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PIRELLI MSA GRAVEL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

PRESS RELEASE: 31st May 2009

2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship - Round 5 - Severn Valley National Rally - Sat 30th May 2009

DODD CLAIMS LATE WIN ON SEVERN VALLEY NATIONAL RALLY

Defending champions Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery claimed maximum points in round five of the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship with an extremely narrow victory in yesterday's (30 May) Severn Valley National Rally.

In their Hyundai Accent WRC car, the pair left it late to secure the win on the Builth Wells-based event as they finished just 0.6 of a second ahead of the Subaru Impreza of Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield, who are not contesting the ANCRO series this year, after edging ahead on the seventh and final stage.

Duckworth and Broomfield had led from the outset with Dodd/Bargery getting off to a steady start on stage one before moving into second place on stage two. They struggled with a gearbox problem and lost time in stage four but resolved it in service to eventually go on to claim their third victory of the campaign.

"I've worked very hard for the win. I've been pushed by Roger and Mark all day and it's great to get another victory," said Dodd.

The Irish crew of Daniel Barry and Martin Brady posted a consistent performance to come home third overall, taking the honours in the Production Cup and second place in the championship in their Mitsubishi Evo 9. The result sees them maintain their lead of the series.

They beat the identical machine of Simon Hughes and Craig Parry by 30 seconds as they took third, 0.7 of a second ahead of the Evo 9 of Nik Elsmore and Craig Drew, who were fifth overall after a very close battle between the Group N crews throughout the event.

The unregistered pairing of Damian Cole and Patrick Walsh in their Hyundai Accent WRC were sixth followed by Irishman Owen Murphy and Welsh co-driver Dai Roberts in their Evo 9, claiming 18 points in the Gravel Rally Championship and making it to the finish despite an off in stage three, which caused some damage to the rear of the car.

The Icelandic pair of Daniel Sigurdarson and Isak Gudjonson were eighth overall in their Mitsubishi Evo 10 followed by the Subaru Impreza of Grant Rees and Wyn Davies.

Rounding up the top 10 was Wug Utting and his co-driver son Max Utting in their Impreza whilst Neil Gatt and Nick Cadwallader were 12th in their Impreza with Trev Baynham and Anthony Bailey 14th in their Ford Escort - taking maximum points in the Mintex Two Wheel Drive Challenge.

The only crew which failed to finish was Trevor Martin and Ray Cleghorn as they bowed out after stage three with an electrical problem on their Impreza.

The Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship returns with the Pro-Art Signs Swansea Bay National Rally on Saturday 18th July.

SNIPPETS:

Regular ANCRO contestants Steve Perez and Paul Bird were unable to enter the Severn Valley National Rally as they were both competing in the Barbados Rally - I'm not sure where was hotter though!
Encouragingly, two more crews signed up to the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship - Trevor Baynham in his Ford Escort and Neil Gatt in his Impreza.
The battle for the Production Cup honours was so close. On stage five almost two seconds separated Nik Elsmore/Craig Drew, Simon Hughes/Craig Parry and Daniel Barry/Martin Brady. On stage six it got even closer - with one tenth of a second separating Hughes/Parry from Elsmore/Drew and Daniel Barry/Martin Brady - the latter two crews posting the exact same time!

The next round of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship remains in Wales with the Pro-Art Signs Swansea Bay National Rally on July 18th followed by the first-ever trip to the Woodpecker Stages Rally, which is based in England but traverses the Welsh border, for the series on September 5th.
Simon Hughes and Craig Parry were a late entry for the event but it was a worthwhile trip for the pair as they finished fourth overall.
For further information please visit www.severnvalleynational.co.uk and for championship positions and other information, visit www.gravelrally.co.uk.

