Charlie Brown and Neil Turner continued their recent run of form in navigational events by winning the Teviotdale Rally on Saturday night. Turner, the top navigator in last week’s Moonbeam Rally, navigated for Gropers Rally winner Brown, and the pair brought their Volkswagen Lupo home well clear of closest rivals Robin Scott and Ewan Leeming in a Talbot Sunbeam. Alan Cowan and Lock Horsburgh took the third and final place in Open Class, competing in a Fiat Brava as opposed to their usual rally-prepared Peugeot 106 - before the event, Alan had suggested he leave ninety minutes early in order to have a chance of getting round on time, however the pair stayed well in touch with the other Expert crews.

In total, only twelve cars battled against the cold and occasionally slippery conditions, despite a late flurry of entries that could have resulted in as many as seventeen competitors. Curiously enough, it appeared to make more financial sense to run the event as a Twelve-Car - perhaps, as the Clerk of the Course later commented, this will encourage people to get their entries in earlier! In any case, the challenging route and numerous short sections meant that no crews were able clean the course, with the lowest-scoring crew - Non-Expert winners Andy Whittaker and Charlie Tynan - coming home on 7 penalties.

Similarly, Harry Merry and Leslie Mabon remained on time throughout the event on their way to winning Novice Class, however the pair missed two code boards (and a disorientated badger) early on to finish on 30 penalties. Contrary to allegations made by some other crews, however, the fact that Harry and Leslie remained on schedule has nothing to do with the vast stash of mint imperials in their Clio’s glovebox, which were offered to marshals at every time control.

In the Newcomer Class, Monty Pearson’s Vauxhall Corsa felt the benefit of fresh tyres, no longer going round corners as if driven by James Bond (although a highly experienced competitor, Monty was driving for his son Gary, and thus qualified for Newcomer status). Behind them, another father and son pairing, Ian and Sean Robson, rounded out the field - when one considers the uncertain future Navigational Rallying in Scotland is facing at the moment, it is particularly encouraging to see young competitors coming into the sport.

In spite of the low entry, Clerk of the Course Derek McLean ensured that the event remained a success by combining an entertaining route with challenging clues, maintaining his philosophy that “nobody should clean it, but no-one should go OTL either.” Nevertheless, all parties will be hoping for a healthier turnout when the ESACC Championship returns on the 3rd September with the Autumn Rally.

Leaderboard

Open Class

1. Charlie Brown/Neil Turner (VW Lupo) 26 minutes 00 seconds, 2. Robin Scott/Ewan Leeming (Talbot Sunbeam) 50.00, 3. Alan Cowan/Lock Horsburgh (Fiat Brava) 52.00

Non-Expert Class

4. Andy Whittaker/Charlie Tynan (Peugeot 205) 7.00, 5. Bill Chadwick/Alan Edwards (Peugeot 205) 61.00, 6. George Harrison/Alex Proctor (Ford Sierra) 67.00, 7. Jonathan Lodge/Caroline Lodge (Suzuki Swift) 91.00

Historic Class

8 David Thomson/Eric Bridgewater (Sunbeam Rapier) 209.00

Novice Class

9. Harry Merry/Leslie Mabon (Renault Clio) 30.00, 10. Euan Brodie/Eamonn Williams (Peugeot 205) 33.00

Newcomer Class

11. Monty Pearson/Garry Pearson (Vauxhall Corsa) 44.00, 12. Iain Robson/Sean Robson (Audi A4) 58.00.

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Updated20 April 2005
Webmaster - Jim Paterson