The Riponian Stages Rally 2006 - Sunday 5th February 06 By Matt Rudd

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Photograph   Gallery 1,   Gallery 2.

My first gravel event of the year, like last year, was on the Riponian Stages Rally which this year took place on Sunday 5th of February. The event had a total of 14 stages with a mixture of gravel and tarmac on the stages. Like last year I was once again on the 2 Riccal Dale stages throughout the event.

The rally did have a good entry - maybe not in terms of numbers, with only around 60 of the 90 places filled but the entry did attract some great local talent including Northallerton's Kevin Procter in his Subaru Impreza, Tim Pearcey and Tony Thompson both in Mitsubishi Lancer's, Donavan Jenkin also made and appearance in his Escort WRC. Other top drivers included - Charlie Taylor and Dave Hemingway in Escort Mk2's, Greg Wilkinson (Escort Cosworth) and Steven Petch in his Impreza

For the first run through the stage until about car 25, I moved to a number of locations. For the first few cars, including the superb Kevin Procter, we were on the massive down hill section, relatively close to the start of the stage. While cars were continuing on the stage we kept walking out of the forest and onto surrounding farmland. After about 1 mile into the stage I watched as the cars were going through a gate and due to some concrete on this bit of track a small hump was created.

Because of this mini hump we were treated to lots of air from some of the drivers but the Critical Photography-backed Escort Mk2 won hands down in terms of the best jump. After Jon Finch in his BMW 318 we carried on walking along the side of the track. Matt Smith was one of the next cars and once again, like at the Malton Forest Rally, he was surprisingly quick in his little Peugeot 205.

A few cars later we ended up coming to a farm yard during the stage where the drivers had to drive at competitive speed in between gate posts, farm buildings and large dry stone walls. Due to these obstructions the action from the remaining drivers was relatively slow.

Then a bit of lunch. And then a long hike during the gap between the first and second Riccal Dale stages. During this walk we dropped down from the farmland at the top of the valley and we went right to the bottom but soon the stage was going to start, so for the second stage I settled for a tight chicane which I think was relatively close to the end of the stage.

The chicane had a long, fast approach due to the nature of the track at the bottom of the valley but it was a relatively low speed set of corners.

Then, whilst finding a good position on this corner, we could hear the thundering roar of the brilliant Metro 6R4 of Warren Philliskirk who was acting as the event's course car. A few minutes past and then the real action began with the always great Kevin Procter at the wheel of his Subaru Impreza. Then Tim Pearcey who was slightly slower through the section. Malton Forest Rally winner, Tony Thompson looked great through the section - a real rival for Procter going towards the final loop of stages.

Continued..... Next Page

Check the thisisUll.com Gallery Photograph   Gallery 1,   Gallery 2.

Photographs courtesy and Copyright ©  Matt Rudd 2006

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