The Full Story (2024)

02/10/2024

MEADOWS MAKES A GRASS ROOTS RETURN TO RALLYING AT HARLECH STAGES

World Rally Championship PR Manager Tommi Meadows will return to his clubman roots at the Harlech Stages on 13th October when he drives a BMW Mini Cooper in a round of the popular Mini Rally Challenge one-make series. In a deal brokered by MRC organiser Guy Butler, Meadows will use an R50 (non-supercharged) car owned by Butler and used this year by Junior 1000 Championship graduate Julian Fouquet.

Meadows, a former BTRDA Gold Star championship regular, was persuaded to drive after meeting Butler and his daughter, Florence, at this year’s Rally Finland. He explained “Guy and Flo were dodging a downpour of rain so we invited them into our motorhome. I know Guy from when we both competed in the BTRDA championship. He’s a big supporter of grassroots motorsport; he and Florence both compete in the Mini Challenge. We got talking about how good the championship is and Guy offered me his own R50 to use.”
Although Meadows has not driven competitively for 12 months due to work commitments and buying a house, he is keen to experience the Mini Challenge first-hand. “From what I’ve seen, it’s a series that is going places and designed to make rallying more accessible, especially for clubmen.”

At Harlech, Meadows will be co-driven by the experienced Laura Cooledge.

Writer: Ian Harden

23/09/2024

MICK’S MICRA GETS THE MENFULNESS MAKEOVER

Nissan Micra driver Mick Smith will be raising awareness and funds for a York-based men’s mental health charity when he contests several local rallies starting with the Trackrod Rally this weekend.

Smith has stickered his Micra to represent the Menfulness charity and hopes to raise over £900 to pay initially for five men to undergo counselling, which Menfulness offers through a local specialist service. He also hopes to shed light on issues affecting men’s mental health. Smith explained: “I want to raise enough money to put some blokes through the Menfulness counselling if I can, but most of all I want to let people know it's alright if you're struggling right now. This is somewhere you can talk and get help. Or, if you could spare a few quid, we'd be really grateful.”

Menfulness began six years ago as a men’s social group and achieved charitable status in 2022. Nowadays it runs monthly talking sessions, Walk and Talk outings, an allotments group and a tennis group. Smith’s son, Sam Watling is one of six people who started Menfulness. He says: “It’s fantastic to have my dad supporting us. The Micra looks great, and it highlights that we are an organisation where men can open up about their struggles without being stigmatised.”

Smith will continue to promote Menfulness on the Malton Rally in November and at next year’s East Riding Stages.

Writer: Ian Harden

13/09/2024

MORGANS MAINTAINS PROTYRE CLASS CHALLENGE WITH THIRD DIFFERENT CAR

Protyre MSUK Asphalt Rally Championship contender Aled Wyn Morgans will drive the third different car in as many rallies this weekend as he bids for a class B13 podium place at the Hills Ford Three Shires Stages.

Morgans was forced to swap cars after crashing his Aberystwyth Motorsport-prepared Ford Es**rt Mk2 at the Gareth Hall Memorial Stages, the severe damage putting his Rali Ceredigion entry in jeopardy. Fortunately, Ford Es**rt G3 driver Lee Edwards stepped in and offered to loan his car. Despite having never driven the V6 machine before, Morgans and co-driver Ian Taylor stormed the rain-affected stages, finishing 17th overall and fifth in class.

Morgans says he could not have maintained his championship challenge without Edwards’s sporting gesture. “I really thought our season was done and dusted. Lee’s kindness kept us in the fight for Protyre points and we wanted to repay him with a good result. We had a fair few big slides in the wet but we kept it on the island and we’re going to the final round in a strong position.”

For this weekend’s Protyre championship finale, Morgans has hired a 2.5 litre Es**rt Mk2 from Dylan Davies. He is upbeat about his chances. ’We are hoping to score good points and hopefully get on the podium. However it’s a big ask with Darren Atkinson, Huw James and Gordon Morrison absolutely flying all year. To make things even more interesting, Brad Cole is back after his nasty accident at the Manx; I’m sure will be on the pace immediately.”

Writer: Ian Harden

27/08/2024

Hello, everyone,

One of the best things about Pilates, which I have done for the past nine years under the tutelage of my good pal, Caroline Cooper, is that you never stop learning. As you get better, you pick up nuances about individual exercises that work (or, sometimes, not) for you as an individual. Active practitioners of the regime will know that some standing exercises involve bending gently forwards and downwards. So, in the spirit of mutual enlightenment I would like to share a significant discovery I made yesterday: never fart during the bending over phase.

There are various reasons, the main one being that you breathe out as you flex downwards, which empties your lungs and 'braces' your core muscles. Once you are fully bent over and, in this case, wallowing in a boiling sea of recently unleashed effluent, you then have to breathe in very deeply to come up again. I have no idea what the cloud of gas I released on an unsuspecting world contained, but I am firmly convinced that the UK government's former germ warfare centre at Porton Down wasted millions of taxpayers' dosh failing to produce what I came up with, absolutely free of charge.

The results of entering the gas abyss are impressive. My nasal hairs have dissolved, along with completely losing my sense of smell. However, there is a beneficial side-effect; I was laughing so much by the time I was upright again, that my diaphragm and core muscles got a really strong workout.

With exercise regimes such as Hot Yoga very much in vogue, I am confident that there is a case for 'Pilfartes' classes. With winter coming and the expected energy price rises, I'm sure there would be a way of capturing the accumulated methane gas and using it as a heating source. Pensioners would be welcome at a reduced rate and could also use the classes as a day centre.

Take care, all,

Ian.

16/07/2024

Hello, everyone,

I have been contacted by Paul Turton, who is looking for some high resolution photos of Andy 'Farmer' Watson, to use in the Order of Service for Andy's funeral. If any photographers on FB have good quality shots of Andy, particularly on the recent Kielder Stages, would you please send them either to me or Paul. If FB Messenger is a non-goer, please email me at [email protected].

Let's give Paul and Andy's family a choice of some great pictures that will do credit to Andy and the joy he brought to rallying.

Thanks, everyone, for your help.

Ian.

11/07/2024

Hello, everyone,

I have a favour to ask of anyone who lives anywhere in reasonable distance of Twickenham, and who will be at the Nicky Grist Stages. Would you be able to bring two wheels and tyres for a BMW Mini Cooper back with you so that I can collect them next week? If it's a goer, John Goff will find you in the Service area and will drop them off to you.

Many thanks and best wishes to everyone competing at the NGS.

Ian.

07/07/2024

Hello, everyone, An important apology for a mistake on my previous post. Andy Watson's co-driver was Kevin Watkins, not Keith. Ian.

07/07/2024

ANDY WATSON - IN MEMORIAM

National rallying is in mourning after the death of popular competitor, Andy ‘Farmer’ Watson. The Yorkshire driver was contesting the Greystoke Stages Rally with co-driver Keith Watkins in his Mini Cooper R53, when he suffered a cardiac arrest on a road section after the second stage. Efforts to revive him by Paramedics and the rally safety team were unsuccessful and he was declared dead at the scene. The remainder of the rally was cancelled as a mark of respect.

A statement from the rally organisers read: “It is with immense sadness that we inform you all of the passing of a rally competitor on today’s Greystoke Stages. The competitor was taken unwell whilst on a road section in between stages and was pronounced dead at the scene. Greystoke Stages officials acted immediately to assist the emergency services, who we remain in contact with. The thoughts and condolences of Motorsport UK, West Cumbria Motorsport Club and Eden Valley Motor Club go to the competitor’s family, friends and loved ones.”

Andy, from Ulrome in the East Riding of Yorkshire, was a stalwart of the Mini Rally Challenge. He took up rallying last year, at the age of 67, making his debut at the Riponian Stages in February 2023. His ready smile and easy going nature made him one of the most popular competitors in the one-make series. Last year, Andy struck up a strong in-car partnership with experienced co-driver Emma Cooper, who described him as “An absolute gentleman, both on and off the stages.” She added “Andy will be greatly missed.”

Writer: Ian Harden.