Results

Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery Hyundai Accent WRC 1:03:01.6
Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield Subaru Impreza 1:03:02.2
Daniel Barry/Martin Brady Mitsubishi Evo 9 1:04:28.6
Simon Hughes/Craig Parry Mitsubishi Evo 9 1:04:58.9
Nik Elsmore/Craig Drew Mitsubishi Evo 9 1:04:59.6
Damian Cole/Patrick Walsh Hyundai Accent WRC 1:05:08.8
Owen Murphy/Dai Roberts Mitsubishi Evo 9 1:06:20.0
Daniel Sigurdarson/Isak Gudjonson Mitsubishi Evo 10 1:06:53.9
Grant Rees/Wyn Davies Subaru Impreza 1:06:55.9
Wug Utting/Max Utting Subaru Impreza 1:07:15.0

2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship Standings after Round Four

1 Daniel Barry 100
2. Marcus Dodd 98
3. Simon Hughes 94
4. Nik Elsmore 86
5. Paul Bird 68

PRESS RELEASE: Friday 22nd May 2009

2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship - Round 5 - Severn Valley National Rally - Sat 30th May 2009

WALES BECKONS FOR ANCRO CREWS

Round five of the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship makes its first of three successive visits to Wales when competitors converge on the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells for the Severn Valley National Rally.

With regular ANCRO front-runners Steve Perez and Paul Bird away contesting Rally Barbados, and so far, second placed Simon Hughes in the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge also not on the provisional entry list, just six registered crews will do battle on the forest tracks of South East Wales as the championship heads into the second half of the season.

Leading the crews away will be four times ANCRO Champion, Marcus Dodd (Poole), who along with co driver Andrew Bargery (Hove) will be looking for another win to add to their successes on the Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally in March and April's Pirelli Tour of Cumbria in their venerable Hyundai Accent WRC.

If Dodd keeps his nose clean and the car performs to its maximum, as far as ANCRO points are concerned at least, it will be hard for anyone to beat him but that won't stop the battle for supremacy in the overall standings as well as the Evo Challenge, especially with series leaders Daniel Barry (Enniskerry) and co driver Martin Brady (Nevan) who slotted in a late entry to maintain their challenge.

Indeed, the battle between the Group N cars will be intense with fellow Evo Challenge runners Nik Elsmore (Coleford) and co driver Craig Drew (Bream) squaring off with Owen Murphy (Kilcrea) and Dai Roberts (Carmarthen) and in the various classes, the Subaru Imprezas of Wug and Max Utting (Smallfield) and Trevor Martin (Medstead) and Ray Cleghorn (Chalfont St Peter) will be entertaining.

Another regular crew, Alan Cookson (Saltash) and Julian Wilkinson (Wandsworth) are also having to miss the Midland Manor Motor Club Ltd event but will be back in action on the Pro-Art Signs Swansea Bay Rally in July.

After four rounds, the points table is headed by Daniel Barry ahead of the absent Hughes (Abergele), who are separated by just four points but Dodd is lurking menacingly in third just a point adrift of the Welshman but with the scoring system of a competitor's best five results from eight rounds counting, the issue of dropped scores is likely to come into play soon.

The Severn Valley National Rally gets underway at 10.00 on Saturday 30th May with around 62 miles of competitive action over seven stages before the finish back at the Royal Welsh Showground at around 17.20.

The Severn Valley National Rally is no different to any other in that it is always looking for more marshals. However, where it does set itself apart is that the organisers go to a great deal of trouble to obtain prizes that 'money can't buy' for their Marshals' Draw. The list so far includes a tour of the M-Sport facility in Cumbria and a day's testing with Marcus Dodd and his HPM Motorsport concern. Anyone wishing to marshal on the day should contact the Chief Marshal, Paul Sansom: Tel: 0118 321 8552/07982 233831/ Email: marshals@SevernValleyNational.co.uk.

PRESS RELEASE: Saturday 9th May 2009

2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship - Round 4 - Manx Telecom Rally - Fri 8th/ Sat 9th May 2009

MANX MAXIMUM FOR BIRD

Despite the changeable conditions that were prevalent throughout the weekend, former ANCRO Champions Paul Bird and Ian Windress saw off the weather as well as the opposition to take a comfortable victory by just under a minute in round four of the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship on the Manx Telecom Rally.

