Round 5 - Autumn Stages - 17th October 2004
Despite a low entry on the
Autumn Stages, with almost 1/3rd of the drivers being registered for the
Challenge, several contenders were able to improve their positions. By rounding off the season
with a fine class win (and 2nd overall), Andy Corner did more than
enough to jump ahead of Jim Wicks and retain the overall drivers title. Jim
finished ahead of Class C, as Andy started off the year with a 1600cc motor,
closely followed by Robert Cameron. With James Greenwood already assured of
the co-driver’s title, a non-finish was enough to give Ian Jackson the Class C
Co-driver honours just ahead of Ian Wilson. Duncan Gamage and James
Walters consolidated their positions at the head of Class A with another class
win and 11th overall in the little Nova. The only contenders in
Class B were Tom Ryan/Rob Brook but a 4th in class was not enough
for Tom to overhaul Steve Laver for the class lead, although Rob was assured
of the Co-drivers title for that class. In Class D, Ian Rix did
enough to take the driver’s title while Stuart Parkins, being the only
registered co-driver to score any points, takes the Co-Drivers title. Despite a late entry to the
challenge from Nigel Killerby/Colin Watson, Stephen Simpson and Mark Booth
take the Class E titles by reason of their early season results. Mike Gregory
takes 2nd Class E Driver, again as a result of his early season
finish. The first event of next
year’s Challenge will be the Cambridge CC event on Sunday 9th
January, followed by our own Oakington Centenary Stages on Sunday 6th
February 2005. Regulations should be available for both events in December and
will be sent to all 2004 Registered Contenders. Before then, you may like to
enter the Rockingham Stages, at Rockingham Motor Speedway, on Sunday 12th
December. Full details and Regulations will shortly be available on the
website – www.rockinghamstages.co.uk
Round 4 - Bomb Along Stages - 12th September 2004
Well, it would seem that many
competitors are still suffering from hangovers or lack of competition-ready
cars after the summer break, as entries for the Bomb-Along Stages were down
in all classes. However, those that did enter have managed to improve their
positions and, with a maximum of 20 points available for a Class win, any
of the top 9 drivers and top 5 co-drivers, could still mathematically take
the title. Similarly, top honours in each of the Classes are down to the
last round and good results for some crews, with non-finishes from others,
could see almost any Class contender winning their Class. In Class A,
Clare Rix managed to get the Ka to the finish this time out so her score
has improved while Duncan Gamage/James Walters have increased their lead
by a further 10 points. Tom Ryan/Rob Brook were the only contenders out
in Class B so they have also increased their scores, although Steve Laver
continues to lead the Driver’s table despite missing this round. Jim
Wicks retains the lead for Class C Driver, despite finishing behind Andy
Corner on the day, while Keith Davison suffered another non-finish. 4th
in Class, behind non-contenders, moves James Greenwood to the head of the
Class C Co-Driver’s table. Second in Class D means that Ian Rix has
moved further ahead in that class, while non-finishes mean no change for
the Co-Drivers. Stephen Smith/Mark Booth continue to lead the 4 wheel
drive Class with their result on the first round. The last round of
this year’s Challenge is the Greenbelt Belt MC/Wickford AC ‘Autumn Stages’
on Sunday 17th October. Regs should be landing on your doormat any day
now – if they don’t, contact Stuart Kingham on 01245 323052.
Round 3 - Speedy Hire Cambridge Stages - 9th May 2004
Apologies to Andy Corner/James Greenwood for
not noticing that they had put a new engine in the 205 and changed to the
2-litre class for the Spring Rally Stages. The resultant correction
improves their overall positions quite considerably! Please check your
scores and let me know if you think they are wrong, so that any errors
can be corrected before the next event. Only 36 crews made the
start of the Speedy Hire Cambridge Stages and many registered contenders
were absent. That meant that those who did make the trip stood a good
chance of improving their positions in the tables. However, some
uncharacteristic retirements or problems seemed to negate much of the
advantage! Steve and Nicola Laver were the only contenders in
Class B, and the resultant win increased Steve’s lead in the Class and
moves him to the head of the overall standings, although it is still
very close. Nicola moves up to 2nd in class, despite missing the first
two rounds. Similarly, the only contenders in Class D were Richard
Upton/Stuart Parkins and a 2nd in Class improved their positions,
although Ian Rix still retains his lead in the Driver’s table.
