McCormack wins Roger Albert Clark Rally

Marty McCormack and Barney Mitchell won the 2017 Roger Albert Clark Rally (10-13 November) after four days, 270 stage miles and 29 special stages in the forests of Wales, Northumberland and Scotland.

The Northern Irish crew battled hard with leaders Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke over the first two days and moved ahead when Pritchard was sidelined by a broken halfshaft. Once ahead, McCormack continued his stunning pace to win by 1m44s from fellow former winners Matthew Robinson and Sam Collis while Roger Chilman and Bryan Thomas turned in a star performance on unfamiliar stages for third after leading overall during the opening day in Wales. The concurrent Open Rally was won convincingly by the Ford Escort Mk2 of David Hutchinson and Jeff Garnett.

RAC Rally

A true epic saw the 91 starting crews take in 30 stages across England, Scotland and Wales, in the 260+ stage mile event. It all started st Shelsley Walsh with a run up the hill climb and a historic first ever competitive run down the hill to follow. Jason Pritchard & Phil Clarke (Escort MkII) lead by a single second after the opening pair of stages before the real meat of the rally began. Roger Chilman & Bryan Thomas (Escort MkII) set fastest time by 18 seconds through Radnor, to lead Pritchard by 9 seconds with Steve Bennett & Osian Owen (Escort MkII) third overall. Pritchard was joint fastest with Matt Robinson & Sam Collis (Escort MkII) on Gwibedog but fastest on the Epynt stage put Pritchard back in to the lead as the crews headed up to Carlisle. Chilman was 2nd overall, just 9 seconds back with Rudi Lancaster & Guy Weaver (Escort MkII) just over half a minute back in 3rd place.

Bird bags Woodpecker Stages win

Ford Focus WRC pilot Paul Bird ensured his return to the sport was a successful one by taking victory at the EVENTSIGNS Woodpecker Stages Rally (2nd September) in Ludlow with co-driver Jamie Edwards alongside.

Malvern Showground Stages

Our first visit to the Three Counties Showground for the first running of the rally since the early 80’s, was nothing other than a pleasure and a total success. A great venue and a great rally, well organised and well run. In an effort to level the playing field the 4WD crews were given a 2 second per mile penalty but the slippery conditions did not stop Roger Chilman Jr & Andrew Sankey from taking their Impreza to victory by almost two minutes. Behind them Sean Crowley & Marc Mayes (Nova) were the best of rest and just over 50 seconds clear of 3rd place. The battle for 3rd was a real fight with less than 30 seconds covering 3rd to 9th overall, but it was event sponsor Jay Stanley & James Young (Escort MkII) who took the final podium spot after a day of entertaining driving.