Never having won around the Manx lanes in eight years of trying, the Penrith driver and his Northallerton co driver took maximum points after a controlled drive in their Ford Focus WRC07 to see off championship rivals Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery (Hyundai Accent WRC) and the similar Ford Focus of Steve Perez and Stephen McAuley as well as the major Group N runners to throw the series wide open at the halfway stage.

After clutch problems had beset him on the opening stage last night, Bird bounced back to set fastest time on ten of the next twelve stages to build a lead of over a minute before easing off on the final couple of tests today to ensure his inaugural victory on the Island, to add to the TT successes gained by his motorcycle racing team over the years.

Winner of the previous three rounds, multiple ANCRO champion Dodd had no answer to the 2005 champions on this occasion and was happy to settle for fourth place overall behind the Subarus of non-registered crews Melvyn Evans and Roger Duckworth meaning second placed ANCRO points, with Perez, who seemed eternally blighted by an incorrect tyre choice, one place further back in fifth overall and taking third place on the ANCRO podium.

Championship leaders Daniel Barry and Martin Brady won the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge round ahead of Nik Elsmore/Craig Drew and Simon Hughes/Craig Parry and although all had major moments around the unforgiving Manx lanes, all saw the Douglas finish ramp to add to their various points tallies.

Sadly for Alan Cookson and Julian Wilkinson, they retired their Subaru on SS11 with gearbox problems meaning they were the only registered crew to not finish the tortuous event.

"This is a very important win as I thought that the Manx may just prove elusive and this place means an awful lot to me. I've been close in the past but to win is amazing and vitally important as Marcus was getting a bit of a foothold in the championship. It was a tough event and tyre choice was a nightmare but the boys at TEGSport have done a great job for us and it's great to get that win under our belts this season. The job's a dream and it's time to go and celebrate" said the Cumbrian before asking for the latest information from Monza where his World Superbike Championship team is in action this weekend!

With both Bird and Perez missing the Severn Valley National Rally which comprises the next round of the series on Saturday 30th May, due to their participation in Rally Barbados, Dodd is odds-on favourite to add to his points tally and when the stagger of dropped scores starts to unravel on the following round which also takes place in Wales with the Pro-Art Signs Swansea Bay Stages Rally, the destiny of the title may just become a little clearer.

For full details, including championship positions and other information, visit www.gravelrally.co.uk

Pictures attached (courtesy of www.cmwi.net) Paul Bird and Ian Windress heading for victory, and celebrating their win on today's Manx Telecom Rally.

They Said What...?
(any complaints, see Ciara Conlon...)

"I'm off on a major bender tonight..." You'd have thought Paul Bird had something to celebrate...

"The gearbox is now soup..." It's perhaps some West Country delicacy that Alan Cookson is partial to...

"Wrong tyres AGAIN..." Steve Perez after SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5 - see a pattern emerging...?

"That was good fun..." Nik Elsmore's perverse sense of humour after tackling a very wet SS1 on slicks...

"Even the bloody spare was wrong..." Steve Perez punctured and only had a slick in the boot...

"I'm a big boy and I can handle it..." Not sure if Nik Elsmore's muscle strain had anything to do with it...

"I hit two bumps, spun in the ditch and bounced off the last one..." Simon Hughes enlightens us as to this fifth-gear three-sixty degree spin...

"He speaks a strange enough language as it is..." ANCRO's Rick Smith comments as to Ulsterman Stephen McAuley who replaced Swede Staffan Parmander in Perez's Focus.

"We've got some feathers in the front grill; I don't know where they came from..." Probably some little unsuspecting 'Bird', Ian...

"It's harder to drive flat out than at eight tenths..." Some Irish logic in there Mr Barry...

"That was the toughest rally of my life..." says Martin Brady, who has done a few...

"There was no point in crashing so I backed off..." Marcus Dodd adopts the sensible approach...

