CLASS ROUND-UP
Orr’s issues
Stanley Orr and Graham Henderson were convincing winners with only a loose bonnet pin and a vibration in the car in the middle loop to report, along with no reverse gear at one point. “The plan was to get a strong start and manage the event from there,” said Orr. “We had no real dramas, and it was a very tough but enjoyable rally, very compact. With the loss of reverse gear I had to be careful as I couldn’t afford an overshoot!”
Price’s escape
There was a lucky escape for Joe Price and Chris Brooks on the second stage, but this didn’t stop the pair taking home valuable points. “We started well, happy with the pace on the opening stage, but lost six minutes in a field on the second one,” said Price. “The plan was to stay out of trouble for the rest of the day, which we did. It was a very enjoyable rally.”
Cautious start
Adrian Hetherington and Ronan O’neill took the runnerup spot, despite starting slowly. “I was too cautious on the opening loop and it allowed Stanley to get away,” admitted Hetherington. “It was my first time driving a BDA on Tarmac, we did change the gearbox and had some brake issues but nothing major, it was a good day overall.”
Toughest rally
Simon Webster and Jez
Rogers took third place despite having no previous experience of the Ulster stages. “It was the toughest rally I’ve ever done and I’ve been feeling ill all day,” said Webster. “It’s a whole new ball game coming over here taking on Stanley and Adrian, but happy to get the points.” Webster added he doesn’t have the same confidence on Tarmac as on gravel which meant he didn’t want to overcommit and said that forestry is definitely his preference.
Wrong call
Rudi Lancaster and Guy Weaver took fourth place with Lancaster stating “we put wets on the front for the opening loop which was a mistake as the roads were mostly dry, bar some odd slippy patches”. He added: “The brakes also needed bleeding and some overshoots were experienced. The learning curve is steep for Tarmac but we got closer as the day went on. This event and the Red Kite are my two favourite rounds of the year to date. The welcome and organisation was wonderful.”