Endurance Road Rally Championship 2009

The dual permit event ran successfully for its second year over the weekend.

A  total of 30 cars started from the excellent HQ facilities at the University of Nottingham [Kings Meadow Campus] early Saturday afternoon . The first two tests at Great Dalby near Melton ,[airfield last used in the 80s ] ,saw a number of the top runners beating the bogey time in the dry conditions.

The event then moved to the Ashby area of Leicestershire where a number of tests were undertaken. A new test at Breedon garden centre proved impossible for any of the top ten to beat on the first run - Jamie Turner/Dan Harrison being the fastest the second time through.

Another new test saw the crews tackle a variety of surfaces with Staunton Harold Hall as a backdrop. After a rest halt at the golf club at Wilson all the tests were repeated in reverse order.
 
After a well earned evening meal the second leg started at 23.01 hours.

The predominately plot and bash road rally proved tough for some of the novice crews whilst getting praise from the more experienced crews.

Overall leading crew on the road rally was the crew of Paul Heal/Matt Heal  who were to finish second overall.

Before a night rest halt the crews had to tackle a six and half mile test in Twyford forest followed by two runs at the old Spitalgate airfield [now the Prince William of Gloucester army barracks] - last used in the 70s.
 

After the rest halt the sting in the tail of the event [leg 3] was two runs at the fabulous Morkery Woods so praised  on last years event [and not used since] . This was followed by two further tests [in reverse direction] at the barracks where a few crews had difficulty in the dusty conditions.

The crews returned to the HQ facilities after sunrise to enjoy a hearty breakfast .

The event overall proved very successful with only six retirements .

Jamie Turner in his winners speech praised the Organisers for the vast improvement over the previous [first] years event .

Results:

1 Jamie Turner/Dan Harrison (Rover 200) 1h28m22s;

2 Paul Heal/Matt Heal (MG ZR) 1h33m13s;

3 Damien Rigden/Lizzie Pope (Proton Compact) 1h38m12s;

4 Dave Town/Mick Town (Rover 214) 1h38m15s;

5 Rob Yates/Alan Ogden (Peugeot 106 Rallye) 1h40m49s;

6 Rob Dance/Graham Dance (Ford Escort Mk2) 1h42m43s;

7 Ben Dawson/Mike Dawson (Rover 214) 1h42m43s;

8 Dave Smith/Mike Turner (Rover 214) 1h45m57s;

9 Dr Kaval Patel/Kevin Ablitt (Renault Clio) 1h47m11s;

10 Mark Slatcher/Satish Khakhar (Vauxhall Corsa) 2h02m32s.