A reminder to all crews that entries for the season-opening Chris Kelly Memorial Rally, sponsored by MANN Construction close at the standard rate this coming Friday, 1st February at 8pm.
Earlier this week there were 35 crews on the list, and the usual last minute rush is expected to push this to around 50, so if you were in two minds shake off the winter and get set for a blast!
Last years edition was the most closely fought club rally since closed roads were permitted for such events in the mid-1990’s. Bury’s John Cope and local co-driver Rob Fagg took the narrowest of victories in John’s Subaru WRC after many previous attempts and rally leads over the last 10 years. Steve Colley, Sean Kelly and Stockport’s Dave Pattison all came within reach of victory in their various Mitsubishi’s, all four drivers separated by fewer than ten seconds after a fierce but friendly rally-long battle.
Cope confirmed this week that he will return to bid to retain the title, and the entries of trials star Colley and Kelly have also both arrived in recent days.
However the competition looks likely to be the strongest ever assembled for a ‘club’ event on the island, with leading National Tarmac Championship runner John Indri, the undoubted character of British rallying the very first entry the organisers received, in his nimble and potent Darrian.
Add to that the TEG Sport entry of 18 year-old Arron Newby, perhaps the hottest up and coming driver in the country at the moment. The team were so impressed with the way Arron was received during last September’s Rally Isle of Man that the Subaru pilot is set to make a full challenge for this years Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship, of which this round is the opening encounter. Top local co-driver Rob Fagg has been signed up to help that cause.
The battle for two-wheel drive honours looks no less thrilling, with Cumbria’s rapid Stuart Egglestone (Vauxhall Astra) and local Adrian Kermode (historic VW Golf MKII) amongst those already on the list.
The organising club, Manx Auto Sport, have travel package deals available for off-island crews with the event also a round of the ANWCC Stage Rally Championship.
The event tackles six stages in the darkness of Friday night, 15th February, including St Marks, Balladoole and Marine Drive, before a further ten tests on Saturday 16th at St Judes, Druidale, Staarvey and a town centre stage in Ramsey.
Entry forms and event regulations are available from the clubs website manxautosport.org
Sign up and be part of the fun!
• As ever, event officials are needed – if you can help please contact Chief Marshal, Glen Corlett on 07624 492151 (no calls after 9pm, thank you).
