The Zaifa Motorsport Resolution Road Rally

Kent Rally 98

A full 40 car entry set off from Gargrave, North Yorkshire to compete on the first running of The Witch Way Road Rally ran by Pendle District Motor Club. The event is in the following championships, Association of North Western Car Clubs (both Road Rally & Historic), SD34 Motor Sport Group and Cumbrian Motor Sport Group. First away was ANWCC champion Paul Holmberg, although this year he has a new Escort MkII and a new navigator in Neil Thomas.

Out of order references caused big problems for many crews, so that by the time they reached TC3 (South of Clapham), not one crew was clean. Some leading entries also incurred a WD at a passage check, including Paul Burns/Dave Campbell who otherwise put in a faultless display, but that one Fail put them down to 15th O/A. Geoff Breakall/Nigel Raeburn in their Historic class Alfa Giulia 1750 were leading at the end of Time Card 1, back at Gargrave.

Already retired were the poorly Austin Healey 3000 of David and Bryan Smith and a lightless XR4x4 belonging to Bury's John North/Richard Murtha. After petrol the route used Elslack and Lothersdale Moor. Paul Burns' Skoda was the best on Time Card 2 and Time Card 3. Due to patchy ice some crews were OTL by MTC20. Etherington/Carter proved that No. 13 was not unlucky for them with a fine third card they managed 6th O/A. Jayne Hill/Andy Hughes were the leading mixed crew at 9th O/A.

The Historic cars proved that with the right crew they can still mix it with the modern boys, 1st and 4th O/A! The organisers have already started on the 1999 Witch Way Rally, and next year more championships will be represented, so don't leave your entry too late.

Neil Bye

Final Results: