Welch and Proctor head to Flying Fortress victory
Organiser: Dukeries MC When: June 26 Where: Grafton Underwood, Northants Championships: Alexander Calder Financial EMAMC, Roadrunner/ Phoenix Awards ANEMMC. Jelf Motorsport AEMC Stages: 8 Starters: 63
With the fastest time on the opening three stages, Dave Welch and Stuart Proctor were never headed as their Subaru Impreza secured victory by 23 seconds on the Flying Fortress Stages.
Simon Belcher/sam Bailey started strongly, holding second in their Impreza until a broken driveshaft put them out after three stages. Alex Cannon/ray Keith’s Impreza became the new chaser, taking time out of Welch on three of the remaining five stages to consolidate second place.
Gary Wayne/neal Bloor and Ian Tiffany/graham White (both Imprezas) swapped over fourth and fifth early on, but Tiffany gradually eased clear of his rival securing third from stage four and Belcher’s retirement.
Class three leaders Simon Thomas/kate Bannister had duelled with the Andy Graham/ Rob Mchenry Escort, but their Peugeot 306 not only secured the class win but pipped Wayne for fourth on the final stage.
Graham followed Wayne to complete the top six after Craig Bellworthy/james Whitby’s Impreza dropped back before hitting a tree on the final stage.
For a while David Wood/pete Kettle’s Mitsubishi Lancer was making progress too, but a puncture and gear selection problems dropped them from eighth position.
Apart from class three, there was very little movement in the leading positions, with five of the six class winners holding sway from the start. In the up to 1000cc division Jessica Robinson/chris Sheridan, beat Belle Williams/alex Mill in a Micra duel by just over a minute. David Mcmullan/mark Melhuish’s Nova briefly held 10th overall and went on to take class one from Adam Tomlinson/james Hinchliff ’s Ford Puma.
Matt Wood/riki Musson completed the top 10 overall in their Vauxhall Corsa, taking class two with just over a minute in hand from Mick Pickles/beverley Warren’s Proton Satria.
Phil Nagle/ian Lowe took a lastgasp class four win in their Escort.
Results
1 Dave Welch/ Stuart Proctor (Subaru Impreza) 1h07m43s; 2 Alex Cannon/ Ray Keith (Impreza) +23s; 3 Ian Tiffany/ Graham White (Impreza); 4 Simon Thomas/ Kate Bannister (Peugeot 306 F2000); 5 Gary Wayne/ Neal Bloor (Impreza); 6 Andy Graham/ Rob Mchenry (Ford Escort Mk2); 7 Tim Mewett/ Liz Jordan (Escort Mk2); 8 Paul Rees/ Paul Briggs (Vauxhall Astra); 9 James Nicholls/ David Allman (Peugeot 205 GTI); 10 Matt Wood/ Rick Musson (Vauxhall Corsa). Class winners: Jessica Robinson/ Simon Sheridan (Nissan Micra); David Mcmullan/ Marc Melhuish (Vauxhall Nova); Wood/ Musson; Thomas/ Bannister; Phil Nagel/ Ian Lowe (Escort Mk2).