There can have been few sporting events taking part over the weekend whose name was more appropriate than the Aldershot-based Michelin South of England Tempest Stages rally.
As gale-force winds lashed the south of England, St. Leonards driver Phil Morgan, accompanied by Wokingham co-driver Martin Douglas, ignored the elements in his 1998-specification Subaru Impreza WRC to win the event for the third year running.
Close behind, after an event-long battle, was the Welsh pair of Julian Reynolds and Ieuan Thomas in their 1995 Group A Impreza. In third place was the Newbury crew of Steve Fleck and Mark Aspinwall (Impreza), whilst fourth, and winners of the Group N category were Will Nicholls / Nick Broom in an Impreza WRX.
Super 1600 winners were the ever-consistent Justin Dale and Andrew Bargery, Justin taking part in his local event and completing his final outing for Peugeot before stepping up to the World Rally Championship. Dale finished in sixth place overall, his front-drive 206 severely handicapped in the slippery conditions against the four-wheel-drive WRC/Group A and Group N machines.
As he climbed out of the car at the final service he was understandably emotional about leaving his friends and colleagues at Peugeot Sport UK. Next year Gary Jennings will take over the vacant works Super 1600 Peugeot seat as his reward for winning this year’s 206 Super Cup.
At the finish in Aldershot town centre, Phil Morgan spoke about his success: ''I’m delighted to be celebrating my third consecutive win. It’s been another well-organised Tempest Stages, and I’m absolutely certain that it’ll be quite capable of holding its own as a full round of next year’s BRC. Some stages were rutted, but not unduly rough. Ash Ranges got this morning off to a challenging start; this afternoon Longmoor was fantastic - very quick and smooth - and I’m sure that the organisers would be able to find more suitable stage mileage if necessary.''
![Tempest Stages Rally winners Phil Morgan and co-driver Martin Douglas [Subaru Impreza WRC]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/45148.jpg )
