Historic Rally win for James & Lloyd

Lloyd leads the chase of Blomqvist

Gareth Lloyd and Ryland James claimed maximum points on round six of the HRCR Classic Stage Rally Challenge as they chased Stig Blomqvist and Ana Goni home on the Trackrod Historic Cup on Saturday.

The Classic Challenge ran alongside the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship for the charge through the high-speed Yorkshire forests and the presence of the former World Champion in the entry list added to an already encouraging Classic field.

Blomqvist/Goni were competing in a Mk2 Escort prepared by Historic Motorsport and this was the Swede's first visit to the Yorkshire forests since 1996. "Well see if we remember the stages when we get there," said Stig before the start in Malton town centre early on Saturday morning.

Once into the forests of Cropton and Gale Rigg, Blomqvist got into the groove and started setting fastest times, but Lloyd/James were never far behind in their West Wales Rally Spares Mk2 Escort. Also right on the early pace were Ernie Graham/Robin Kellard in their Mk1 Escort and by the times the crews returned to Pickering for first service less 20 seconds split the top three crews.

However, while Lloyd/James changed to more suitable tyres for the loop of three Dalby stages, Graham/Kellard went too hard on tyre choice. Allied to a seized brake bias, it cost them a lot of time on the three long stages and at second service Graham was down to third, nearly a minute away from Blomqvist.

"We discovered that we were running on tarmac brake settings, which was giving us a lot of understeer," explained Graham. Now into his stride, Blomqvist flew the final two stages back in Cropton and Gale Rigg to win by 54s from Lloyd/James. "It was good fun; this was just a bit of a test," reckoned Blomqvist after taking victory.

But keeping within a minute of the former World Champion after more than 70 stages miles was a result of which Lloyd/James can be justifiably proud. "We had a good day," reckoned Lloyd. "It's good to compete with people like Stig Blomqvist," he added.

Down in third, Graham/Kellard were left to rue the brake and tyre issues that cost them time, but are now within sight of clinching the title on the final round. A crowd-pleasing performance from Dick Slaughter/Geoff Dearing put their Mk2 Escort into fourth, although they finished the day with a broken exhaust, while father and son crew Mark and Brett Clifford were an excellent fifth on the driver's first rally for 12 years! They also won class D3.

Ian Rix/Frank Richer put their Mk2 Escort into sixth, while second in D3 went to Classic newcomers Robin Morgan/Mike Robinson in their Opel Kadett GTE. Out of luck, however, were Martin Freestone/Chris Heyes with radiator and gearbox problems and Chris Shooter/Beverley Legood with a broken steering arm.

The HRCR Classic Challenge will now be decided on the Bulldog Rally on 23 October. Graham/Kellard have the advantage, but still need a finish to fend off Lloyd/James for the title.