SUMMER 2014

The past few months have seen rallying in the national newspapers for the wrong reasons following the tragedy on the Jim Clark Rally. Locally venues and events are affected for various reasons. Further details on these items in the news and event reports section. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see in this publication, please contact the EDITOR. The club website is updated regularly; check it out for further information and news. Club Nights - King William IV, Scawby Brook. Map Ref 112/984066 from 8:30 pm.

Website www.bordermotorclub.co.uk Border Motor Club are also on

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT

NEWS

Future Club Events Aug 6th - Committee meeting at King William IV 8:00pm prompt. Sept 3rd - Details, when known, will be available on the website. Local Venues Sheffield & Hallamshire Motor Club had to cancel at very short notice the Hallamshire Stages that was due to run in May, and the Centenary Stages scheduled for August will now not take place either. This is due to alterations in operational policy, internal operations and security issues by the RAF at Barkston Heath. For the August event no alternative venue could be found. Hopefully both events will return to Barkston Heath next year, but other venues are being investigated. There is also a possibility of a multi-venue. [Interesting prospect – Ed] On a positive note rallying returned to Twyford Wood in April and although it only attracted a small entry, Mid-Derbyshire Motor Club took the decision to run the event. Concrete was put down in parts that had been damaged when logging took place, but with more support from competitors on future events, further work can be carried out to the venue. Also Mablethorpe & DMC put on an event at Ludford for the first time in many years. Having been used as a stage on the Tour of Lincs, this was a multi-use that used a lot more of the airfield. Positive comments from the competitors, lets hope it will run again next year. One out and one in Andrew Coe has left his post as Chief Executive of International Motor Sports Ltd (IMS,) to be replaced by Ben Taylor. Coe held the position from 2001 and was in charge of the UK’s round of the World Rally Championship, Wales Rally GB. IMS has also organised the RACMSA International Rally of Scotland, the MSA EuroClassic and many other successful events, including the on-track organisation of the British Grand Prix. Last year’s Wales Rally GB was undoubtedly one of the highlights of his career, moving to the North of the country revitalised the event, bringing huge numbers of spectators to the area. Alan Gow, MSA and IMS Chairman, thanked Andrew for everything he did for IMS, British rallying and most especially Wales Rally GB, and wished him every success in the future.” Andrew Coe said he had thoroughly enjoyed his 3 years as Chief Executive and had the particular privilege of working with many talented and professional people. His replacement, Ben Taylor, was the MSA Development and Communications Director, leading the MSA Academy young driver programme, the Go Motorsport club development scheme, the MSA’s network of Regional Development Officers and the company’s communications portfolio, including the current campaign to change the law to allow Closed Road motor sport in Britain. In his expanded role, he will continue to be responsible for those MSA activities in addition to leading the promotion of Wales Rally GB and the sporting organisation of the British GP through the IMS subsidiary. Low entry forces rally cancellations Even though the organisers of the Keith Frecker Memorial Rally were still 72 hours away from the closing date for entries, they took the view that there was no realistic chance of achieving the minimum entry required for the event to run, and so had to cancel the event. The Bill Gwynne Rally School Coracle Stages at Sweet was also cancelled due to low entries. With print deadlines looming, the difficult decision was made with only 25 confirmed entries received. Both clubs would have made a loss in the interest of the sport, but there comes a point that these losses cannot be sustained and a small entry undermines the credibility of a competitive event. The organiser's of both rallies very much regret having to take this decision. Blackpool & South Shore Motor Club remain committed to running an event at Weeton Camp in 2015 and will review reasons for this year’s low entry and options for changes in 2015. They welcome any feedback (positive and negative) that may help in this process. It was noted there is a trend for competitors to hold back on submitting entries until the last minute. Most organisers these days do not take payment until they are sure the event will run and offer a full refund, or one with a small administration charge, should the event not run or the competitor cannot make the event for some reason, so there is no reason not to get your entries in early to ensure organisers know far earlier if their event is viable to run.

