Maiden win at last for Tilburn duo

Organisers: Chelmsford Motor Club When: September 8 Where: MDGPA Wethersfield,

Essex Championships: AEMC/ASEMC Stages: 6 Starters: 51.

After coming close to victory several times, Ford Escort Mk2 pairing Stephen and Jack Tilburn finally took their first win at the Wethersfield Stages, beating Mark Jasper/don Whyatt (Escort Mk2) by 28 seconds in a reverse of last year’s result.

Wethersfield’s fast, open stages created a frantic early pace, as Tilburn took a 10s lead over

Andy Fraser/alan Jones (Darrian T90) with Ross Daniels/dennis Suttenwood (Subaru Impreza) two seconds further back.

Unfazed at having competed at the Three Shires Stages the previous day, Fraser mounted a sustained attack on SS2 and SS3, snatching a 3s lead. But his luck ran out on the next test, retiring with broken steering.

Tilburn’s car remained trouble-free and he made full use of its reliability, setting two fastest times on SS5 and SS6 to seal victory.

Second-placed Jasper drove consistently early on, settling into fourth before setting fastest time on SS4 to overhaul Daniels. His Escort also remained mechanically trouble-free but he could not catch Tilburn in the closing miles. Daniels scrapped hard with Robin Adams/ray Keith (Escort Mk2) all day, and despite slowing – dropping

18s to Tilburn on SS5 and SS6 – he claimed third from Adams by 5s.

Results

1 Stephen/jack Tilburn (Ford Escort Mk2) 58m20s; 2 Mark Jasper/don Whyatt (Escort Mk2) +28s; 3 Ross Daniels/dennis Suttenwood (Subaru Impreza); 4 Robin Adams/ray Keith (Escort Mk2); 5 Dean Long/jonathan Barrett (Impreza); 6 Stuart Delf/brian Marquis (Ford Fiesta); 7 Roland/stuart Brown (Escort Mk1); 8 Christopher/anthony Newton (Vauxhall Nova); 9 Ryan Mone/stephen Mcnulty (Impreza); 10 Ross/connor Wey (Peugeot 205).

Class winners: Newton/newton; Mark Peterson/laura Christmas (Citroen C2); Adams/ Keith; Jasper/whyatt; Daniels/suttenwood.