30/06/2024

Hello, everyone,

This is a 'beg, hire, borrow or buy' request on behalf of my good pal, Chris Butcher. Chris needs a car to contest the Tour of Epynt on 20th and 21st July. It needs specifically to be 2-litre, so that Chris can keep up his challenge for class honours in the Protyre Asphalt Championship.

If you have anything suitable to hire, lend or buy, please contact Chris on FB, or contact me and I will pass your details on to Chris.

Incidentally, a personal message to any Facebook Scam Scum who may think of trying your luck with false offers. Don't bother; crawl back under your dung heaps and stay there with the rest of the turds. Capiche?

For information, Chris's Nissan Sunny GTi is undergoing engine work and will not be ready for the event, hence the appeal for a replacement.

Thanks very much for your collective help,

Ian.

27/06/2024

DRAG RACER FORCE INJURED IN 300MPH ACCIDENT

Drag racing legend John Force is recovering in the Intensive Care Unit of a Virginia hospital after surviving a fiery 300mph-plus accident at the Virginia Motorsports Park.

The Indiana-based veteran was competing in the first elimination round of the NHRA Virginia Nationals and had crossed the finish line at 302mph when his Chevrolet Camaro Funny Car suffered a catastrophic engine blow up. The car was engulfed in flame and swerved left, hitting the concrete retaining wall, before being thrown across the track and hitting the other barrier. It finally came to rest in the middle of the track.

The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Safety Safari team attended to Force straightaway and transferred him by helicopter to the trauma unit of a local hospital.

Although Force was conscious and alert when the safety team extricated him from the Camaro, doctors have given no updates about the 75-year old’s condition. A press release states: “Attending doctors were moving slowly in assessing the extent of the injuries because of the intensity of the impact.”

Force is one of the most successful drivers in drag racing history. He began racing in 1978 and is best-known for driving 11,000 bhp Funny Cars. He has had a star-studded career including 16 NHRA championships. The success, however, has come at the cost of several nasty injuries, including a broken ankle and dislocated wrist during a crash at the 2007 Fall Nationals in Texas.

Force currently owns and drives for his own team, John Force Racing, and is the father of three successful drag racers: Ashley, Courtney and front-running Top Fuel driver Brittany Force.

Writer: Ian Harden

25/06/2024

GRUBE’S STRONG DRIVE NETS A FIRST CLASS PODIUM ON SECOND -EVER RALLY

Rallying novice Sven Grube produced a mature, controlled drive in difficult conditions at last weekend’s Argyll Rally to score his first class podium in what was only his second-ever rally.

Overcoming the challenges of contesting his first multi-venue event and his first time on route notes, the St Asaph-based driver remained mistake-free throughout the opening evening’s seven stages. While other crews fell by the wayside, Grube and last-minute replacement co-driver Corey Powell-Jones concentrated on settling into a smooth rhythm in their BMW Mini Cooper, climbing from a seeding of 137th to end the opening loop of seven stages in 71st place overall. At the overnight halt, Grube reported ”The conditions were terrible at times and it didn’t help when we had to drive SS7 with a completely misted up windscreen. However, even with that issue we’ve gained heavily on our seeding. We will push a bit more tomorrow and see where it gets us.”

On day two, Saturday, Grube stayed as good as his word, upping his pace throughout the morning. Fast and tidy runs through Loch Fyne 2 and Whistlefield 2 (SS17 and 18) netted the pairing fastest time in Class 5 on both stages and consolidated second in class, 47 seconds behind Robbie / Keith McTaggart (Citroen C2).

At the finish, a jubilant Grube said: “This whole rally was so challenging; finishing so strongly is way above my expectations before the event. We’ve overcome a number of minor niggles and we’ve done the whole rally on one set of tyres.”

Grube is picking and choosing his rallies this year and his next planned outing is the Cambrian Rally in October.

Writer: Ian Harden

24/06/2024

Hello, everyone,

Do any rally photographers have action pictures of car 137 on the Argyll Rally that they would kindly let me use to enhance a news item I have written about rally novice Sven Grube? The youngster took 56th overall and claimed his first-ever class podium in only his second-ever rally; I firmly believe he is a driver to watch in the future. His car is a tiger-striped BMW Mini Cooper.