Wales Rally GB 2014 The event will again be based at the new service park in Deeside and include 23 stages totalling 191.27 competitive miles, the majority of which will be in the Welsh forests. There will also be two night stages on Saturday evening covering 22 miles. Nearly the same mileage as 2013 has been packed into one days less competition. After the ceremonial start on Thursday evening, action begins early Friday morning with stages close to Machynlleth. It features double runs through the well-known Gartheiniog, Dyfi, Hafren Sweet Lamb and Maesnant stages, either side of a remote service in central Newtown. Saturday's action is closer to Deeside providing easier access for weekend fans travelling from Liverpool, Manchester and the Midlands and includes two stages in the Clocaenog forest plus morning and afternoon runs through Aberhirnant and Dyfnant – the final two after sunset. Before that the competitors return to the mid-day service in Deeside via Chirk Castle close to Wrexham for the first of the two RallyFest stages. Chirk Castle proved so popular last year that the number of spectators trying to access the venue created serious traffic and other issues. Responding to these, organisers have created a completely revised traffic management system, increased parking and enhanced spectator facilities to ensure a truly family-friendly experience. With admittance by advanced ticket only, spectator numbers will be controlled. The rally will conclude on Sunday with another RallyFest Stage at Kinmel Park, plus two new stages in north Wales: Alwen and Brenig, the latter also acting as the concluding Power Stage for which extra bonus points are awarded. As last year, the winners will be crowned on Mostyn Street in Llandudno. Access to both official start and finish ceremonies will be open to the public and totally free, as is admittance to the service park in Deeside. After being caught out last year by the sheer number of people wanting to get into the stages (a problem not encountered for many years,) robust plans will be in place, and by going ticket-only on the RallyFest stages there will be better control on the numbers admitted to the venues. The best value access to everything is a World Rally Pass which are already on sale priced at £99 and will provide access to all 23 special stages including the RallyFests, but have limited availability. Prices for day Forest Passes, RallyFests and individual stage access will be confirmed when they go on sale later in the year.

Riponian Stages Rally 2015 It is with much regret that the organising team of the Riponian Stages Rally have to inform you that the committee of Ripon Motor Sport Club have decided that the Riponian Stages Rally 2015 is NOT going to run!! Plans were already under way for next years rally so this came as a big shock to the organising team. We would like to thank everyone who has supported the rally over the years and made the event a success. To those of you who were looking forward to next year’s event we can only say sorry, but it wasn't our decision!! The Riponian Stages Rally Organising Team. Jim Clark Rally You will know doubt be aware of the tragic events that happened on this rally in June. In the light of the deaths the Scottish Government have commissioned a review of motorsport event safety in Scotland, which will draw on safety experts and the knowledge and expertise of the motorsport community. The review will include Motor Sports Association, Police Scotland, Scottish Borders Council, Health & Safety Executive, event organisers and other key stakeholders, and will engage proactively with the motor sport community and look at a range of guidance and information from existing bodies with expertise in safety such as the FIA. Event Scotland, Sport Scotland, Transport Scotland and the Forestry Commission Scotland will also be engaged with the review. Sir Jackie Stewart will provide expert input based on his decades of expertise of improving motorsport safety around the world. Organisers of the Jim Clark Rally have been informed that, as part of conditions for next year’s rally, they must demonstrate to the satisfaction of Scottish Ministers how any recommendations made by the Review will be implemented for the purposes of the 2015 rally. The benefit of the rally to the local area and good safety record over the 44 years that the event has run was highlighted by the Scottish justice secretary, Kenny MacAskill, who stressed that he saw the value of the Jim Clark rally and other events in Scotland. Rallying in Sherwood Forest

This year saw the 55th consecutive running of the Dukeries Rally, but unfortunately it was the last one in its current multi venue forest format. After discussions with the Forestry Commission they have confirmed that due to increasing leisure and environmental pressures, rallying in the Sherwood Forest area will in future be restricted to the Autumn and Winter months. The Dukeries Rally is different from many other stage rallies in that the forests it uses have many owners and are managed on long-term lease agreements by the FC. This multi ownership combined with the involvement of an increasing number of other organisations and individuals unconnected with motor sport has made it progressively more difficult to organise a successful event. This is not the end of forest rallying in the East Midlands and the SA Gas Premier Rally will continue, and will be held in Sherwood Forest on Sunday 23rd November 2014 Prodrive on the move On Prodrive’s 30th anniversary the building that the firm occupied for 28 of those years, and could be viewed from the M40, will be no more as it is been knocked down to make way for retail complex. The firm is only moving a mile away to a purpose built site, and they will still be showing off their history for the fans. Border MC members really enjoyed a visit to their premises a few years ago perhaps another would be a good idea, once the new building is up and running. 12 Car Rally Championship 2014 – 2015 Once a committee meeting has been held, it can be reviewed as to whether it is worth putting on a championship for 2014/2015.