Manx Telecom Rally Results

1 Paul Bird/Ian Windress (Ford Focus WRC 07) 1:27:59.5
2 Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) 1:28:56.4
3 Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1:29:29.3
4 Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery (Hyundai Accent WRC) 1:29:36.1
5 Steve Perez/Stephen McAuley (Ford Focus 07 WRC) 1:31:36.1
6 George Collister/Janet Craine (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3) 1:33:43.6
7 David Mann/Alun Cook (Subaru Impreza) 1:34:05.4
8 Daniel Barry/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 1:34:54.6
9 Wayne Sisson/Daniel Stone (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 1:35:20.4
10 Nik Elsmore/Craig Drew (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo) 9 1:36:04.4

Provisional 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship Standings after Round Four

1 Daniel Barry 78
2 Simon Hughes 74
3 Marcus Dodd 73
4 Paul Bird 68
5 Nik Elsmore 67
6 Steve Perez 63
7= Alan Cookson 47
7= Owen Murphy 47
9 Alan Carmichael 43
10 Sean Devine 25

PRESS RELEASE: Thursday 9th April 2009

Round 3 - Pirelli Tour of Cumbria - Saturday 18th April 2009

PIRELLI MSA GRAVEL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE RESUMES IN KIELDER

The first of two brand new events in the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship takes place next Saturday and the Pirelli Tour of Cumbria could prove pivotal in the race for ANCRO honours this season.

After all missed out on Rallye Sunseeker, defending champion Marcus Dodd (Poole) narrowly saw off former champs Steve Perez (Chesterfield) and Paul Bird (Penrith) on last month's Brick and Steel Border Counties Rally to claim maximum points but the two Ford Focus drivers will be hoping to turn the tables on the Hyundai ace as the crews return for another salvo in the daunting Kielder Forest complex.

The Carlisle-based event will see a dozen registered crews in action over eight stages totalling nearly seventy miles and whereas the leaderboard is headed by a couple of Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge runners in the shape of Daniel Barry (Enniskerry) and Simon Hughes (Abergele), it should only be a matter of time before the 'big guns' start topping the points table but as the old adage goes: 'in order to finish first, first you have to finish...'

Dodd and co driver Andrew Bargery (Hove) know how unforgiving the Kielder ditches can be after one claimed them on last year's Border Counties and Bird, along with co driver Ian Windress (Northallerton), champions in 2005, were bitten by a log pile earlier this season in the Lake District which badly damaged their Ford Focus WRC07. 2004 winner Perez and co driver Paul Spooner (Raglan) slid out of the rally in Bournemouth's season opener in his 07 car too, so it's by no means a foregone conclusion all three will see the finish ramp, but if they do, it is anyone's guess as to in what order.

Irishman Barry and co driver Martin Brady (Nevan) along with Welsh counterpart Hughes and his co driver Craig Parry (Oswestry) will resume battle in Group N and are expected to show well and add to their points tally but soon they will need to drop points as in this year's series, a competitor's best five scores from eight rounds count so they need to be thinking in terms of a podium, like they scored on Rallye Sunseeker.

The tag of 'Mr Consistency' as far as the WRC contingent goes should be attributed to Alan Cookson (Saltash) and co driver Julian Wilkinson (Wandsworth) in their Subaru and they'll be looking to improve on their 7th and 6th place finishes so far and after much-publicised problems in recent weeks, Charlie Payne (Ripon) and Craig Thorley (Pocklington) will be after a good result in their Mitsubishi WRC Step 2.

If any of the fancied runners slip up, then it could well be one of the other Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge and ANCRO Group N runners who benefit such as Nik Elsmore (Coleford), Owen Murphy (Kilcrea) and Alan Carmichael (Co Antrim) as they are all currently in the top six of the overall standings.

Trevor Martin and Ray Cleghorn make a welcome return to the ANCRO fold in their Subaru and the legendary Steve Bannister (Malton) along with Scottish co driver Louise Sutherland have recently announced they will challenge for honours in the Mintex Two Wheel Drive Championship in their Ford Escort Mk2.

