RALLYING ROUND-UP: BY IAN MILLS
Andy Davies/Max Freeman dominated the KLMC Targa Rally on May 22 in their Subaru Impreza. They took fastest time on the first test and were never headed for the rest of the day.
Kirkby Lonsdale MC had laid out 18 tests at four different venues, with the event being based at the spacious Cockermouth Auction
Mart. The club had managed to attract a heavily oversubscribed and cosmopolitan entry, with 67 crews taking the start.
Davies/Freeman had built up a lead of over a minute by the halfway point, but then had their advantage cut slightly as they picked up three test faults on the next two tests. However, fastest time on three more tests ensured that they finished a minute and a half ahead of the field.
In contrast there was a close battle for second place between Owen Turner/Rachel Vestey and John Davies/Nick Bloxham.
Turner held the advantage initially, but, as two crews traded seconds on each test, it was Davies who came through to take the runner-up spot, with Turner six seconds behind.
Howard Price/Baz Green had been second quickest on the first test, just two seconds behind Davies/Freeman. Unfortunately, their Impreza ground to a halt on Test 4 with transmission problems.
Results
KLMC Targa Rally Organiser: Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club Date: May 22 Where: Cumbria Championships: ANWCC Tests: 18 Starters: 67. 1 Andy Davies/Max Freeman (Subaru Impreza) 39m 37s; 2 John Davies/Nick Bloxham (Ford Puma) +1m 29s; 3 Owen Turner/Rachel Vestey (MZ ZR); 4 Rob Cotton/ Niall Frost (Impreza); 5 Danny Cowell/Phil Boyle (Impreza); 6 Louis Barnes/James Swallow (Peugeot 106); 7 Matt Flynn/Rob Bryn Jones (Impreza); 8 Steve Retchless/ Sasha Heriot (Ford Escort); 9 Paul Morgan/ Sam Stafford (Honda Civic); 10 Huw Morris/ Richard Crozier (Ford Focus).
Class winners: H1: Graeme Cornthwaite/ Marcus Pomfret (Mini); H2: John Haygarth/ Bob Hargreaves (Opel Kadett); H3: Luke Tait/ Josh Davison (Ford Escort); H4: Alex Willan/ Glenn Fothergill (BMW E30); M5: Davies/ Bloxham; E6: Jack Morton/Essi Salonen (106); N7: Tomos Parry/Sion Matthews (Vauxhall Nova).