Border Classic results

World Rally Championship There will be significant changes for 2015 with the option most likely to be selected for the revamp is the final-stage shootout system which will offer points at the end of each day and a performance weighting in the shootout to reward being fastest throughout the rally. The time frame will remain as it is now: a ceremonial and maybe a superspecial on Thursday night, then normal days Friday and Saturday and a shorter day on Sunday. For example, if the driver in first place heading into the decider has been a tenth of a second per mile faster across the whole event than the driver in second place, then they will take that advantage multiplied by the stage distance into the shootout. So, if the final test was 10 miles, the quicker driver would start with a one-second time advantage. This could mean a driver who has been in the lead for the rest of the rally, could lose it on this single stage which is meant to spice up the final day with a dramatic finish and get TV companies interested. Others think that the internet is the key to growing the series and that the promoters are unrealistic in getting extended coverage via traditional methods. They should get the product right with cars being more spectacular, altering routes from the circular ones now being used, and use modern day communications. When breaking news can go round the world in minutes, and people expect more and more instantly from the media, perhaps the latter view is the way to go.

Marshals requests Phoenix Jane Cowling Memorial Charity Stages - 3rd August Marshals & radios required at Fulbeck Airfield, just off the A17 Newark – Sleaford road. Signing on will between 0715hrs – 0745hrs, first car away at 0900hrs. Location to be fully notified in due course. email djminnsrally@tiscali.co.uk or call 01949 876271 (evenings), mobile 07986241839 Thanks for your time, John Minns - Eastwood MC Rally Yorkshire - 26th/27th September Help is needed on both the special stages and along the route. See how YOU can assist and get up close to the action, and receive some commemorative goodies as a thank you. Contact Chief marshal Sue Rylatt via this Contact Form or sue@rallyyorkshire.co.uk 07779 857707 Further request for Cropton Stage on Saturday 27th 9.1 miles with 27 junctions run once. Marshals, radios, ATC and start line crew. Please let me know if you can help. Also if you have RalliTrak experience, a 4X4 or would be prepared to marshal away from your vehicle, (the only parking for one location is up a bankside and a couple of others are 100 yards away). email (tonyjones28@btopenworld.com) Phone/text 07792 375371. Further details when available Tony Jones - Stage Commander Still going after all these years Dave Charlton from kirton in Lindsey featured in one the ’Round the Bend’ columns in Motorsport News. Now retired he is still competing, this year in the Saloon Car Championship with a Seat Leon. For 6 years prior to that he used the VW Beetle that was once his rally car, at circuits in various series. Having started 44 years ago in night rallies he progressed into forest with such cars as Lotus Cortinas, before using the beetle which was prepared by Dave using a written off shell bought for £50. Can you remember seeing the Beetle in action? Spectator safety information For your own, and any others with you, safety when attending events please read and note the following: -

Border Stage Rally Championship results 2014

EVENT REPORTS

Horiba D’Isis Stages Rally, MIRA, 26th April – John Savage/Paul Rhodes retired John and Paul were going well and 3rd in class until an electrical problem, which started on stage 5, forced them out on SS6. Middlewick Stages, Woodbridge, 11th May – Clive Hitchman/Jemery Griffiths 10th O/A 1st in class. After retiring at Cadwell, Clive & Jeremy followed up with a brilliant result on this rally. John Overend Memorial Stages Rally, Melbourne, 11th May – Stuart Popplewell 31st O/A 11th in class While some club members ventured South on the 11th May, another went North as Stuart was navigating for Gary Hirst in his Mitsubishi Evo 9. Dukeries Rally, Nottinghamshire Forests, 7th June – Phil Rowland/Phil Woodcock 57th O/A 2nd in class