Thank you all for your help, Ian.

17/06/2024

JENKINS STAYS IN THE FIGHT FOR HONOURS DESPITE FRAUGHT FINISH AT KIELDER

Ford Fiesta R2 driver Michael Jenkins is maintaining pressure on the leaders in the BTRDA and MSUK English Rally Championships after picking up vital points at the Kielder Forest Rally.

The Oxfordshire-based driver overcame numerous troubles including three punctures, a cracked brake caliper and an oil leak to finish 53rd overall, which consolidates second overall in BTRDA Silver Star and sixth in the MSUK English Rally Championship.

Jenkins and co-driver Jordan Joines’s troubles began in SS1, Falstone 1, getting stuck on the edge of a ditch, ironically in front of the livestream cameras. The following car, Dale Glover’s Alfasud Ti had to take avoiding action, but the pair got going again, changing a puncture that caused the slide off on the next road section. A further tyre change came after discovering a split in a sidewall. It also revealed a cracked brake caliper. The Ignition Motorsport mechanics fitted a new caliper at service; however, this kept locking on throughout the afternoon, making the Fiesta handle as though the handbrake was applied.

On SS5, The Bower 2, Jenkins and Joines ran into a sharp downpour that caused the windscreen to mist up: “We couldn't see a thing; the car completely fogged up even though the heated screen was on and the roof vent and windows were open” reported Joines later. Their final problems came on the last stage, Shepherdshield 2, when an oil leak caused the car to fill with smoke and the brakes boiled.

At the finish, Jenkins summed up the team’s day. “That’s the most eventful rally Jordan and I have done; we didn’t have a single clean stage, but we have made it to the finish. We’re not sure where the oil leaked from, but we will take the engine out before the Nicky Grist Stages and check. Importantly we are finishing and picking up vital points, which should see us right at the season's end.”

The result leaves Jenkins tenth overall in BTRDA Gold Star, second in Sliver Star and leading Class B10, together with sixth overall in the MSUK English Championship.

The next BTRDA round is at the Nicky Grist Stages on 13th July.

Writer: Ian Harden

09/06/2024

RALLY ROUTE RELEASED FOR ISLAND STAGES

Isle of Wight Car Club have announced route details for their Island Stages Rally, which Is scheduled for 2nd November. In a complete revamp of the farmland-based course that was used for the inaugural event two years ago, the rally becomes a closed road event based in Newport and features multiple runs on a three-and-a-half-mile stage near Binstead on the island’s east side. There will be eight stages in four loops of two, with the direction reversed in the afternoon. In total there are 28 stage miles.

The stage includes a jump over a hump-backed bridge which goes over the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Ford Fiesta R5 driver Richard Weaver, whose firm is sponsoring the event, says the bridge section will be challenging and exciting for competitors: “the approach to the bridge is steep in both directions; the jump will be huge at speed.”

Weaver says the course is designed to give crews who compete on single venue rallies a taste of closed road events. “The road is a good mix; there is a wooded section through Firestone Copse and fast open sections along Rowlands Lane. It’s good for novices and experienced drivers alike.”

Spectators will be well-catered for, says Weaver. The rally can be viewed from a grass area at The Cow Shed in Havenstreet village. A shuttle bus will run to spectator parking at the nearby IoW Steam Railway. Firestone Copse will be accessible via the footpath near the White Hart Inn in Havenstreet and via Newnham Lane.

Writer: Ian Harden

08/06/2024

Hello, everyone,

I have just realised it is a week since I was sitting in Anglesey race circuit's cafe, after day one of Rali Menai. Andy Stretton and I were having our second run out since a nine-year layoff and we felt we were making real progress, following the disappointment of retiring from the Dukeries Rally in March.

We asked to be seeded further down the field so that we didn't get in anyone's way, and the strategy worked. We set our own pace on both days, getting quicker as Andy learned more about the Impreza, a very different beast to the Peugeot 205 we used to rally.

