FORD KA MASTERS EXMOOR TARGA AS THE LANES PREVAIL

A nimble Ford Ka proved to be the perfect steed for Keith and Martin Lane to take a win in slippery conditions on the Exmoor Targa.

The 69 starters faced 12 tests: eight in the Croydon Hill Wood and a further four on the Porlock Toll Road. Heavy overnight rain, which cleared shortly after the start, made the going treacherous and no-one survived the rally without picking up at least one test penalty. A total of 523 were awarded during the day.

Pre-event favourites, Ethan Davies and Jamie Woolley, were fastest on the first test and had extended their lead to 50 seconds by the end of the third. But on the fourth their gearbox began to fail and they were out.

Pat Thomas/James Aldridge were quickest up the first run up the Toll Road and took the lead, as challengers Elliott Sharp/Michael Spicer incurred a line fault at the test finish.

Thomas/Aldridge arrived at the lunch halt with a lead of 49s, but they were to retire on the second visit to Croydon when their Escort broke a strut.

Lane/Lane, who had been in second place at lunch, now moved into a lead that they weren’t to lose. They were fastest on three of the six afternoon tests and finished 48s ahead of Lucas Redwood/ Zak Linham.

Results

Exmoor Targa Rally

Organiser: Tavern Motor Club, Burnham-on-Sea Motor Club & Minehead Motor Club When: October 29 Where: Exmoor Championships: ASWMC Tests: 12 (40 test miles) Starters: 69.

1 Keith Lane/Martin Lane (Ford Ka) 93m50s; 2 Lucas Redwood/Zak Linham (Ford Sierra) +48s; 3 Lewis Ayris/Simon Lassam (MG ZR); 4 Elliott Sharp/Michael Spicer (MG ZR); 5 Mike Raymond/Jamie Raymond (Ford Escort); 6 Simon Ayris/ Robert Hall (MG ZR); 7 Chris White/ Jason Harris (Ford Escort); 8 Tom Jefferis/Will Jefferis (Ford Escort); 9 Robert Fields/Andy Fields (Toyota MR2); 10 Steve Burles/T illy Burles (Rover 25). Class winners: Ayris/Hall; Raymond/Raymond; Harvey Heal/ Abbey Heal (Mini Cooper).