Saturday was literally the ‘lull before the storm’, the main topic of conversation in the central Pegasus Village service area being what the weathermen were threatening for the next day. In warm (OK – warm-ish) sunshine, the 59 competitors in the main event left the Saturday lunchtime Aldershot town centre starting ramp and headed for the 1.9-mile spectator stage at the military-owned Rushmoor Arena. This in fact is a superb location for promoting rallying to a wider British audience. Just over the road form central service, the Arena – as the name suggests – is a natural amphitheatre, with acres of space for a rally show as well as vantage spots where spectators can watch the competing cars in action whilst enjoying the facilities. This must be an ideal way forward for the sport.
Throughout Saturday, Phil Morgan set the pace, with Julian Reynolds snapping at his heels. They returned to parc fermé just over 22 seconds apart, with Guy Anderson leading Group N, and Justin Dale leading the 1600 category from Ryan Champion by over a minute and a half. Poor
Mark Blundell had retired his MG on the day’s last stage with transmission problems after another typically spirited drive (does he know any other way?), and Rory Galligan was sidelined with no oil pressure whilst in a comfortable second in 1600, just behind Dale. Latvala once again experienced the bad luck that put him out of the Trackrod, retiring with a broken centre differential. Both Latvala and Blundell were, however, allowed to take part in Sunday’s Clubmans event, which the Finn won in some style.
True to the usual ‘weather warnings’ beloved by the meteorological office, the forecast gales got steadily worse throughout Saturday night, and by the 7.30am Sunday morning start of Leg 2, anything not tethered down had disappeared in the direction of Canary Wharf.
![Tempest Stages Rally winners Phil Morgan and co-driver Martin Douglas [Subaru Impreza WRC]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/45148.jpg )
