Currie wins in the Isle of Man
MULL’S Alasdair Currie, 18, and co- driver Steven Brown, 31, dominated the 1600cc class on the recent Manx Challenge Rally, May 6-7, to a three-minute win.
Currie and Brown decided to take on the famous Manx Rally as part of their season of competing in selected national events, aiming to show potential and gain experience. This was the first time Currie had returned to the island since pass- ing his driving test in August 2014 at 16 years of age.
Currie said: ‘I have always wanted to return and rally the fast and technical Manx roads. A finish is what we set out for and that’s exactly what we achieved.’
The team suffered from electrical and fuelling issues, which resulted in major power loss throughout the rally (turning the car off/on 20 times per stage).
However, the youngster was determined to do what was possible with what he had and still came away with a class win.
Currie said: ‘I’m over the moon to come away with a win, on what was a very tricky and exhausting rally for me. The stages were phenomenal; Steven and I have learnt so much and we will come away from this with plenty of positives. The car is undamaged, we will cure our mechanical issue and be back out to battle soon.’
Oban’s Stewart Morrison and co- driver Sandy Corrigan piloted their Escort MkII to a very impressive 11th place overall in the ultra competitive national section of the event.
They were up against the likes of WRC cars which, up until recently, were competing with world champions at the wheel.
They also secured second place in Class B11. They are hoping they can get that elusive top 10 place soon. Alister MacArthur and Chris Robertson from Lochgilphead continued the season in the MR Motorsport Talbot Sunbeam with a good run over the weekend.
Some issues on stage three, when they lost the exhaust back box and clutch cable at almost exactly the same time, nearly spelt disaster but due to their dogged determination to get the car to the finish, not to mention the kindness of a spectator who returned the offending item of exhaust system to service for them, they got the car through to second place in Class B11 in the challenge section of the rally and 33rd overall from a start number of 70.