For the record, we finished 18th overall having been seeded 44th. However, the main point is we finished, and had a great time in the process.

The Impreza is sensible spec rather than a full-on Thunder Beast, and it does everything really well. The braking is phenomenal and it sticks to a line in high speed corners. It gave Andy the confidence to push on and test its limits. For me, it was my most enjoyable rally since deciding to return to co-driving.

There are a lot of people to thank; firstly, our mechanics, Ste and Harvey, for keeping the beast fettled. Importantly, thank you to Ste's young daughter, Amelia, for keeping the car so wonderfully clean between stages! Next, the organisers and marshals for running such a challenging rally. We're also grateful for all the offers of help and advice from other crews' mechanics when we had a puzzling electrical problem at scrutineering.

My personal thanks go to Neil Spain of HireFit for hiring me the helmet, HANS and race suit. Excellent service, as before. Most importantly, my thanks go to my good pal, Andy, for driving the car so well, and giving the whole team such a terrific weekend.

The excellent pictures are courtesy of Islwyn Motorsport Photography, to whom I am grateful for letting me use them.

Take care, all,

Ian.

29/05/2024

ROSS'S NEW ES**RT PROVES STRONG IN TESTING AHEAD OF SMEATHARPE DEBUT

Stalwart clubman competitor Ian Ross says there is huge potential in his new Ford Es**rt Mk2, after it ran strongly in a test session yesterday.

The 2-litre machine features a KGP engine, linked to a Samsonas sequential gearbox. Ross and experienced co-driver Dan Petrie shook the car down at Throckmorton airfield on Tuesday) ahead of its competition debut at Smeatharpe this weekend. Both men agreed that the car has huge potential as a contender for class and overall honours. "The car has only done one rally from new; there's a lot of usable power, it handles well and the ride is taut with a bit of understeer" beamed Ross. After years of driving cars with 'H' pattern gearboxes, Ross acknowledges that the sequential Samsonas unit will take some getting used to "It's a very precise engagement, and you have to be brutal with the lever to get each gear. But, changes are a lot quicker than with an 'H' pattern box and it can handle the power with no problem."

Ross bought the car because, he says, he always wanted a top-spec Es**rt that would keep up with the quick boys. "It's been a promising first test and we've learned a lot. Now let's see if the driver can actually drive it."

Writer: Ian Harden

20/05/2024

Hello, everyone,

All being well, I am co-driving at the Rali Menai on June 1st / 2nd. Can anyone recommend a value for money B&B near to Trac Mon / Ty Croes? At the moment, even the chain hotels like Travelodge seem to be over £100 per night on Anglesey, which is too much for me.

Thanks,

Ian.

19/05/2024

COLE PLANS RALLYING RETURN AT THREE SHIRES STAGES

Ford Es**rt Mk2 driver Brad Cole has vowed to return to rallying in time for the Three Shires Stages, after breaking his arm in a crash at last weekend’s Manx National Rally.

Cole and co-driver Dan Petrie’s powerful challenge on the Manx lanes came to an abrupt halt on the final stage, The Baldwins 2. Having stormed their way up to equal seventh overall, their Hydroline Solutions-backed machine suddenly stepped out of line, went onto the grass and hit a dry stone wall. “The steering wheel snapped back the other way and I felt a vicious pain in my forearm. I knew something was wrong immediately” says Cole.

A trip to hospital confirmed the worst: a broken forearm which, says Cole, may need to have a plate installed. The injury, combined with damage to the Es**rt means he will have to sit out the next round of the Protyre MSUK National Asphalt Championship, the Jim Clark Rally. Despite the disappointment, Cole is upbeat about returning to action in September “The car is a bit of a mess but we are already working on repairing it. I can’t do much due to my arm, but I can make cups of tea and crack open cans of lager for the lads.”

Writer: Ian Harden

The Full Story

02/10/2024

23/09/2024

13/09/2024

27/08/2024

16/07/2024

11/07/2024

07/07/2024

07/07/2024

30/06/2024

27/06/2024

25/06/2024

24/06/2024

17/06/2024

09/06/2024

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