The Pirelli Tour of Cumbria gets underway at 10.15 from Carlisle Racecourse whereafter crews tackle the Kielder classics of Pundershaw, Trinket, Roughside and Chirdonhead before returning to service followed by the second loop later in the day and the finish back at Carlisle Racecourse around 18.40.

For full details, including spectator information, go to www.pirelliinternationalrally.co.uk and for championship positions and other information, visit www.gravelrally.co.uk

2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship Standings after Round Two

1 Daniel Barry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 41
2 Simon Hughes (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 38
3 Alan Cookson (Subaru Impreza WRC) 33
4 Nik Elsmore (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 32
5 Owen Murphy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 31
6 Alan Carmichael (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 29
7 Marcus Dodd (Hyundai Accent WRC) 26
8 Sean Devine (Subaru Impreza WRC) 25
9 Steve Perez (Ford Focus WRC) 23
10 Paul Bird (Ford Focus WRC) 21

PRESS RELEASE: Saturday 22nd March 2009

Round 2 - Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally, Jedburgh - Friday 20/Saturday 21 March 2009

DODD TAKES VICTORY IN BORDER BATTLE

Defending champions Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery claimed the honours for a second time as they won this weekend's Brick & Steel Border Counties National Rally.

After non-scoring in the opening round on Rallye Sunseeker, the pair, in their Hyundai Accent WRC, took maximum points in the second round of the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship as they finished a narrow five seconds ahead of the Ford Focus WRC of former champion Steve Perez and co-driver Paul Spooner on the Jedburgh-based event.

"I'm pleased with the win. The rally's been good and the stages were the smoothest I've seen them in a while. I've enjoyed it," Dodd said.

Perez and Spooner had carved out a 28 second lead by stage four but an overshoot in the fifth test cost them around 30 seconds and Dodd/Bargery took advantage and never looked back, despite a ten second penalty for a cone infringement on stage five.

Dodd and Bargery had a couple of other issues also when they lost time after they left the road in stage four and had a problem with a water pump on the run out to the last two tests.

Another pair of former champions, Paul Bird and co-driver Ian Windress, finished third in their Ford Focus WRC despite a puncture on the final stage after Bird gained in confidence following on from their accident two weeks ago on the Cumbria-based Malcolm Wilson Rally.

Irish crew Dan Barry and Martin Brady took victory in the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge and the Production Cup as they finished fourth overall. The pair had a few problems throughout the event, including a puncture in stage four and a clutch problem in stage five.

They beat Welshman Simon Hughes and co-driver Craig Parry in their Evo whilst Scottish duo Willie Bonniwell and Neil Ewing were sixth in their Subaru Impreza. Alan Cookson and Julian Wilkinson took seventh in their Subaru Impreza WRC followed by Irishmen Owen Murphy and co-driver Dai Roberts in their Evo.

Murphy and Roberts had an eventful time with an overshoot in stage two losing them 20 seconds and they also lost third gear. They also had to contend with a misfire on stage five but Roberts took the junior co-driver award.

Alan Carmichael and Ivor Lamont claimed ninth in their Evo after a relatively trouble-free run. They did, however, struggle with overheated brakes through the fifth test. Nik Elsmore and Craig Drew rounded-up the top ten but they lost time on stage four when they got stuck behind Charlie Payne and Craig Thorley before a puncture lost them four minutes in stage five.

The only ANCRO crew not to make it home was Payne and Thorley. They rolled on the fourth stage in their Mitsubishi Evo WRC and, despite not appearing to have sustained more damage than cracked windows; a vibration in the following stage brought a premature end to their event.

The 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship will return with the Carlisle-based Pirelli Tour of Cumbria Rally on Saturday 17th April.