With no registered contenders in either Class A or Class E, positions
in those Classes remain unchanged. The biggest change is in the
best-supported class – Class C. Consistent results have moved Jim Wicks
to the head of the Driver’s table, while Keith Davison/Ian Jackson
damaged their rear suspension and suffered a second retirement. The
non-finish just moves Ian in front of Ian Wilson at the top of the
Co-Driver’s chart. The next round, after the summer break, is the
Middlesex Bomb-Along Stages on 12th September and Regs should be
available around the middle of July. If they don’t land on your
doormat by the end of July, contact me!
Round 2 - Spring Stages - 4th April 2004
Despite a non-finish,
Tony Wales and Ian Wilson continue to head the overall standings –
but only on the ‘furthest cleanest’ rule – from Keith Davison and
Ian Jackson who were victorious on the Spring Rally Stages. These
crews are also disputing the 2 litre class, but with many contenders
non-starting or retiring on the last event, all the classes remain
wide open to anyone. Duncan Gamage/James Walters now head Class 1,
while Clare Rix suffered another uncharacteristic non-finish. In
Class 2, Steve Laver retains the driver’s lead, although Tom Ryan
has closed the gap, and his co-driver, Rob Brook, moves to the top
of the co-driver’s table. This crew being the only registered starters
in that class. In the over 2000cc classes, Ian Rix, as the only
registered starter, has extended his lead in the Driver’s table,
while Stuart Parkins continues to lead the Co-driver’s standings –
with a non-finish on the first round! Stephen Simpson and Mark Booth
continue to lead the 4WD standings, despite retiring their Subaru
after Stage 3. The next round is the Speedy Hire Cambridge Stages on
9th May (note the date change from the provisional date in the
calendar) and you should have received the Regs by now. If not,
contact Linda Shinkins on 01945 772627 (h) or 07885 630718 (m).
Round 1 - Oakington Stages - 8th February 2004
Well, despite the forecast, the weather
stayed dry for our first visit of the year to Oakington, although it
did get even colder as the day wore on! With almost 1/3rd of the
entry registering for the Challenge, it does mean that there are some
interesting changes to what has been the normal in the past. Could
this be the year that the fight for overall honours moves away from the
1600cc Class? With more entries in the 2000cc Class, the leaders after
the first round are Tony Wales/Ian Wilson in their 2-litre Escort, with
Dominic Nicholls/Steve Gale close behind. Steve Laver has started his
campaign with a fine 2nd in the 1600cc Class, behind Ian Brooks/Richard
Corney who are not registered, while Andy Corner/James Greenwood seemed
to have an off day and could only manage 6th in Class. With their
outright win Stephen Simpson/Mark Booth are leading the 4WD Class,
while Nick and Karen Ebsworth head the small Class. Ian Rix heads
the Class D Drivers table but with his co-driver not being registered,
Stuart Parkins is top of the Co-Driver’s chart, despite a non-finish!
The next round is the Sporting Car Club of Norfolk Spring Stages on Sunday
4th April 2004. Regulations should be forwarded to all contenders shortly
but if you don’t receive them contact David Leckie on 01603 893294.
2003 Final Results
Round 5 - Autumn Stages 19th October 2003
Having
successfully improved their position on each event throughout the year,
Steve and Nicola Laver finally won Class B, but their 2nd in class finish
on the Autumn Stages, after a dash back from Jersey, was enough to secure
the overall Challenge titles for Andy Corner and James Greenwood. Steve
and Nicola collect the Class B awards, while Simon Clark and Mark Harmer
win the awards for 2nd driver and co-driver respectively. In Class
A, reliability and consistency ensured that David and Lucy Johnson secured
the class titles, while Clare Rix collects the award for 2nd driver and
the 2nd co-driver’s award goes to Adrian Cooper. Keith Davison retains his
Class C Driver’s title but his use of different co-drivers during the year
leaves the co-drivers title to John Wicks. Jim Wicks collects 2nd driver,
while 2nd co-driver is Jenny Parkins. The Class D driver’s award goes to
Ian Rix, with Dennis Marshall 2nd, while Dennis’s co-driver, Mark James
wins the co-drivers award with Adele Candy 2nd. Mick Gregory picks up the
4WD drivers award while the best co-driver in that class is Andy Willis.
Thank you all for entering the events at Oakington and taking
part in this year’s Challenge.
Round 4 - Bomb-Along Stages 14th September 2003
Excellent weather
again greeted competitors for a good days competition at Oakington – shorts,
rather than race suits, being the preferred wear for the day. Unfortunately,
the second stage accident to the Escort Cosworth of Tim Stell/John Bennett
meant only 7 stages counted for the results but competition was still very
tight. Tim’s dislocated shoulder was soon fixed but he had to undergo a 5-hour
operation to rebuild his badly crushed knuckle and now has to remain in
hospital for a few days so that doctors can check his progress. We all wish
him a speedy recovery and return to competition. Although Andy Corner and
James Greenwood still lead the Challenge, they did not have it all their own
way, managing only 4th in Class B, while Steve and Nicola Laver
maintain the pressure with a strong 2nd in class. It is all down to
the last round and, with Andy in Jersey on the Saturday, it could prove very
interesting for the driver’s title! With no finishers (and only 1
starter) in Class D, positions remain unchanged while David and Lucy Johnson
continue to dominate Class A with a strong 3rd. Positions also
remain unchanged in Class E, although Nigel Killerby/Colin Watson have closed
the gap with a good third overall to make it a 3-way fight for the drivers
title. A very good first overall, and obviously winning Class C, moves Keith
Davison into the Driver’s Class lead, while John Wicks stays ahead of the
Co-Drivers table as Andrew Davison was away playing elsewhere - as a very
successful driver!
Round 3 - Speedy Hire Cambridge Stages 11th May 2003
Another good day at
Oakington although, without the Peugeots, a reduced entry with only 48 starters.
However, what was lacking in numbers was certainly made up for in quality, with
overall victory finally going to Steve Scott/Simon Green, ahead of Dave
Jacobs/Andy Willis, after Phil and Mick Gallagher retired their Metro on the
last stage. Yet again, Andy Corner and James Greenwood dominate the
Challenge, following another excellent win in Class B, but Steve and Nicola
Laver maintain the pressure with a strong 2nd in class. Despite
missing the first round, Nicola now moves up to 2nd overall, some way
behind James, who is already assured of the co-drivers title! However, with 2
rounds and 20 points available, Steve could still overhaul Andy to take the
drivers award. With Clare Rix having an uncharacteristic retirement, David
and Lucy Johnson maintain their lead in Class A, finishing 2nd in
Class to the Ford Ka of Charlie Jackson/Jonathan Stockwell. Jim and John
Wicks move to the head of Class C, being the only Challenge finishers in the
Class, after Graeme Williams retired after clutch problems on the first stage.
Ian Rix was the only contender to finish in Class D and, having won the Class,
he now moves in front of Dennis Marshall. No Class D co-drivers started the
event, so Mark James retains his 1st position. In Class E, Mick
Gregory retains his lead, although Dave Jacobs is now only 1 point in arrears
despite having missed the previous round. Andy Willis continues to head the
co-drivers table.
Round 2 - Spring Stages 13th April 2003
Well, a full entry and
excellent weather greeted the second round of the Challenge, marred only by
another stoppage on the first stage when the 205 of Ian Winstanley/Neil Bye
rolled in the complex. Thankfully, they were not injured and, with only
superficial damage to the car, were able to continue in the event, finishing
13th overall! Andy Corner and James Greenwood continue to
dominate the Challenge with another fine Class B win (and 6th
overall), while Steve Laver maintains his challenge with a 2nd in
the same class. Despite missing the first round, Nicola Laver also moves up to
2nd in Class B. This seems to be shaping up like last year, with
the Class B contender’s fighting for the overall honours as well as the Class.
Having led for most of the event, Keith/Andrew Davison retired after stage 7
when the gearbox cried ‘enough’ (or, as on the damage declaration, the driver
was frightened of making a speech!!) leaving overall victory to Dennis
Marshall/Mark James, who move into the lead of Class D, while also moving up
the overall leader board. With Clare Rix on the organising committee,
David/Lucy Johnson seized the opportunity of gaining the lead in Class A by
winning the Class, after Nick Vine/Dave Galbraith rolled their Nova on Stage
6. Graeme Williams/Jenny Parkins continue to lead Class C with
consistent rather than spectacular results – they are the only contenders to
finish both rounds! Mick Gregory moves into the lead of the 4WD class,
being the only contender to start the event, let alone finish!
