Bullnose Rally 1994

Alnite Rally 1995

This year it was not to be their event and they did not make it to the finish. We however did, and managed to stroll off with some very nice pieces of silverware (some for onward delivery).

The event started from S G Petch in Richmond again, making it a bit of a trek up the A1, but at least we seem to have avoided the speed cameras despite making good time. With the relative dearth of roads over the fells the choice of route seemed somewhat restricted, but the with mist on the higher ground and rain else where coupled with the potential for some tricky whites the route was still a challenge. The field featured some familiar names from the previous year including people such as Alan Larkin (he of Larkspeed), The Pashleys (Bruce Robinson winners), James Hoyles & Dave Campbell, and former Wessex MC president Iain Tullie.

Iain was to be the recipient of some silverware (for 2nd place) but as he had to go to work immediately the event finished we were entrusted with it's delivery!

Starting with a few straight forward section the route quickly moved out onto the high fell roads, running up Arkengarthdale and across to Barnard Castle. Seeded directly behind us was a Volvo PV544. At the start Doug remarked that he would 'eat the car' if we were beaten by it. Cavalier stew was on the menu as it caught and passed us in fog, but fortunately for Doug, they were excluded for jumping a give-way. The route was divided into long(ish) standard sections with links (Transport/Neutrals), rather than the all competitive routes seen further south.

The route out from Barnard Castle initially ran along the A66, down to a very tricky slot in the middle of some road works. Turning south, the route ran back via the highest pub in England at Tan Hill. (Apparently they never close providing your wallet does likewise.) To comply with the requirements of a Road-Rally permit they had included a regularity section, and this was to prove the turning point for the event.

Faced with a dozen coded map references and the first control 2 miles away panic set in. Chas took a flier, taking the route used on the previous year, and dropped 19 minutes by the time that they had sorted it all out, typically other crews dropped 2-4 minutes on the initial 4 minute section. Once this was over the was still another 8 miles to go, featuring a tarmac white which wound it's way up hill like a serpent. This later section was almost to prove our downfall as I booked us into the final control 3 minutes early! (I could blame Doug as he was calling the references and we missed that one but as it didn't mater in the end I won't!)

At petrol we seemed to be in about 4th of 5th place (depending upon the seconds) with the Pashleys leading. On checking however they were found to have missed a PC which dropped them ultimately to 7th. Conspicuously absent were Terry & Chas (off on their jaunt) and Alan Larkin (off home).

The route out from petrol was similar to last years and proved to be just as testing as the first half. Most crews dropped a few further minutes, especially on a rather long 2 mile section. Eventually breakfast arrived and we were able to take stock of our standing. Despite our slight aberration on the regularity we had kept a clean sheet in the second half allowing us to move to the front.

With Hoyles/Campbell also excluded for the give way, we surprised to find ourselves the winners.

With Terry & Chas not at the finish we were confirmed as AERRO champions with 1 (or 2) round(s) to go.

Next year's AERRO championship seem to not exist but we will see after the next round, Eastwood & District Motor Club's Cossack Rally.

PRAR

Final Results: