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STAGE SNIPPETS….
(or if you prefer, Toady’s Tales… - Ask
Trevethick)
Former double Scottish Champion and ex ANCRO regular Barry Johnson
didn’t win any awards on the BCR, but he could be commended for
endeavour. After breaking the rear differential on his Subaru WRC on the
way to SS1, Barry and co driver Stewart Merry retired but seeing as
though he didn’t want to waste the day and given he’s preparing for the
forthcoming Scottish Six Days Trial, he secured a last minute entry on
the Weardale event that afternoon and promptly went and won it…
Many fans were expecting to see ‘Mad’ Mick Jones out in action in his Mk
2 Ford Escort after making no secret of the fact that he wanted the
prize drive in Marcus Dodd’s Hyundai WRC if he won the HPM Motorsport
2WD Challenge but instead, he passed his entry onto 17 year old son
Darren who was contesting only his second forest event in his Peugeot
205.
Runner up Roger Duckworth had to draft in the services of Ian Allsop
when regular map-man Mark Broomfield injured his back during the week
preceding the BCR. Allsop, who normally co drives for Jon Ingram on
BTRDA events, did a fine job although the pair had a major panic after
puncturing on the final road section and having to make emergency
repairs, only just getting to the finish in time.
Mitsubishi runner Stephen ‘Hollywood’ Petch won the battle of the cone
penalties (applied by the organisers to keep the speeds down by placing
strategic chicanes) with three strikes to most people’s one
Marcus Dodd, like Barry Johnson was also in action on two wheels as well
as four as he was travelling back to contest an Enduro in Dorchester the
following day. He got a bit of an unwanted head start when he took an
early bath after rolling out on SS6.
Steve Perez’s victory was his first ‘major’ National ‘A’ Rally victory
of his career. Even when he won the title back in 2004, he did it
without winning a rally.
Note to all charities: Do not ask Mitsubishi PR man Simon Slade to
provide any prizes for auctions and raffles this year. Instead of a nice
jacket or fleece, you’re likely to get a wooden box priced at £3.99 with
‘Jock’s Ironmongers, Jedburgh’ stamped on it…
Sadly, this is likely to be the final ‘Stage Snippets’ as we (i.e. the
current ANCRO Press Officer…) are moving on to pastures new. I have
thoroughly enjoyed my three years involvement with the best rally
championship in the world but due to circumstances beyond my control, it
is not possible to continue at this time. Thanks to all the competitors
and organisers who have become friends and at some point, I may be back
but until then, it is time for someone else to take the reins!
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THEY SAID WHAT….?
"Do we push on and try to win by a full minute…?” Eventual winner Steve
Perez studies the time sheets after Marcus Dodd had rolled out leaving
with a gap of 54 seconds at the final service. Co driver Claire Mole
looked on unimpressed…
“You were worried? We were bloody worried…” Roger Duckworth points out
the seriousness of the situation to commentator Bob Molloy when asked
about his puncture on the final road
“Is there a toilet round here…?” Hot on the heels of Mitsubishi runner
Phil Morrow asking the self-same question in Bournemouth , Subaru lassie
Kirsty Riddick needs to answer the call of nature this time – in the
depths of the Otterburn ranges.
"My favourite tyre is not my favourite tyre any more, now I have a new
favourite” One of the pre-event favourites Paul Bird after his
insistence on using his favourite rubber when clearly, something
unfavourable would perhaps have been more favourable.
“I’m OK now I’ve woken up…” A7 winner Rod Bennett is obviously a late
riser. This was 2.30pm in the afternoon.
“Every time I sit in the car I’m learning more about it. The puncture on
Stage three was completely my fault …” Refreshing honesty form a very
mature 19 year old David Bogie…
“Where’s your skirt…?” Rallye Sunseeker mastermind Rick Smith opts for a
change of career as he masquerades as a certain female South African
rally reporter…
“That’s no good; I don’t deal in foreign currency…’ Jock ‘Lance’
Armstrong tries to bribe a certain journalist with a Scottish tenner on
the start ramp so as not to write anything ‘bad’ about him…
“We lost the brakes on the last stage; I think we need a new car…”
Subaru runner Huw Jeffries considers his options; surely just bleeding
them would be cheaper?
“You don’t half look like Mr Toad…” You would have thought ANCRO
Chairman John Trevethick would have more respect for an influential
member of the media…
“He’s right; you do look like Mr Toad…’ That’s Ciara Conlon (what’s she
doing interloping with us again..?) off the Christmas card list also…
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TV Coverage
‘Rally Fever’ will again be aired on the various Sky Sports channels
during 2007 with scheduled programmes featuring the Border Counties
Rally as follows:
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Tuesday 10th April Sky Sports Extra 17:00, 21:00 & 24:00
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Wednesday 11th April Sky Sports 3 09:30;
Sky Sports 2 13:00
Webmaster -
webmaster@bordercountiesrally.co.uk |
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