The wintry weather in the week leading up to the event caused no upset on the day, although a bitterly cold & strong wind whipped across the circuit conditions remained dry throughout. In the absence of last year’s victor Russ Swift, it was John and Lynn Haygarth (Opel Kadett) who were first on the road.
The regularity sections were spread across 3 maps and took the competitors via road rally staples such as the “Eryholme loop”, Moulton, “The Cowton’s” and across into Richmondshire.
Many crews praised the extensive use of the track and access roads including the loose surface rallycross loop which allowed the cars to be opened up before having to negotiate tight slaloms, gates and 360 degree turns.
The rally was won by John Ruddock/ John Heppell in a Ford Escort, also in an Escort were the winners of the “tests” section of the rally Andy Beaumont/ Ian Gibbins, who were fast, neat and also spectacular, entertaining spectators all day with controlled power slides. Charles Graves/ Ron Palmer took the regularity section in their Jaguar XK150. Ruddock finished ahead of his brother David and navigator Kevin Carruthers who claimed third place in a Mini.
Maurice Jennings & Richard Adams were the first home of three crews from the organising club, deftly piloting a rare 1959 MG Magnette into eighth place overall.
Peter Keen & Jayne Barbour struggled all day against a leaky inlet manifold leaving them to drive the tests by the choke, but they made it to the finish in their Austin A40.
“Spirit of the rally” went to Adrian Stewart and Tom Hind (Austin Cooper) who braved the long journey from Aberdeen despite the recent snow north of the border. They also took second place in class H2.
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