Almost capacity for the DUKE Stages

When entries closed at standard rate at 19:00hrs Friday 29th August, a total of 41 crews were on the list for the Druidale Motor Club event.

With the event capped at a maximum of 45 + reserves, the new Clerk of the Course, Kris Killip, is extremely happy.

"I think the number of entries received proves that the club made the right decision for the 2008 event" commented Killip. "We had to make sure that the event ran this year, not just for the club but for the competitors and of course the sponsor, Duke Video. Peter Duke has been a long time sponsor of Manx rallying and this remains Druidale Motor Club's premier event. It was therefore essential that we rewarded this support by ensuring the event ran this year."

It was only a month ago that the club received approval in principal to run the event as a closed-roads stage rally and since then planning for the event has been in full flow.

One of the first entries in was that of the current leaders in the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Stage Rally Championship, Mark and Eunice Cubbon in their Mitsubishi Evo 7. They have dominated the local scene so far this year with three straight wins and who would bet against them making it four? The last winners of the Duke Stages back in 2006 George Collister and Janet Craine were also early entries and they will certainly be up there fighting for the overall honours after their recent success on the Manx Trophy Rally.

Reigning Eurocars Motorsport Manx Stage Rally Champions Richard Curphey and Andrew Holmes finished second on the Riverside Jurby Stages, first time out in the ex-Steve Quine Vauxhall Astra. Since then the Astra has been fully stripped and is currently being re-built ready for the coming event. Despite the more powerful 4WD's this time, Curph looks likely to be right up at the front of the pack.

Steve "Smiler" Quine and Shaun Fox have both entered with Paul McCann and Voirrey Minay co-driving respectively. While Foxy uses his familiar green Vauxhall Corsa and starts as the favourite in Class B (up to 1600cc), Quine will be out in the loaned Vauxhall Corsa Super 2000 belonging to local businessman Tim Collins. Quine is using the event to try and iron out some of the problems which have niggled Collins throughout this year. Tim himself will also be out on the event is his new steed, having recently purchased a Honda Civic.

Another driver who will certainly be knocking on the door of the top 5 is Dave Corris. Having shown promise in the early stages of the Manx Trophy Rally in a car which he had literally driven from the boat to scrutineering, he was forced out after picking up two punctures in the fantastic looking Ford Fiesta 4x4. Although yet to be confirmed on the received entries list, Dave will have Druidale Motor Club Chairman Rob Fagg alongside him.

Renowned as the leading driver on the island, Rob Watson also appears on the entry, although this time in the co-drivers seat. He and Bruce Craig have switched around and they will compete in the ex Colin Shimell Mini Clubman, aiming for Class A honours (up to 1400cc), and are sure to face tough opposition from Glenn Leece who is accompanied by John Tarrant in one of John's Minis. Steve Higgins will also appear in his Mini making for some close competition on the day. The big favourite for Class A though has to be the current leader of the championship, Kevin Vondy in his 1400 Corsa.

Those looking to chase Fox for Class B honours include Tim Collins/Rob Jackson in the Civic and Martyn Jones/Maurice Snell in their Vauxhall Nova. It will also be interesting to see how returnee Ben Duke does in his fathers Peugeot 205, a car that has certainly shown pace over the years, and Ben may just be the surprise of the event.

Class C (2 litre, front wheel drive) will see the young guns plus Smiler battle it out. Richard Curphey will be a favourite but could be hard pushed by Andrew Leece, who is again partnered by his uncle Graham Fargher. Leece, the 2004 Ford Rallye Sport Ka Champion, was another to show good pace on the recent Manx Trophy rally before his promising run was bought to an early halt by a broken driveshaft. Matt Bettridge is another who could challenge the front two, he really came on the pace towards the end of the Jurby event back in June after spending the day ironing out problems with his Peugeot 206.

Another interesting battle will be that in Class D (2 litre, rear wheel drive) of the Escorts and BMW's. Ian and Connor Corkill with Rivka Corkill and Howard Allison respectively should be set for a day long battle. Connor has put in some good performances of late away in the UK, and with the experienced Allison again alongside he will be hoping for a good day. DB Autos work mates Kex Walker and Graham Collister will not only be entertaining the crowds with their sideways styles, but also looking to gain "Brew Room" honours. Kex scored a podium result back in June and on the Manx Trophy Rally. He certainly seems to have found his car in the BMW 325 and could be a surprise in the top 5 at the end of the day. Another worth watching in this class is Jasper Kirkpatrick in the rear wheel drive Vauxhall Astra. This could prove to be one of the most exciting battles of the day.

The main runners in class E (4wd/turbo) have already been mentioned, Cubbon, Collister and Corris. The remaining entries in the class are that of Mark/Paul Bumfrey in there Ford Escort Cosworth and Peppe Planeta/Dave Rawlings in a Sierra Cosworth. Both of these crews will be looking for a finish after early retirements last time out.

A couple of new cars will be debuting on the event. Cathy Craine will have a new 1400 Vauxhall Corsa at her disposal and will be accompanied by the experienced Anton Cashen. Returning after a short absence is Swift Communications owner Steve Hands partnered by daughter Rebecca who is making her rallying debut. Steve will also be competing in a Vauxhall Corsa, built and prepared like Craine's by Q&S Motors of Douglas.

This weekend will see the preparation for all the crews begin when the reconnaissance window opens enabling them to make pace notes for the Closed Road Stages. This will assist the drivers to drive to the best of their abilities, but for the stages on the airfield they will be relying on their co-drivers to ensure they go the right way. This event provides a real test for both driver and co-driver with the switching from proper pace note instructions to that of the co-driver giving the directions from a stage diagram.

The actual event starts from the Parade Ground at Jurby, next to the Jurby Hotel, with the first car due to leave at 8:51am. The crews will tackle 2 stages on Jurby Airfield before heading onto 4 closed roads tests across the north of the island. The leading crews are due back at the Jurby finish at around 4pm

Of course there is still a chance to get one of the small number of remaining entries for the event with late entries closing on Sunday 7^th September at 19:00.

There are also still a few drivers who are short of co-drivers for this event and anyone available is asked to contact the organisers or e-mail webmaster@druidalemc.org.im

As always marshals and timekeepers are needed for the event and if you are not competing and are able to assist, signing on is on Thursday evening, 7pm, at the TT Grandstand.

Of course spectators are also welcome at the event and it is hoped that stage maps including spectator vantage points, a time schedule and full entry list will be available from the club website, www.druidalemc.org.im.

Please note though, no spectators will be allowed on Jurby Airfield.
 

05/08/2008

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21/11/2008