CLASS ROUND-UP
Mechanical gremlins left Paul Sheard’s latest win in Class B in doubt for much of the rally.
The greasy opening two stages caught out the Mazda MX-5 driver on several occasions, handing a comfortable advantage to Abi Mahmood in a Suzuki Swift, now utilising gear ratios adapted for Tarmac rallies.
The Suzuki’s run would be halted by mechanical issues of its own when engine mount problems caused its retirement, having run as high as 15th overall. Sheard crawled home for overall class spoils and maximum MN points.
“We almost didn’t make that one,” said Sheard. “I considered taking a maximum stage time at the end but you want to carry on. We don’t know the problem yet, but we got the job done again – somehow!”
Sheard’s team-mate Steve Dolman crashed his MX-5 into a concrete block exiting a tight hairpin, while Ashleigh Morris was hindered by a broken gearbox mount in her Ford Fiesta.
Snetterton has often been kind to Mark and Matt Blackmore, the pair sealing a fine victory in Class A. The Vauxhall Corsa duo held the lead from the start, and finished over two minutes clear of nearest rival, Dale Lawson, in 17th overall.
Second was enough for Lawson to seal maximum MN points and close the gap to Craig Aston – who finished fifth – in Class A, his MG ZR benefitting from a new Metro engine previously used for hillclimb events.
Joshua Davey returned in style to grab Class C honours for the repaired Darrian T90.
Relieved to finish the rally after engine and misfire problems kept him out of action for over a year, Davey beat the Ford Escorts of Robin Adams and the returning Aaron Rix to also take maximum MN points in the class.
No longer racing in his mother’s Ford Ka, Rix enjoyed a maiden run in his father’s Ford Escort Mk1. “It’s a very different beast,” he said. “It flows much better, but at the start I was actually quite nervous. It’s a beast, but such a fun car.”
Steve Finch and Sam Fordham may have missed out on third overall, but the Ford Fiesta R5 comfortably won Class E ahead of Anthony Robinson’s Proton Satria Millington. Maximum MN points went to the venerable Audi quattro of Ray Read in third, entered for the remainder of the season.
Chris West and Keith Hounslow’s unbeaten Class D form continued thanks to a third consecutive overall victory.