Towcester rally pairing of driver Roger Duckworth and Co-driver Mark Broomfield returned to the forests after a six month lay-off to record some encouraging stage times before a last stage problem cost them a better finish position on this weekend’s Team GMF Wyedean Rally.
Competing in the newly liveried Intrinsys-backed Subaru Impreza WRC, shod with Kumho tyres, the pair were contesting the opening round of the BTRDA Rally Series.
With five previous Wyedean rally winners competing (including Intrinsys driver Roger Duckworth) the competition was expected to be intense.
Winter rebuild for the Intrinsys-backed Subaru WRC involved an update to the engine to give improved power and boost response, so there was some acclimatisation required by the driver to make the best use of the new configuration. Despite this and the long layoff a competitive time was achieved on the opening stage leaving the pairing in 6th position overall and hoping that with further mileage times would improve.
2007 winner Hugh Hunter (Ford Focus WRC) took the lead after the first stage with a storming run through the slippery Chepstow Park stage, 5 times previous winner Andy Burton in his now legendary home built Peugeot Cosworth was 7 seconds behind in equal 3rd place, former National champion Paul Bird (Ford Focus WRC) was 1 second further back in 5th and Duckworth a further 3 seconds back.
Similar performances on stage 2 were followed by the longest stage of the day where Bird went fastest, stopping the clocks at just 12mins 32 secs. Duckworth having now become more accustomed to his car set 4th fastest time (just 10 secs down on Bird) to climb up the leader board to 4th overall. Meanwhile Burton had taken the lead of the event with Hunter and Bird tied for second spot.
Despite a small spin and engine stall, requiring a restart, on the penultimate stage when temporarily blinded by low sun causing him to miss his braking spot for a hairpin, Duckworth held onto 4th spot going into the last stage. However a failing clutch caused him to lose drive and with it valuable time during the second half of the stage resulting him losing over 30 seconds dropping Duckworth down the leader board to 8th place at the finish.
At the end of the event, Roger was circumspect saying: "
Today was originally intended as a shakedown prior to the Rallye Sunseeker in two weeks time however with so many competitive cars out today it was great to gauge my pace against the best in the country. The result is disappointing but with two 3rd fastest stage times and some miles under my belt with the new engine set-up and I am looking forward to the first round of the Supercar challenge on the Rallye Sunseeker in Bournemouth in a fortnights time.”
As mentioned, Duckworths next outing will be on the Bournemouth-based Rallye Sunseeker on the 26th February; an event he has won twice before.
Full results of the GMF Motor Factors Wyedean Forest Rally are available on the event website at
www.wyedeanrally.com and details of the forthcoming Rallye Sunseeker can be found at
www.rallyesunseeker.co.ukResults
1. Andrew Burton/Robin Kellard, Peugeot Cosworth, 0:43:08
2. Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick, Ford Focus WRC, 0:43:27
3. Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank, Ford Focus WRC, 0:43:38
4. David Wright/Michael Wilkinson, Mitsubishi Evo9, 0:44:13
5. Roger Chilman/Andrew Sankey, Subaru Impreza S9, 0:44:16
6. Nik Elsmore/Paul Spooner, Mitsubishi Evo9, 0:44:20
7. Tom Cave/Craig Parry, Mitsubishi Evo10, 0:44:45
8.
Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield, Subaru Impreza WRC, 0:44:479. Nigel Griffiths/Jon Scott, Subaru Impreza, 0:45:23
10. Harry Hunt/Steve McPhee, Mitsubishi Evo9, 0:45:52
