Big Bangs and Hard Day on the Brakes

HRCR Mintex ‘old STAGER’ Asphalt Stage Rally Championship 2016 incorporating the Mini Sport Mini Cup.

The Carfax Stages run by Oxford Motor Club took place on Saturday 6^th August at Throckmorton Airfield nr Pershore. Paul and Jemma Taylor took a late entry taking the total numbers of minis taking part in the event to twelve.

 The weather gradually grew hotter and hotter throughout the day and the crews soon began to see issues caused by the heat creep in. The main issue were brakes over heating on the minis meaning some crews were struggling to stop or slow for the corners. Crews affected by this included Adrian Kermode, Paul Price and Clive King.

 Category one

With only minis making up the category, it safe to say a Mini won it. The lucky Mini was that of Shane Gamble / Max freeman having a relatively trouble free run all day only once needing a welder, coming 30^th overall.

Paul Price / James Seymour in 33^rd overall took 2^nd in the category after they tried they best to dismantle the stage furniture on one of the stages breaking a headlight after going straight on at a 90 left.

Peter Ellerby / Phillip Swanborough were forced to retire on the eighth stage after a drive shaft failure along with Adrian Kermode / Maurice Beckett who stopped due to lack of oil pressure in their Mini on stage three.

 Category two

Again this category was made up of Minis. Mini Sport sponsored Clive King / Anton Bird took top honours with a happy 23 overall. Jim brindle / Sam Bould came in second in cat, 26^th overall hoping to repeat his performance from Cearwent. Stuart Hart had a change of co-driver on this event with partner Catherine Farrell sitting in with him for her first ever event. They seem to have gelled and their new partnership gained them 40th overall – 3^rd in category. Regular Andrew O’Hanlon / Ryan Taylor was attacking all day but was to suffer a major engine failure on the penultimate stage. The blown engine having now to be replaced/ rebuilt before Isle of Man not giving him much time.

 In the open class Minis, Paul & Gemma Taylor was first open Mini home having put his last minute entry in for the event achieving 43^th overall. Martin Melling / Carmel Venables came home 47^th in the cancer research Mini.

 The Next event is the Isle of Man Rally Sept 15-17^th.

 

Event Results

 23^rd overall Clive King / Anton Bird

26^th overall Jim Brindle / Sam Bould

30^th overall Shane Gamble / Max Freeman

33^rd overall Paul Price / James Seymour

40^th overall Staurt Hart / Catherine Farrell

43^rd overall Paul / Gemma Taylor

47^th overall Martin Melling / Carmel Venables

 

PRESS RELEASE 2016/023

 

Sent on Behalf of HRCR and Startline Media.