Round 1 - Oakington Stages 9th February 2003
This year’s Challenge
has got off to a good start, despite the weather, but Steve Tillbrook’s
accident on Stage 2 did look very serious. Thankfully, although Chris is still
very sore, nothing was broken and, after being kept in hospital overnight, he
is now recuperating at home. We all wish him a speedy recovery and hope the
pain soon eases. Andy Corner, this year with James Greenwood riding
shotgun, showed he intends to continue from where he left off last year by
again winning his Class. However, the story would be very different if there
had been more high scoring contenders from Class C. With more starters in that
Class, a good result would net them more points and help them towards the
overall position. Despite winning the event, Dave Jacobs/Andy Willis are
not leading the Overall championships, as they are competing in a
lesser-supported Class. However, they have showed their intentions and are not
too far behind. Also ‘in the fight’ are Clare Rix/Aggie Foster and Ian
Rix who won their respective classes.
2002 Final Results
Round 5 - Rallispec Stages 20th October 2002
Andy Corner/Erik
West succeeded in holding Brian Birkin at bay to clinch the overall titles, but
Brian and his co-driver for the last 2 events, Russell Churchill, collect the
Class B Awards, with Alan Hercliffe/Mark Glasswell taking the 2nd in
Class awards. The close-fought battle for Class C honours was finally
resolved in favour of Keith and Andrew Davison, although it might have been
different if Ian Rix had not changed classes halfway through the year. Rob
Cameron/Tom Peddle finished runners-up in that class. Class D spoils go to
Tim Peal/Martin Little, with Ian Rix finishing 2nd driver in the
class after changing to a larger capacity car during the year. Graham
Churchill/Melvyn Johnson collect the Class A awards, while Class E was won by
Nigel Killerby/Colin Watson - not really surprising considering they were the
only 4WD contenders.
Round 4 - Bomb-Along Stages 8th September 2002
Andy Corner/Erik
West continue to lead overall but Andy’s lead has been drastically reduced to
only 6 points. While comfortably in control of the class, they suffered a broken
drive-shaft on Stage 6 and, although they were able to push the car to the
finish, they collected a maximum. This limited their loss to almost 8 minutes
and, although they were able to claw some time back, they finished 7th
in Class, just under 6 minutes behind Brian Birkin. Either Andy or Brian
are now certain of the overall drivers title, with the other taking Class B and,
as Brian has used different co-drivers during the year, Erik West is assured of
the co-drivers title. However, the classes are still fairly close and a good
score on the last round could see it all change. The unluckiest crew must
still be John Eaton/John McKerrell, who have registered 3 retirements – on each
occasion from good top-ten positions - and failed to start on this occasion.
Round 3 - Speedy Hire
Cambridge Stages
26th May 2002
Andy Corner/Erik
West continue to lead overall, but they lost their 100% class-winning record
at the weekend, being beaten on that occasion by the Corsa Kit Car of Patrick
McArthur/Linette Applegate. However, with two rounds remaining, there is still
an outside chance that they could be beaten, so they need to retain their good
finishing record for the remaining events. All the classes are still
fairly close and anyone registering good scores on the final two rounds could
take a class win, although Brian Birkin, with his consistent finishing record,
will take some catching in Class B. The unluckiest crew must be John
Eaton/John McKerrell, who have registered 3 retirements – on each occasion
from good top-ten positions.
Round 2 - Spring Stages 14th April 2002
We
apologise for the fact that the second round, The Spring Rally Stages, clashed
with other events, particularly the Mini Tempest at Longcross, but the dates at
Oakington have to be agreed in advance with the local council/environmental
health and no changes are allowed – if the date is changed, the event is lost.
With 2 class wins, Andy Corner and Erik West have moved into a clear lead
overall but the positions in the classes are fairly close and, with three rounds
remaining, anything can still happen – especially as many of you have yet to
register a finish!
Round 1 - Oakington Stages 10th February 2002
to follow
2001 Final Results
Round 4 - Speedy Hire Cambridge Stages
Round 3 - Bomb-Along Stages
Round 2 - Rallispec Stages
Round 1 - Oakington Stages
