BUCKLEY ROLLS BACK THE YEARS FOR VICTORY
Dom Buckley and Doug Redpath took victory on the Knockhill Stages on Buckley’s first competitive rally for 15 years.
Buckley was delighted with the result as they won by just eight seconds at the end of 10 special stages on and around the race circuit. Their Citroen C3 Rally2 was fastest over the three opening stages, establishing a leading margin they would hold all the way to the finish.
Neil Roskell and Andrew Roughead were using the event to gain seat time in their newly acquired Ford Fiesta Rally2. After a slow start they began to make inroads on Buckley’s lead. They closed to within four seconds before a spin and double stall on stage nine stopped their momentum. Roskell was happy with the new car but annoyed with himself at the finish.
Dale Robertson and Harry Marchbank took third in their
Fiesta Rally2, with Robertson getting some time back in a car before he mounts his annual assault on the Jim Clark Rally.
Alan Kirkaldy had Junior 1000 standout Rian Walker in the co-driver’s seat of his Ford Escort Mk2. A couple of moments early on as Alan adapted back to rearwheel-drive they took top two-wheel drive honours, 18s down on Robertson’s Fiesta in a strong fourth place.
Barry Groundwater and Sean Donnelly entertained the spectators in the slippery morning conditions. The Mitsubishi Lancer E6 was backwards on the grass at the hairpin on stage two, but once Groundwater had calmed down they were able to climb back up the ranks to fifth at the finish.
Sixth-placed Des Campbell had his son Dominic co-driving for him for the first time in his Peugeot 206. Campbell senior described the weather as perfect for the 206 and it was another strong performance.
Results
Knockhill Stages Where: Knockhill Racing Circuit, Fife Organiser: Border Ecosse Car Club When: February 19 Championships: Scottish Single Venue Rally Championship, Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship, Border Ecosse CC Championship, Back to Roots Tarmac Championship Stages: 10 Starters: 47
1 Dom Buckley/Doug Redpath (Citroen C3 Rally 2) 49m21s; 2 Neil Roskell/Andrew Roughead (Ford Fiesta Rally2) +8s; 3 Dale Robertson/Harry Marchbank (Ford Fiesta Rally2); 4 Alan Kirkaldy/ Rian Walker (Ford Escort Mk2); 5 Barry Groundwater/Sean Donnelly (Mitsubishi Lancer E6); 6 Des Campbell/Dominic Campbell (Peugeot 206); 7 Stuart Irvine/Marc Irvine (Hyundai i20 R5); 8 Andrew Forbes/Alex Hill (Mitsubishi Lancer E6); 9 Kieran Renton/Kirsty Macnie (Ford Fiesta Rally4); 10 Ben MacDowall/ Alison Horne (BMW 130i). Class winners: Christopher Smith/Amy McCubbin (Vauxhall Corsa); Campbell/Campbell; Renton/Macnie; Kirkaldy/Walker; Buckley/Redpath.