HRCR Old Stagers Rally Championship

[Mini me]

Below is the latest from the HRCR, written by MCR member and competitor Peter Horsburgh.

"Following on from the successful running of the Mini Cup section of the Championship in 2015, culminating in a record 12 Minis competing on the final rounds on the Rally Isle of Man last September, this year has started with a massive resurgence of interest in rallying Minis.

The Championship was launched at the Historic Rally Car Register “Open Day” at the motor museum at Gaydon on Saturday 16th January. There are 7 rounds all on asphalt, which partly accounts for the interest from the Mini fraternity, starting with the Agbo Stages at Weston Park on 20th March. So popular is this event also launched at the Open Day, that the entry list of 75 was filled in one day.

Of the 31 crews registered for the Championship by the end of January, no fewer than 20 are entered in Minis, split into classes depending on age and size of engine. There is a variety of other makes of cars including Geoff Taylor in a
Hillman Imp competing against Ken Pryce in his 970 “S” in the up to 1000cc class. There are 4 Ford Escorts of course, a Triumph 2.5PI in the hands of Lee Sellars who was runner up in 2015, and Stuart Anderson 3rd last year in a Vauxhall Chevette.

With 20 Minis entered, the competition for the Mini Sport Mini Cup will be even more hard fought than in 2015. Leading crews entered so far include 2015 Mini Cup winner Andrew O’Hanlon in his Cooper S, and Clive King in his very quick 8 port Cooper S, full of confidence after his impressive drive on Wales Rally GB. Other top crews from last year include Shane Gamble, Pete Ellerby, Eric Davies and myself in the usual MiniSpares Cooper S “277 BRX”, to name a few.

Into the mix this year comes Adrian Kermode who blew all other Minis into the weeds on the Isle of Man last year only to retire with 3 stages to go with a failed coil. He assures me he has a spare now fitted under the bonnet!
Also from The Leyland stable in the up to 1300cc class, is the very experienced Trevor Godwin in a Morris Marina.

The camaraderie amongst the Mini crews is what makes the atmosphere special and is a major factor in the popularity of this class of the sport with cars not cheap but a fraction of the cost to run compared to the big Escorts and Porsche 911’s. This is combined with the on event support from MiniSport which is superb. I will be in trouble if I don’t mention the intrepid band of co-drivers who endeavour to keep us on the straight and narrow, not always successfully! They are, along with the service crews the unsung heroes of the sport. As I write this report my regular co-driver Graham Carter is pointing the way round the French Alps for Bill Richards in his Cooper S “PRX 720B” on the 19th running of the “Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique”

The events to look out for this year, with 4 scores counting for points at the end of the year are:

Agbo Stages - Sunday 20 March Weston Park, Shropshire.
The season opens with the 20th running of this popular event within the 1000 acre estate of Weston Park, providing over 40 stage miles for competitors.
Weston Park Agbo Stages agbostages@hotmail.co.uk http://www.owenmotoringclub.co.uk

Dixies Historic Challenge - Sunday 1 May
Also a round of the HRCR Stage Masters Challenge – Asphalt – Epynt. Run for the first time in
2015, this event became an instant hit with competitors, providing 45 miles of stages within a compact route on the famous military ranges.

Red Dragon IT Stages - Saturday 28 May
Asphalt Dixies Historic Challenge gfieldphot@btinternet.com http://www.southwalesac.com
Down Ampney The championship returns to this Cotswold venue. Run over eight stages and with a water splash that created some exciting moments in 2015 !
Emcos julie_ritchings@btconnect.com http://www.emcos.co.uk

Garth Tyre and Auto Services Midsummer - Sunday 12 June
Caerwent, Monmouthshire This well known MOD venue is host to this event, which will be organised by the experienced Forresters Car club. They have promised to provide some ‘historic’ friendly but challenging stages.
Forresters Car Club neilfuller12@hotmail.com http://www.forresterscarclub.co.uk

Carfax Throckmorton Stages - Saturday 6 August
Pershore, Worcestershire New to the Championship this event will offer 60 miles of smooth flowing tests, over ten stages and plenty of service time, at this popular venue.
Oxford Motor Club a304sca@aol.com http://www.oxfordmotorclub.co.uk

Rallee Classicagh – Rally Isle of Man - Thursday 15 September-Saturday 17 September
Also a round of the HRCR Stage Masters Challenge – Asphalt – Isle of Man Based at the TT Grandstand and counting as two championship rounds, we have our season finale offering 170 miles of classic stages. Opening with the popular spectator stage on the Promenade and including the classic Friday evening run through
stage to the Grandstand.
Rally Isle of Man rally@rallyisleofman.co.im http://www.rallyisleofman.co.im
Castletown, and the finish on Saturday with the Classic Grandstand stage
We hope for the promise of an even bigger contingent of Japanese competitors on their now regular journey to the Isle of Man, maybe 6 crews this year? I hope so, as they bring a whole different spirit to the Mini rally scene, thanks to Shinobu Kitano and his friends.

All in all the 2016 season promises to be one of the best. I hope you can join us or come along and soak up the atmosphere as a spectator, marshal or service crew.

Peter Horsburgh"

[Brynmor]

I'd completely missed this series...until I noticed pictures of Mini's appearing on the Agbo stages...20 in all I see entered...on my list to be considered for next year now.

[SMOKE GREY]

Went to watch last Sunday, brilliant day, 20 Minis out, must be over 30 years since I saw that number of Minis rallying. Got me all 'fired' up. No prizes for what events Orangebox will be competing in after the rebuild!! Really good friendly atmosphere in the service area. Several cars in the process of being built for the c/ship according to my friends at Mini Sport, potential of close on 30 Minis out on the last round on the IOM.