Grizedale Forest, in the heart of the Lake District was the idyllic scene for a shock maiden Rally victory for Team Penguin's Steve Head and Andrew Dugdale – by just four seconds.

Over 100 crews had set off from Coniston in search of victory, but it was Carnforth's Steve Head and Co-driver Andrew Dugdale of Penrith, that stamped their authority on the event. Taking the lead after just the second stage, the pair pushed the opposition to the limit as the crews tackled 50 miles over forest tracks on the classic 'Grizzly Grizedale' stage.

Driving the Teng Tools backed Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3, Head caught the newer Evo 6 of Ben Briant on the opening stage. “I knew we had done a good time”, said Head at the stage finish. “When we got near the end of the stage I saw Ben and knew I had to concentrate on the road and not get distracted by watching him.”

The 'Grizzly Grizedale' lived up to its name as many of the fancied crews began falling off the road, producing a high rate of attrition. “We just found a pace we were happy with”, commented Head. “The stages really suited my style and although the car wasn't the fastest out there today, we managed to get round in one piece”.

Going into the final stage of the day (ST6), Head trailed the World Rally Car of Steve Petch by just four seconds and was tied in second place with John Thompson, winner of the rally for the last two years.

“There was no way we were going to keep up with the power of a World Rally Car, but the pressure must have got to Petch. He slid wide into a ditch on a tight left-hander about two miles from the finish. When Andrew checked Thompson's time on the finish line I didn't believe that we had won the rally”.

Steve was left in shock at winning his first rally by just four seconds. “It hasn't sunk in at all”, commented Dugdale at the finish. “We've won our class a few times, but winning overall is something special, it's been a fantastic way to end the year and get over the disappointment of not winning The Roger Clark Award”.

The result goes to prove that the judges of The Roger Clark Award were right to recognise Head's potential as a winner. “The win was best way to thank all our local supporters for backing us in 2000. In particular we'd like to thank Ensign and Trinet of Kendal for our web site,” commented Head at the finish in Coniston.

Other local crews on the Grizedale Stages Rally included Penrith's Paul Bird who finished in ninth place, almost four minutes slower than Head, in a Subaru Impreza.

The 'Spirit of the Rally' Award went to Chris Huddleston of Windermere who was second in class for cars up to 1400cc in an ex-Steve Head Skoda. The award was in recognition of all the hard work Chris had done for the rally as an organiser over the past 10 years.


Grizedale Stages Rally – Top 10

1. Steve Head/Andrew Dugdale (Class 4) 50mins 56secs
2. John Thompson/Ian Oakey (Class 4) 51mins 00secs
3. David Higgins/Chris Wood (Class 2) 52mins 19secs
4. D. Shuttleworth/S. Perie (Class 4) 52mins 03secs
5. Phil Burton/Nick Fallows (Class 3) 52mins 46secs
6. Alan Barr/Ken Bills (Class 4) 53mins 09secs
7. Paul Benn/Richard Cooke (Class 4) 53mins 38secs
8. Chris Bown/Roger Bown (Class 3) 54mins 08secs
9. Paul Bird/Larry Carter (Class 4) 54mins 41secs
10. Andrew Kenny/Gary Kenny (Class 4) 54mins 05secs

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