Rally UK » Perez powers to Quinton win.

Monday, 7th July 2008

Steve Perez wins the Quinton Stages Rally in his Ford.

Previous Page

» Post a comment on this Story

Comment on this Story

Contenders for ‘two-wheel drive' honours were joined on the Quinton Stages by a number of ‘Historic' cars fighting for an additional award presented by the Classic Motorshow. In the event, it was the ‘Classic' Ford Escort MkII of Terry Brown and Arwel Jenkins who showed the others a clean pair of heels. Frank Kelly and Aidan Friel were the top BTRDA Silver Star Championship finishers in their particular Escort, just six seconds in front of Seamus O'Connell and Paul Williams after 44 miles of special stages. The second ‘Historic' Escort, driven by Paul Griffiths and Sam Collis was next, a mere five seconds in arrears.

Neil Weaver, co-driven by Mike Scrimgour, took a convincing win in the 1400cc category – the former champion brought his Vauxhall Nova home over a minute ahead of the Proton Satria of Darren Pinchin and Rob Leigh. Although there are still three rounds to run, yet another good result from Pinchin/Leigh puts them in prime position for this year's BTRDA 1400 Championship crown.

Suzuki Ignis driver Graham Middleton, who was hoping to add the 1400 crown to his BTRDA Gold & Silver Star titles this year, suffered his third consecutive retirement and now faces an uphill struggle if he is to achieve his aim.

The Rally First category, pioneered by the Quinton Stages Rally last year and once again supported by Nicky Grist Motorsports, was won by David Bennett and Alastair McNeil in their Vauxhall Corsa. A special ‘Andreas Mikkelsen' award presented in honour of the 2006 Quinton Stages winner and nominated by Nicky Grist himself, went to brothers James and Simon McLean who were contesting their first-ever stage rally.

The rally was held on a day interrupted by heavy rain showers, making the going particularly treacherous on occasions. Caution obviously proved to be the better part of valour as the list of retirements was shorter than could normally be expected on an event of this calibre.