GOLF DUO TEE OFF WITH A VICTORY
The East Anglian Classic Rally
Organiser: Chelmsford Motor Club When: June 29 Where: East Anglia Starters: 42.
Richard Isherwood and Ali Procter took a hard-fought victory in their Volkswagen Golf GTI on the East Anglian Classic Rally, winning by three seconds from Clive and Anji Martin (Ford Escort 1600 Sport), with Harvey Steele and Martin Pitt a further second back in their Volvo 140.
Crews were given much of the route one hour before starting. Steve Johnson/henry Carr (Ford Escort RS) led the field away at 0900hrs and they were straight into a relatively easy-toplot regularity section, which was won by Dave Leadbetter/ Cath Woodman (BMW 2002) from Gareth Hockridge/rob Henchoz (Volvo Amazon 121S).
Guest driver in the Motorsport News car, Martin Donnelly, was unlucky to puncture after just two controls and, with no pit crew and a jack drama, the crew lost five minutes.
Two tests at Thorpe Abbotts airfield followed with Isherwood/procter taking the fastest time, one second better than Martyn Taylor/
Amy Henchoz (Astra).
A short regulation using map references to the east of the airfield was won by the Volvo of Hockridge/henchoz, one second better than Steele/pitt.
The rally then moved back to Thorpe Abbotts for three more tests. James Griffiths/john Pearce (Mini 1275GT) were fastest from the Mini Cooper S of John Peterson/ian Graham.
The Porsche 911 of Paul Hernaman/crow retired here losing the electrics.
A final morning regulation was won by Isherwood/procter and heralded the lunch halt.
The top three at lunch were Isherwood/procter from Taylor/ Henchoz and Steele/pitt.
A regulation D (using junctions and map features) was won by Isherwood/procter from Taylor/ Henchoz and that brought crews to two exciting parts of the rally.
Firstly they tackled the Larkshall tests, where Peterson/ Graham (Mini) just beat the Escorts, and then Wretham
Park. Although it was shorter than originally planned, it gave crews a chance to enjoy the loose surface. Griffiths/pearce’s Mini took fastest from Steele/pitt.
The next regulation was won by Hockeridge/henchoz.
In Wretham second time round, Steele/pitt clipped 13 seconds off their earlier effort to take fastest time.
It was followed by a short regulation on private land, and a few crews wondered if the start was in the exact location shown, which meant a number took penalties for early arrival.
The final flourish to a very entertaining rally was a plot ‘n’ bash regulation from Thetford down to Bury St Edmonds, where Hockridge/ Henchoz prevailed.
Results
East Anglian Classic Rally
1 Richard Isherwood/ali Procter (VW Golf GTI) 1334 marks; 2 Clive Martin/anji Martin (Escort 1600sport) 1337 marks; 3 Harvey Steele/martin Pitt (Volvo 140); 4 Gareth Hockridge/rob Henchoz (Volvo 121S);
5 Pete Johnson/roger Bricknell (Golf GTI); 6 Dave Leadbetter/cath Woodman (BMW 2002); 7 James Griffiths/john Pearce (Mini 1275GT); 8 Steve Johnson/henry Carr (Escort RS); 9 John Peterson/ Ian Graham (Mini Cooper S); 10 Ken Binstead/ Sarah Binstead (MGB).
Classes: Expert: Martin/martin (Escort 1600GT); Novice: Binstead/binstead (MGB); Beginners:
Clifton/clifton (Saab).