Farrar is sick as he hands late victory to Roberts/williams pair
Organiser: Pendle & District MC; Garstang & Preston MC When: September 23 Where: Weeton Camp, nr Blackpool Championships: ANWCC; ANCC; SD34. Stages: 12 Starters: 37
Eric Roberts and Merfyn Williams took what proved to be an emphatic victory, bringing their Ford Escort Mk2 home 46 seconds ahead of the Subaru Impreza of early leaders Martin Farrar and co-driver Andy Ward.
Farrar had been quickest through the first stage before Peter Jackson and Craig Simkiss edged their Escort Mk2 ahead after stage two.
Jackson’s lead was shortlived though as he retired on the following test when the clutch exploded, handing pole position back to Farrar. The Subaru pilot looked to be on course for victory but towards the end of stage 10 he became violently sick, handing Roberts the lead he wasn’t to relinquish.
Despite his increasing discomfort, Farrar completed the final two tests to finish second ahead of Brandon Smith and Dylan Thomas, who suffered a sticking throttle issue with their Darrian T90 GTR. James and Chris Ford steered their immaculate new Escort Mk2 home fourth ahead of Dave Hornbrook and Ann Forster’s Mitsubishi Lancer E4 that had a recurring issue with its tyre valves melting.
Steve Harvey and Nick Colman finished sixth in their Impreza, a position they held for most of the day.
Despite a last stage misfire Chris Mccallum and Stephen Clark brought their Escort Mk2 home seventh ahead of Gareth Hooper and Sam Bilham’s Opel Manta 400R. Darren Martin and John Deegan rounded out the top 10.