Close Finish at Manx Rally

Steven Smith and John Nichols won round six of the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship, the Conister Trust Manx Historic Rally, on July 29-31 by just 3 sees in their Ford Escort RS2000.

Giving away power to the BDA-powered cars, Smith took the lead on the second stage in the tight lanes around Cornaa, but it was SS5, Cringle, which really set the scene for the rest of the rally. Thick fog shrouded the roads at Round Table and Smith/Nichols caught Gower and Williamson mid-stage and then David Stokes and Den Golding.
Adrian Kermode headed the historic cars but, because he was unregistered for the championship, second place gave Dessie Nutt and Geraldine McBride (911) top points.

Stokes and Golding rolled out in Glen Roy on Friday and Ray Bellm/Mark Solloway lost time with an off and a puncture. Dominic Frattaroli/Wyn Thomas took third in their Datsun 240Z from Graham Samuel/Tony Phillips (Escort). Samuel was another to star in the fog, finishing clear of Adrian Trickett/John Pickavance (Escort). Stuart Rolt/Steve Dear had an excellent run to class victory in their Porsche 911, while John Worthing/ John Cadwallader (Escort) also took a fine class win on their first experience.