Subaru Group N Trophy – by Val Thompson and Neil Dodd

Wyn Wins

The Prodrive supported Subaru Group N Trophy visited the second round of the ANCRO MSA Gravel Rally Championship when competitors tackled nine stages in the Kielder Forest complex.

Inclement weather conditions greeted the crews with reports of up to eight inches of snow lying at some points over the stages. Tyre choice was always going to prove a headache for the drivers and many could be seen walking past their competitors cars and having a sneaky peak at the tyres being used.

First to leave the Jedburgh start and first to fall foul of the Keilder roads were the winners of the first round of the trophy, Rallye Sunseeker, Alistair Tough and Ali MacKay .The Subaru N12 driver suffered a blown turbo on stage 1. Rob Smith and Alun Cook also got no further than first service with turbo problems.

Matt Owen/Ross Butler (N11) registered for the series this weekend for Matt’s first event in a Subaru and he set some impressive times through the day, although he slipped back later in the in the competition.

Fastest at the end of the day though, and bringing their N12 version home first in the Subaru Trophy were Wyn Humphries and Mark Lewis. The pair ended the seventy miles with a totally unmarked car and in 11th place overall. Wyn seemed rather overwhelmed by the champagne reception which awaited them at the finish arch, but if they keep on at this pace then it is something that they will have to get used to!

The next round of the Subaru Trophy will be held on the 5th / 6th May on the RBS international Manx Rally.

The Subaru Trophy follows all of the MSA Gravel Rally Championship rounds and culminates in a gala prize presentation evening where the winner will receive the Dave Wood memorial trophy and an award donated by Prodrive.

 

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