McRae shines on Impreza debut
British Rally Championship star Alister McRae won last weekend’s Bulldog Rally on his debut in a Prodrive Subaru Impreza.
The 27-year-old was testing the World Rally Car which he will drive on next month’s Rally of Great Britain as team mate to his brother Colin - who himself won the Bulldog event in 1992.
More than six minutes separated McRae Jr from second-placed Murray Grierson in an older Subaru.
“I wasn’t really trying today as it’s difficult to go flat out on organiser’s notes,” said McRae. “I’m still getting used to the car, but I felt better and better with it as the day went on.”
Nonetheless, the Scot set every fastest stage time and at one point was taking seven seconds a mile out of his nearest competitor.
Marcus Dodd finished third in his Ford Escort WRC, despite being plagued by electrical problems.
Group N was won by Jeremy Easson’s Mitsubishi, which was fifth overall, although Vince Wetton took another set of maximum points as Easson was not eligible to score.
Gethin Jones claimed Formula 2. while the eagerly-awaited challenge from Jarmo Kytolehto’s Vauxhall Astra failed to materialise after the Finn retired due to accident damage. “Conditions were terrible,” he said.
Duckworth confirmed Mintex Champion
Roger Duckworth has been confirmed as Mintex Rally Champion after a protest against him was rejected by RAC stewards last week.
The Subaru driver failed to report at a time control on the fifth round of the championship, the Enterprise Printing Rally, last July. His victory on that round was later reinstated, but another competitor protested the decision - to no avail.
The confirmation of the win (meant that Duckworth headed into last weekend’s Bulldog Rally, the final round of the Mintex series, with the title in his pocket.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said the 39-year-old engineer at the start of the rally. “However, we would have won the series anyway by finishing fifth or higher on this event.”
After a steady start on the final Mintex event, the newly-crowned champion climbed to fourth on the very last stage, ending up 15 points clear of his championship title rival, Murray Grierson, in the final standings.
“It’s very satisfying to finally win my first title,” said Duckworth. “I’ve been really pleased with our performance all season, which was always fast and consistent.”
Hall takes last-gasp ladies championship
Andrea Hall claimed the Ford Ka Championship and the Castrol Coupe des Dames in a dramatic final encounter on the Bulldog Rally. “I have never experienced pressure like it in my five years of rallying,” said the 26-year-oId.
Having narrowly defeated Edward Pugh on a tie-break for the Ka title. Hall wins a works Ford Puma drive on selected events in the 1999 Mintex series.
Gillv Handley has led the Coupe de Dames all year in her Vauxhall Corsa. but was pipped at the final hurdle by just two points, after Hall ’s late run of success.