For full details, including spectator information, go to www.bordercountiesrally.co.uk and for championship positions, visit www.gravelrally.co.uk

Results

1 Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery (Hyundai Accent WRC) 57:33.7
2 Steve Perez/Paul Spooner (Ford Focus WRC 07) 57:39.4
3 Paul Bird/Ian Windress (Ford Focus WRC 07) 57:58.2
4 Daniel Barry/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 59:09.9
5 Simon Hughes/Craig Parry (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 59:56.4
6 Willie Bonniwell/Neil Ewing (Subaru Impreza) 1:00:16.0
7 Alan Cookson/Julian Wilkinson (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1:02:16.2
8 Owen Murphy/Dai Roberts (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) 1:03:22.4
9 Alan Carmichael/Ivor Lamont (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1:05:08.4
10 Nik Elsmore/Craig Drew (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 1:05:53.0

Provisional Championship Positions (after round 2)

1 Daniel Barry 41
2 Simon Hughes 38
3 Alan Cookson 33
4 Nik Elsmore 32
5 Owen Murphy 31
6 Alan Carmichael 29
7 Marcus Dodd 26
8 Sean Devine 25
9 Steve Perez 23
10 Paul Bird 21

14th March 2009

Round 2 - Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally, Jedburgh - Friday 20/Saturday 21 March 2009

ANCRO BIG GUNS LOOK FOR POINTS IN KIELDER

Played one, lost one...

That's the demographic that makes uneasy reading for the top three in the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship after the opening salvo in Bournemouth last month.

Defending champion Marcus Dodd, as well as former champs Paul Bird and Steve Perez all failed to see the finish ramp on Rallye Sunseeker so as they head north to Kielder forest, they know a good score is imperative on the Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally if they are to mount a successful bid for the 2009 crown.

Perez, along with co driver Paul Spooner, beached his ex Marcus Gronholm Ford Focus WRC 07 early on in Dorset and a stage later, Dodd and co driver Andrew Bargery, went out with engine problems in the Hyundai Accent WRC. That left Bird and co driver Ian Windress to take advantage but their bid for glory fell three stages short when an electrical fault when leading sidelined the recently acquired Ford Focus WRC 07.

But the omens aren't good as Dodd doesn't have fond memories after rolling there last year and Bird and Perez, neither of whom contested the Whickham & District Motor Club and Hawick & Borders Car Club-organised event last year, have had their share of problems on the event in the past. Perez won last weekend's Malcolm Wilson Rally whereas arch-rival Bird crashed out meaning a hasty repair job to get the severely damaged Focus fixed in time for the two-day event based in Jedburgh.

ANCRO series leader Sean Devine is not on the current entry list so it could well be one of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo Challenge and ANCRO Group N runners who emerge top of the leaderboard come next Saturday evening as Irishman Daniel Barry leads Welshman Simon Hughes but they'll come under pressure from the likes of Nik Elsmore, Alan Carmichael and Owen Murphy.

Yorkshireman Charlie Payne will tackle his fourth rally in as many weekends following an amazing feat by his MSR Motorsport team who have re-shelled the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC in just four days following his Malcolm Wilson crash and he's hoping this weekend's run on the Riponian is kinder to him, and West Country driver Alan Cookson grabbed a smart points haul in round one and the Subaru driver will be looking for more of the same up in Scotland,

Crews tackle two night stages in Wauchope Forest on Friday evening before the remaining five stages take place on the classic Kielder tracks on Saturday.

For full details, including spectator information, go to www.bordercountiesrally.co.uk and for championship positions, visit www.gravelrally.co.uk

Top Ten
1 Steve Perez/Paul Spooner (Ford Focus WRC 07)
2 Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery (Hyundai Accent WRC)
3 Paul Bird/Ian Windress (Ford Focus WRC)
4 Daniel Barry/Martin Brady (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
5 Jock Armstrong/Kirsty Riddick (Subaru Impreza)
6 David Bogie/Kevin Rae (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
7 Simon Hughes/Craig Parry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
8 Mike Faulkner/Peter Foy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)
9 Charlie Payne/Craig Thorley (Mitsubishi Lancer WRC)
10 Nik Elsmore/Craig Drew (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)

Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship Standings after Round One
1 Sean Devine 25
2 Daniel Barry 22
3 Simon Hughes 20
4 Anthony Willmington 19
5 Andreas Magnusson 18

2009 Events
Round 1 - 27/28th February - Rallye Sunseeker, Bournemouth
Round 2 - 21st March - Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally, Jedburgh
Round 3 - 18th April - Pirelli Tour of Cumbria, Carlisle
Round 4 - 8/9th May - RBS International Manx Rally, Douglas
Round 5 - 30th May - Severn Valley Rally, Builth Wells
Round 6 - 18th July - Swansea Bay Rally, Swansea
Round 7 - 5th September - Woodpecker Rally, Ludlow
Round 8 - 26th September - Trackrod Rally, Pickering

PRESS RELEASE: Saturday 28th February 2009

2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship - Round 1 - Rallye Sunseeker, Bournemouth

DEVINE INTERVENTION AS SEAN WINS

Although not winning the event outright, Irishman Sean Devine took maximum points on the opening round of the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship after a concerted effort on Rallye Sunseeker today.

Driving the ex Mikko Hirvonen Subaru WRC S11, the Ulsterman from Strabane and co-driver Francis Regan showed no ill effects from not competing on gravel since last September to claim third place overall on the Bournemouth-based event.

Following Devine home in fourth place overall was the first of the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge drivers Dan Barry who overcame late problems along with co-driver Martin Brady, and Welshman Simon Hughes claimed third place ANCRO points on his debut on the event along with co-driver Patrick Walsh. They edged out the local crew of Anthony Willmington and co-driver Andrew White who were making a welcome return in their Mitsubishi Evo 6.

Swede Andreas Magnusson, West Country driver Nik Elsmore and Yorkshireman Charlie Payne were next up ahead of Alan Cookson, Owen Murphy and Alan Carmichael.

Following on from last night's drama which saw Geoff Underhill and Adrian Grinsted crash out in their Subaru, three of the main Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship contenders never saw the finish ramp either.

Defending champions Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery were blazing a trail at the front in their Hyundai Accent WRC when cambelt failure forced them out on SS6.

2004 Champion Steve Perez along with co-driver Paul Spooner retired their Ford Focus WRC 07 on only the third stage of the day after heading into a ditch.

The third of the former champions to go out was Paul Bird and co-driver Ian Windress in the newly acquired Ford Focus WRC, when an electrical problem forced them out on SS10 when leading.

The rally was won by local driver Will Nicholls who, along with co-driver Nick Broom, took a debut victory on the event in their Subaru with former ANCRO Champions Roger Duckworth and Mark Broomfield second in their Subaru but neither were eligible for points due to not being registered in the Championship.

The battle now moves on to Kielder Forest in three weeks' time with the Brick and Steel Border Counties Rally and with Devine unsure as to his participation, and the 'Big Three' looking to make amends, it is expected to be a great battle as the Championship hots up.

Overall Result
1, Will Nicholls/Nick Broom - Subaru - 56:14.0
2, Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield - Subaru - 56:36.7
3, Sean Devine/Francis Regan - Subaru - 58:05.2
4, Daniel Barry/Martin Brady - Mitsubishi - 58:43.0
5, Simon Hughes/Patrick Walsh - Mitsubishi - 58:45.8
6, Anthony Willmington/Andrew White - Mitsubishi - 58:52.9
7, Andreas Magnusson/Henrik Hulterskog - Mitsubishi - 58:57.8
8, Nik Elsmore/Craig Drew - Mitsubishi - 59:02.2
9, Charlie Payne/Craig Thorley - Mitsubishi - 59:02.9
10, Alan Cookson/Julian Wilkinson - Subaru - 59:30.5

Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship Standings
(Provisional after Round 1)
1, Sean Devine 25pts
2, Daniel Barry 22pts
3, Simon Hughes 20pts
4, Anthony Willmington 19pts
5, Andreas Magnusson 18pts
6, Nik Elsmore 17pts
7, Charlie Payne 16pts
8, Alan Cookson 15pts
9, Owen Murphy 14pts
10, Alan Carmichael 13pts

For further information and full Championship positions go to www.gravelrally.co.uk.

