolm Wilson Rally

An action packed rally up in the Lake District saw Charlie Payne & Carl Williamson take back-to-back victories in the BTRDA championship. It all came after late drama for David Wright & Steve Pugh as their Focus WRC had differential problems, making the car want to swap ends constantly through the final stage. They did inevitably spin and a hard fought 13 second lead became a 23 second deficit handing Payne the win. Connor McCloskey & Damien Duffin (Mini WRC) had been fastest through the first stage but getting stuck in a deep water filled hole on stage 2 ended their rally. Wayne Sisson & Neil Shanks (Evo X) took the final podium spot after a consistent drive throughout the event, just over a minute behind Payne.

Malcolm Wilson Rally

High winds hit the Lake District for a murky and early start on the Whinlatter Pass and through the opening stages all looked to be going well for local ace Paul Bird, co-driven by Aled Davies, in his Focus WRC. He was fastest on the first 4 stages to take a lead of 15 seconds into Grizedale but Euan Thorburn & Richard Cooke (Focus WRC) took all of that back through Grizedale North before taking a huge 29 seconds out of Bird in Grizedale South. Thorburn then extened his lead on the final two stages to take victory by 46 seconds from Bird. David Weston & Kirsty Riddick (Impreza WRC) completed the top 3 by just 4 seconds after a final stage push, running well down the order, from Stephen Petch & Ian Windress (Fiesta R5+).