1996 Kent Rally

Basil Wadman Trophy Rally 1996

Borough 18 MC's Powerush Trophy Rally saw Simon Larner/Gavin Rogers record back to back wins on consecutive weekends. Contrasting with the white roads of Norfolk used on the Mindwarp Rally, the Powerush relied upon navigation to get it's result. This coupled with fog on the last half dozen sections proved trying for both occupants of the cars. Mark Lodder/Matt Clark proved to be the best of the semi-experts, placing 5th O/A. Ray Deacon/Paul Rodemark proved to be the best of the novices, even though their total penalty amounted to over 5 hours!

The talk at the start was of the non-starters and rejigged crews brought about by the carnage that the Mindwarp caused the weekend before. Top seeds Tony Michael/Paul Barrett had destroyed their familiar RS2000 in some trees, and were reduced to using Barrett's Astra. Front drive unfamiliarity proved to be too much for Michael and they were to finish a disappointing 9th. Doug Kingsley/PRAR were also non starters with Kingsley's cavalier deciding that enough was enough. With 4 other crews unable to start the entry was reduced to a paltry 23 cars. However as the Powerush had only been slipped into the championship calendars at the last minute, and it came at the end of a 5 week run of events this was to be expected.

Starting from the Kempton Manor Hotel the route took in the familiar Romney Marsh sections in the first half, but with controls spaced at approximately 4 mile intervals, compared to the more usual 2 miles on a 90s Road Rally, the sections proved reasonably straight forward for many. By half-way at Ashford the navigation had taken it's toll. Three crews were penalty free Larner/Rogers, Gordon Popperwell/Graham Coker and Ian Mepham/Martin Smith. Semi-experts Mark Lodder/Matt Clark occupied the fourth spot with a very respectable three minute penalty, just ahead of Les Parsons/Roger Davidson. Penalties were already mounting amongst the novices, with Nick Howard/Gian Bertorelli leading on 62 minutes.

The second half was to contrast the tight hilly lanes of the North Downs with the flat lands of the Marshes. The first section out from Petrol saw Mepham/Smith drop three minutes as Smith struggled with the navigation. This left Popperwell/Coker and Larner/Rogers tied for the lead. This tie lasted for one more section until Larner/Rogers slipped a minute on a short section. Popperwell/Coker were unable to capitalise upon this, and they dropped to fourth with a five minute penalty two controls later. This left Larner/Rogers in the lead, which they held onto despite the fog on map 178. Colin Rodger/Sue Speller moved up the order to 2nd spot, making up for an error in the first half. They were one of only four cars not to go OTL in the fog. Cath Woodman/Ian Buxton also had a good run in the second half after first half traumas. Third place overall will help Woodman in her quest to be LCAMC driver's champion this year. This trophy would go well with the navigator's trophy she won last year! Mepham/Smith held on for fourth spot despite going OTL.

Lodder/Clark proved their worth being the last crew to avoid going OTL and netting fifth overall as first semi-experts. All the novices lost the battle to avoid OTL, but Rayeacon/Paul Rodemark lasted the longest and scooped first in class.

PRAR

Final Results:

Pos Driver/Navigator                     Car                min
 1  Simon Larner/Gavin Rogers            Escort              19
 2  Colin Rodger/Sue Speller             205 GTi             28
 3  Cath Woodman/Ian Buxton              Nova                35
 4  Ian Mepham/Martin Smith              Golf GTi            60
 5  Mark Lodder/Matt Clark               Opel Kadett         62
 6  Ray Heathcote/Pat Gadsby             Golf                71
 7  Keith Lee/Matthew Fowle              Astra               72
 8  Gordon Popperwell/Graham Coker       Escort              79
 9  Tony Michael/Paul Barrett            Astra              107
10  Les Parsons/Roger Davidson           Sierra             162
11  Andy Gibson/                         MGB GT             243
12  Russell Fry/Lee Craker               Astra              309
13  Ray Deacon/Paul Rodemark             MG Metro           320
14  Dave Bushby/Roger McKenzie           Escort             427
15  Bob France/Rob Liddiard                                 513
16  Nick Howard/Gian Bertorelli          Fiesta             518
17  Rob Norrington/Paul Riggs            Sunbeam            541
18                                                          719
19  Andrew Overy/Geoff Medcraft          Golf GTi           968
20                                                         1065