GUNNING FOR THE MN RALLY GLORY
We look ahead to Circuit Rally showdown
The fight for the 2020-21 MN Circuit Rally Championship boils down to its double-header finale at Anglesey this weekend with a series stalwart entering as the firm favourite for overall honours.
It was a season that often looked in danger against the weight of the Covid-19 pandemic. From being “a couple of hours” from cancellation in March, organisers successfully battled to put together a five-round season which, despite challenges, has proved a highly intense campaign.
Darren Spann, series co-ordinator, says: “It’s been quite a year on all fronts, not least for all those that have been directly affected by the pandemic, so planning a championship and rallies seems insignificant in comparison.
The determination to fulfil a championship is nothing short of extraordinary. We, as a rallying community, are truly indebted to the many volunteer organisers who have made this happen.”
It therefore seems fitting that the duo of Mark Kelly and Neil Colman – multiple MNCRC rally winners – are in the driving seat for their first overall title, leading by 23 points thanks to some key improvements all round.
Their switch from older Ford
Escort machinery to a Ford Fiesta
R5, coupled with coaching from British Rally Championship star
Matt Edwards, has allowed Kelly to unleash his known ability in a rally car. Closing in on BRC frontrunners and his ever-improving MN Circuit Rally Championship title rival Frank Bird, it was the third rally of the MN season at Oulton Park which showed Kelly’s increasing determination. He secured a crucial victory while taking the fight to proven names.
Kelly explains: “The Ford Fiesta R5 is a fantastic car and it’s so much fun to drive. I’m privileged to be in this position and to do it in a car like this. We’ve enjoyed the battle.”
Colman adds: “We didn’t know what we expected at the start of the [Oulton] rally. We haven’t got as much experience on gravel but, on circuits, we were matching them time for time.”
Tarmac confidence puts them in good shape for the Anglesey doubleheader, particularly with target man Bird absent due to GT racing commitments in France.
Attention shifts to Kevin Procter to give chase in the Ford Fiesta freight train, sitting 33 points adrift but with two rallies and 120 points to play for. Reliability is key for the title fighters, while the unpredictable weather also plays its role whenever the series visits the Welsh coast.
Procter’s best result of fourth this season could arguably have been improved to second in the Neil Howard Stages most recently if not for a late delay, meaning he will want to apply pressure and hope the cards to fall in his direction.
He and the Fiesta duo of Andy
Scott and last year’sAnglesey runnerup Rob Hughes will add fuel to the fire in the weekend double, as will the similar car of Charles Payne, who has been highly consistent all season to climb to fourth in the points.
Hughes and local co-driver Sion Cunniff enjoy the trip to Wales, and a strong showing could help them trim the 50-point cushion standing in their way of a possible maiden title. The man who denied them a famous win last year at the same venue is also among the entry list for the second time this season; last year’s overall MNCRC champion Barry Morris cannot be counted out of causing an upset in the season finale and made his long-awaited return to the championship at Oulton Park. He used that event to bed himself back into the fray in the Darrian GTR and should be fully up to speed in North Wales.
Two podium visits for Kelly will ensure the series leader fends off his biggest contenders for overall title glory. However, many of those theoretically chasing are from other classes.
Heading the charge – and looking to ironically undo Kelly’s hard work in his previous choice of machinery – is the lead Class C contingent,
Josh Payton. The Ford Escort Mk2 driver has been a giant-killer in older machinery and dominant in the class, so will hope to take advantage of any slip-ups for those at the helm of the order.
The leaders of Class D, B and A have also carved their way into contention, albeit as outsiders looking to leap on any misfortune for the Fiestas over the two days. Chris Ruck and David Henderson are in-form class favourites, while a full season for Christopher Newton puts his Vauxhall Nova right in the fight should he complete a clean sweep.
The Scottish contingent is bolstered by the Skodaru of Drew Gallagher, while further R5 challengers include Graham Coffey – who enters his second rally of the season with an unconfirmed co-driver – and Mike Taylor, bringing his Lotus Talbot Sunbeam back to the stages.
Former champion Chris West will continue to gather knowledge of his still-developing Porsche 997 GT3, a prominent rally project that requires mileage before its post-season development takes shape. ◼