Michael Glendinnig roared round Charterhall to repeat his win of last year. Robin Hamilton in the Metro 6R4 tried hard and following a 30 second lag in stage 1, pulled back 3 seconds in stage 2. It was however never to be repeated as Glendinning powered away on the remaining 4 stages to keep Robin in second place by 70 seconds. Ian Peake and George Tindall from Hexham in an Evo 7 secured 3rd place, 34 seconds behind Hamilton.

Local BECC man Nigel Atkinson guided by HBCC member Dave Robson were the top locals, taking 4th overall in the Escort Cosworth. Seeded 24th, the pair powered their way through, beating Robin Hamilton on 3 of the 6 stages! This was more than enough to pick up the Class 4 prize.

Des Campbell will need a new trophy cabinet to show all the silver he and Christine Sanderson collected. Seeded 25th the little swift engined Nova pulled its way up through the field to 7th overall by stage 5. Des put caution to the wind and went for broke in an attempt to catch the Atkinson/Robson crew. A tall order which did not come off, though the gap was a mere 3 seconds, but it did pull a place back to 6th. A bonus came when Whickham's James Knox, who was ahead of Campbell, retired in the last stage, lifting Des into 5th overall. What a great day for this young crew, winning Class 1, 1st FWD, and the Richard Paterson Memorial Cup for the fastest driver under 25.

HBCC member Brian Middlemas brought the familiar red Avenger and enjoyed the fast flowing sections on this years stages. Guided by Stuart Bruce the pair took the historic (class 5) win, which carried with it the Richard Paterson Memorial Trophy for the first historic crew. The lack of "tyre" chicanes this year helped the tail swinging Middlemas, but I saw a few black "stripes" which told their own story!

The HBCC Rettie family brought the Opel Manta for a run, entering class 4, for which they ended 11th in class and 30th overall. Son Iain drove, while father George shouted out the route. Iain challenged the historic championship a couple of years ago in the Manta which is still going strong.

The HBCC Maxwell brothers Ian and Alistair brought Ian's Astra for a blast. All was short lived, as a pothole on stage 2 just after the "gate" snatched a drive shaft leaving one wheel drive! "I tried to go wide but the combination of more lock and power was just too much as the wheel clipped the edge of the pothole" reported Ian, who reckoned the drive train was probably weakened from the thrashing on last weeks Border Counties.

          All photographs courtesy Digitalpic


The Richard Paterson Memorial Trophy and Cup are presented in memory of 22 year old Richard, a member of Hawick and Border Car Club, who was killed on Otterburn Ranges in the 1997 Cheviot Rally, whilst co-driving with Lydia Calder.
The Trophy, donated by Jim and Rona Paterson, is presented to the first Historic crew whilst the Cup, donated by Lydia and Ken Calder, is presented to the first border crew member under 25 years of age.