Team Animal top the table The Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship Team Championship looks like it could once again prove to be a close affair in 2011. So far six teams have signed up to challenge for the award, but the results of the opening round, the Chris Kelly Memorial Rally last weekend, still leave the door open for new teams to register. Teams are allowed to register three drivers, and since all of the six teams failed to record more than once score finisher there's still plenty of scope for new squad's to join in. The early leaders are Animal Motorsport, consisting of Martyn Jones/David Radcliffe and Ben Hardy/Ryan McDermott. Jones and Radcliffe finished fourth and were the highest of those crews registered for the team’s award. Currently lying in second, just one point back, are D.E.C. which is made up of two thirds of the 2010 Teams Champions. Back to defend their title are Andrew Leece with Graham Fargher on the notes, along with Andrew Holmes and Stephen Fox. Having been forced to replace Kevin Vondy and Sarah Fargher due to their commitments being UK based this year, the remaining members have found a more than able replacement to complete their team. Kex Walker and Dannii Matthews are no strangers to success in this category as former champions, and it marks this team out as the one to beat in 2011. In third is 'Team WRC', made up of drivers Peppe Planeta and Dave Corris. However they will need to recruit a driver from outside of class E (the Turbo/4wd class) if they are to be in contention for the title this year, as the rules state that only one member of the team may score points from Class E. Both are using cars in that class. Event sponsors for the Chris Kelly memorial Rally, MANN Construction, have also filed a team entry this year made up of company proprietor Tim Collins with the vastly experienced Paul McCann on the notes. They are complemented by the experienced and consistent crew of Tim Healy and Rob Jackson, while bringing youth to the team are Jason Daly and Mark Brew. A little bit of luck on their side and this could be one of the teams to challenge come the final round. Rounding off the point’s scorers on round one was the Shameless team, made up of Ted Sayle and Chris Cain along with Guy Simpkiss and Debbie Perry. With all but one round being on sealed surface this year, this team could be worth an outside bet and if they can complete the team with another crew this would certainly strengthen their case. The only team not to open their scoring was Davison Motorsport, following what can only be described as a character building event for the team. Leaders Matt Davison and Tash Ellison retired on the opening leg after leaving the road and extensively damaging their Subaru Impreza. Glyn Parry, with Anton Cashen in the hot seat, then rolled out of the event on the final run down Druidale, while Ian Davison and son Grieg would retire following an accident on the first run of the St Judes stages. Lets hope these three crews can recover and be out again as soon as possible. It’s not too late to register a team for the series. Despite missing the opening round all is still to play for and you could still top the tables come the final round in November. And for those team currently with only two drivers registered, take a look and try and add that all important driver to your line up ahead of the next round in June. Further details available at www.manxrc.com ENDS