‘Subaru pair win in M-sport’s forest’
Subaru pairing dominate map-based event amid dusty conditions
Organiser: West Cumbria Motorsport Club When: July 8 Where: Greystoke Forest, Nr Penrith Championships: ANECCC; ANCC; ANWCC; NHRC Stages: 5 Starters: 53.
Leading the event from start to finish, Gary Tomlinson and Simon Pickard became the only driver and co-driver to claim multiple wins in the Greystoke Stages Rally’s 10-year history, bringing their Subaru Impreza home almost a minute clear of the field.
Tomlinson’s previous success came in 2014 while Pickard first put his name on the winner’s role of honour two years later, and they put their combined knowledge of how to succeed here to the best possible use. With an absence of any notes, the event places the co-driver under added pressure with map reading skills being tested to the full, but Pickford coped admirably.
With top seeds Steven Clark and Paul Gribben forced to withdraw their Mitsubishi Lancer E4 with last minute mechanical issues, Tomlinson had the advantage of running first on the road in what were exceptionally dusty conditions. Indeed, following the passage of the first 20 or more cars through the opening stage, rally organisers elected to increase the start gaps from 60 to 90 seconds on safety grounds. The effect that had on the rally timing resulted in the cancellation of stage six.
Only Tomlinson set a sub seven-minute time through the opening six-miler as he stopped the clocks 16 seconds up on the Ford Escort Mk2 of Matthew Robinson and Kirsty Beckwith. Completing a top three that would remain intact to the finish was Stuart Egglestone and Brian Hodgson’s similar car, a further eight seconds adrift.
More Escort Mk2s followed with Iain Wilson and Chris Williams holding fourth and Steve Bannister and Dave Robson completing the top five. Wilson was then the subject of a major second stage accident when the car slipped into a ditch before rolling four times. Fortunately, the crew escaped without serious injury but the same couldn’t be said of the car. As a result, Bannister moved up the order taking a fourth place he wouldn’t let go of.
Nick Dobson and Phil Sandham then edged their Escort Mk2 into fifth place, a position they would retain until the final stage when they slipped behind Michael Glendinning and Charley Sayer-payne’s Subaru Impreza.
Nigel Worswick and Rebecca Kirsch started well, holding seventh place following the opening stage in their Escort Mk2. They then dropped almost four minutes on stage two when the car stalled at the hairpin and required a push-start from the marshals before they could get on their way.
A quartet of cars then fought over the remaining top 10 places with Martin Craik and Richard Wardle’s Impreza ultimately taking seventh spot. Despite their Impreza being down on power Dan Mennell and Heather Grisedale looked to be on course for eighth place before the problem worsened and they retired on the final stage.
Marcus and Helen Noble had to complete most of stage four with the driver holding his door closed but once that issue was resolved they brought their Escort Mk2 home in eighth place.
Despite being slowed on stage one where Daniel Horns and Chris Purvis put their Impreza off, Barry Lindsay and Caroline Lodge brought their Class 2 winning 1400cc Peugeot 206 home ninth. Class 4 winners Timo Kennish and Diane Tal completed the top 10 in their BMW M3 Compact. Result
1 Gary Tomlinson/ Simon Pickard (Subaru Impreza) 33m54s; 2 Matthew Robinson / Kirsty Beckwith (Ford Escort Mk2) +52s; 3 Stuart Egglestone/ Brian Hodgson (Ford Escort Mk2); 4 Steve Bannister/ Dave Robson (Escort Mk2); 5 Michael Glendinning/ Charley Sayer-payne (Subaru Impreza); 6 Nick Dobson/ Phil Sandham (Escort Mk2); 7 Martin Craik/ Richard Wardle (Subaru Impreza); 8 Marcus Noble/ Helen Noble (Escort Mk2); 9 Barry Lindsay/ Caroline Lodge (Peugeot 206); 10 Timo Kennish/ Diane Tal (BMW M3 Compact).
Class winners: Andrew Chandler/ Richard Chandler (Ford Escort Mk2); Lindsay/ Lodge; Bannister/ Robson; Kennish/tal; Glendinning/ Sayer-payne.