JERSEY was very well represented at the Bovington Challenger Stages Rally, with teams taking 2nd overall and two class wins following two days of fierce competition at Dorset’s popular MOD venue rally.
Darryl Morris & Steve Gully, seeded at 4, were fighting for the lead from the start, with only a high speed spin on the Saturday stopping them from being overnight leaders. The Morris Marine & Motors Skoda R5 took two stage wins on Saturday and then 5 stage wins on Sunday to finish just 13 seconds behind the winners. Morris drove with determination against several top national drivers and his finish position completes a very successful season.
Seeding committees have a hard task and two JMC&LCC crews in particular certainly exceeded all expectations. A noteworthy performance by Tim Alderson & Goretie Luis in the 2 litre Escort used in Jersey Rally as they stormed into sixth place overnight from seeding 19 and completed the event on fifth overall – nearly a minute ahead of 6th place to win their class.
From a seeding of 77 to a final 9th overall position and 3rd in class– a stellar drive by Dave Truscott & Andy Simpson in the “old school” AAL Recycling Escort. A jump of 68 places is no mean feat in such a competitive environment.
Jersey’s other class winners were Thomas White & Josh Morris in their powerful 4WD Subaru Impreza, completing the event in 16th overall and adding to wins at several of the modest single venue events in Jersey this year.
Rallying often presents many challenges as endurance is key and Harry Torpy & James Renouf faced some issues on the Saturday which their family team solved , enabling them to continue on Sunday to 31st overall and the award for “Best Channel Islands Crew” in the Medicann Fiesta ST, a worthy reward after a trying first day.
BMW was the marque favoured by Ross Baudains with fellow driver Sam Simon alongside to guide him. The combination proved successful with 36th overall. Paul Carre & Zak Simpson certainly enjoyed their first English rally, the most of the 12 tests over 2 days over the MOD ranges at Bovington, a completely different experience to their first Jersey Rally in October. Carre was delighted to complete the event and take 52nd against his seeding of 88. Carre will be looking forward to his next English rally in just under 3 weeks.
Sadly there was one retirement – Josh Torpy with English co-driver Harry Nichols in the powerful Millington-engined BMW, one of some 18 teams who did not make it to the chequered flag.
Organisers Bournemouth & District Car Club also relied on several Jersey volunteers in official roles, part of the growing partnership with the Island, which stretches back some 40 years. Volunteers who travelled with the rally teams officiated as the Event Steward, the Stage Commander, Deputy Stage Commander, Timekeepers and Competitor Liaison Officer, sharing knowledge and gaining valuable experience.