Phil & Phil finished the event, there were some doubters who were not so sure, but the car needs a lot of work doing to it. Very wet day for all those involved. Wolds Rally, Ludford, 22nd June – Nigel Barber/Stuart Popplewell 1st O/A 1st in class. Charlie Stephens 6th O/A 1st in class. Clive Hitchman/Jemery Griffiths retired SS6 Congratulations to Nigel & Stuart who recorded their first ever overall win on a rally. Nigel carried on with the winning ways that his father Colin, also in an Astra, had started and was very emotional, understandably, at the finish of SS8 - Must have been all that dust in his eyes! They took fastest time on all but one of the stages. Charlie having only competed on smoother single venue events before didn’t know what to expect at Ludford, but put in a sterling drive, ably navigated by Katy Bates. After a slow SS1 they quickly adapted to the conditions and set four 5th fastest times. Clive & Jeremy retired with a broken engine mount. Not a good day for BMW’s as all 3 entered retired, with Phil Rowland & Phil Woodcock not even making the start due to the damage sustained on the Dukeries earlier in the month.

ANCC, ANEMMC & EMAMC CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS 2014 N ANEMMC - Multi Use Sealed. EMAMC - Tarmac Challenge T A ANCC - Multi Use challenge. ANEMMC - Multi Use Mixed. EMAMC - Multi Use M E ANCC / ANEMMC / EMAMC - Forest F 19-Jan SUN Jack Frost Stages Croft T A 7 / 8 Feb FRI/SAT North West Stages Blackpool T A 9-Feb SUN Riponian Stages Rally Yorkshire Forests F/F/F A/N/E 22-Feb SAT Jack Neal Memorial Rally Blyton Park T N 16-Mar SUN Flying Fortress Stages Rally Grafton Underwood. M/M N/E 16-Mar SUN Lee Holland Stages Anglesey T A 23-Mar SUN SMC Stages Weeton M A 6-Apr SUN Alan Healy Memorial Stages Rally Cadwell Park T/T A/N 6-Apr SUN Lookout Rally Melbourne Airfield M E 26-Apr SAT Horiba d'Isis Stages MIRA Proving Ground, M E 26-Apr SAT Tour of Hamsterley Rally Hamsterley Forest. F A 4-May SUN Hallamshire Stages CANCELLED RAF Barkston Heath T N 11-May SUN John Overend Memorial Rally Melbourne Airfield M/M/M A/N/E 31-May SAT Twyford Wood Stages DATE CHANGE Twyford Wood M/M/M A/N/E 7-Jun SAT Dukeries Rally Sherwood Forest, Notts F/F/F A/N/E 20 / 21 Jun SAT/SUN Rally Of The midlands Nuneaton T A 13-Jul SUN Greystoke Stages Greystoke F A 3-Aug SUN Phoenix Jane Cowling Stages Rally Fulbeck Airfield M/M/M A/N/E 17-Aug SUN Centenary Stages CANCELLED No venue available M/T/M A/N/E 7-Sep SUN Vale of York Stages Rally Melbourne Airfield M/M N/E 21-Sep SUN Pendragon Stages Rally Warcop T A 27-Sep SAT Trackrod Rally Yorkshire Yorkshire Forests F/F/F A/N/E 5-Oct SUN Harold Palin Memorial Stages Fulbeck Airfield M/M N/E 12-Oct SUN Adgespeed Stages Three Sisters M A 26-Oct SUN Lynn Charity Stages Sculthorpe T/M N/E 2-Nov SUN MEM Malton Forest Rally N. York Forest. F/F/F A/N/E 9-Nov SUN Cheviot Keith Knox Rally Otterburn T A 16-Nov SUN NHMC Cadwell Stages Cadwell Park T/T N/E 22-Nov SAT Hall Trophy Rally Blyton Park M A 22-Nov SAT Grizedale Stages Rally DATE CHANGE Grizedale F A 23-Nov SUN Premier & Premier Historic Rally Sherwood Pines, Notts F/F N/E Useful websites for events are: - www.itsmymotorsport.co.uk/rally-events-by-month www.silkrallyradio.biz/calendar.htm The contents included in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or Border Motor Club Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the Border Motor Club Ltd. Enquiries concerning reproduction should be sent to the Newsletter Editor r Border Motor Club Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the Border Motor Club Ltd. Enquiries concerning reproduction should be sent to the Newsletter Editor