Black leads the BTRDA class winners in 2019 season
Former Gold Star driver Callum Black celebrated his full-time return to the BTRDA in fine style by taking his MG ZR to the 1400 title.
Black and co-driver Michael Gilbey missed the opening round on the Cambrian, but with only the five best results counting, they hit the ground running on the treacherous
Malcolm Wilson.
Further class wins on the Rallynuts and Plains plus third on the Nicky Grist put them within touching distance of the title, which they duly wrapped up on the Woodpecker with their fourth winof the year.
Despite winning all but one event, Zak Hughes was pushed all the way by Bobby Mitchell in the ST Trophy. Mitchell, while often not a match for Hughes on pure pace, kept in touch by finishing second on the Cambrian, Rallynuts and the Plains. It meant that when Hughes retired from the Nicky Grist with suspension damage, the pressure was very much on as Mitchell won.
But with Mitchell missing the Woodpecker, it meant Hughes merely had to finish to secure the title.
Thanks to his sensational Silver Star form, George Lepley took the Historic crown. His nearest rival in the class was David Gathercole, who took his Ford Escort RS 1600 Mk1 to its only outright victory on the Woodpecker, beating Philip Clarke’s 1800 Escort by over oneand-a-half minutes.
The Production Cup rivalry between Pat Naylor and Scott Faulkner was one of the highlights of the season, with the pair split by just two points at the end of the season – in Faulkner and co-driver Gareth Parry’s favour.
Naylor and Ian Lawrence won the opening round before Faulkner swept the next three on the bounce. Naylor then won back-to-back events on the Nicky Grist and Woodpecker, with the title being decided with Faulkner’s win on the Trackrod as Naylor retired on the final stage.