Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Cup – by Simon Slade

Thompson Wins Round Two To Take Series Lead

Tony Thompson and co-driver Jon Dunning recorded victory in round two of the MSA Gravel Rally Championship based Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Cup, the Brick and Steel Border Counties Rally, which took place in Kielder forest on Saturday 18th March. They took the lead on the final stage when previous leaders, Tim Pearcey/Paul McGuire suffered transmission problems on the last of the event’s nine stages.

Seven Evolution Cup crews entered the weekend’s event – and seven finished, which was no mean feat considering that the stages were punctuated with varying amounts of snow, the week leading up to the rally seeing conditions in Northumberland and the Borders decidedly Scandinavian!

Pearcey took the Evo Cup lead from the start and drove superbly to run as high as third overall by the end of the fourth stage. Initially, Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson held second, but were overtaken by a quickening Thompson on SS3.

First round winners, Anthony Willmington/Andy White, made the long trip north from Dorset to compete and, not expecting conditions to be quite like they were, held fourth place throughout the event.

Even though it was difficult to predict the levels of grip from stage to stage, because of the changing conditions from snow to gravel, the battle for Evolution Cup honours was fiercely fought, with just over half a minute separating the first three crews at the finish.

Jonathan Sparks/Bradley Magnus were pleased to get to the finish in fifth place, whereas EmmaMcKinstry/Simon Mooney were just pleased to finish, following their early retirement in round one. Gareth/Neil Bevan made their Evo Cup debut and finished seventh.

The third round of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Cup and the National Gravel Championship, takes place on the Isle of Man on 5th and 6th May, when the series switches to asphalt for just one event.

Results

1st: Tony Thompson (Northallerton)/Jon Dunning (York) - Evo VIII: 1.17.49.0
2nd: Stephen Petch (Richmond)/Michael Wilkinson (Tow Law) - Evo VII: 1.17.58.9
3rd: Tim Pearcey (Harrogate)/Paul McGuire - Evo XI: 1.18.21.1
4th: Anthony Willmington (Dorchester)/Andy White (Weymouth) - Evo XI: 1.19.59.2
5th: Jonathan Sparks (Glastonbury)/Bradley Magnus (Downham Market) - Evo VII: 1.29.29.3
6th: Emma McKinstry (Banbridge)/Simon Mooney (Banbridge) - Evo XI: 1.30.33.4
7th: Gareth Bevan (Hirwaun)/Neil Bevan (Rhigos) - Evo XI: 141.30.6
 

Webmaster - webmaster@bordercountiesrally.co.uk