PRESS RELEASE: 21st February 2009

Round 1 - Rallye Sunseeker, Bournemouth - Friday 27/Saturday 28 February 2009

BOURNEMOUTH BLAST OFF!

The eagerly anticipated battle for the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship gets underway next weekend when crews from all over the UK converge on the seaside resort of Bournemouth for the annual ANCRO season opener as the 24th annual Rallye Sunseeker bursts into life.

Six-times event winner and very much the local hero Marcus Dodd from nearby Poole along with co-driver Andrew Bargery from just down the coast at Hove, are looking to defend their title once again in their Hyundai Accent WRC and whilst the pair will start the Southern Car Club and Croydon & DMC organised event as favourites, there is the usual class entry following Dodd away from the start in Bournemouth on Friday evening.

Whereas Dodd is the reigning Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Champion having landed the crown four times in total, he faces stiff opposition as heading the challenge will be three former champions who are making a welcome return to the fold.

Roger Duckworth took the honours in 1998 and he's back for another crack at the title in his venerable Subaru and having missed last year due to injury, 2004 winner Steve Perez has a latest version Ford Focus WRC at his disposal. Paul Bird sat out most of last year but the flamboyant chicken farmer is back for a full season this year in his Subaru and hoping to reclaim the title he last won in 2005.

The rivalry between Perez and Bird is legendary in recent Rallye Sunseeker history - the loser traditionally pays for Saturday night out - but they, as well as Dodd and Duckworth, will be having to look to their rear view mirrors with the likes of Will Nicholls (Subaru WRC), Charlie Payne (Mitsubishi WRC) and Steve Hendy (Ford Focus WRC) as well as the Subarus of Irishman Sean Devine and West Countryman Alan Cookson.

Once again, the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge kicks off in Bournemouth with a host of drivers intent on emulating David Bogie's 2008 success. England's Nik Elsmore and Simon Hughes as well as Irishman Daniel Barry lead the field as all the contenders set out on the long road to success.

Other drivers who could make a splash on the two day event include Peter Egerton (Hyundai), Geoff Underhill (Subaru) and Melis Charalambous (Skoda Octavia WRC) plus there's a pair of iconic MG Metro 6R4s competing in the hands of Stuart Larbey and Richard Smith who take part in the festivities that aim to traditionally celebrate the legendary marque on Rallye Sunseeker.

The international flavour is represented by a trio of Icelandic visitors in the shape of Andreas Magnusson, Hans-Erik Wung and Daniel Sigurdarson whereas Barbados driver Neil Armstrong will be behind the wheel of another Mitsubishi as part of a Rally Barbados promotion.

In the Mintex Two Wheel Drive Championship, the likes of Tom Walster (Renault Clio), Tony Jardine (Ford Fiesta) and Rod Bennett (Fiat Stilo) will be battling it out and as well as the main field, there are a dozen spectacular Land Rovers set to entertain the huge crowds expected on the South coast.

Throw in the cosmopolitan mix of 71-years-young veteran Harry Dodd (Hyundai Accent WRC), fast lady Shelley Taunt (Subaru) and Doctors Simon Dowdeswell and Keiron Bhargavar (Land Rover) and the scene is set for a typically exciting curtain raiser to the National rally scene.The event gets underway from Canford Arena at 18.25hrs on the Friday with crews tackling the Bournemouth seafront stage twice in reverse order from 19.00hrs before the event proper starts on Saturday morning with the traditional loops around the forests and stately homes of Ringwood and Wareham.

More details, including entry lists, spectator information and maps etc on the event can be found at www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk and information on the Pirelli MSA National Gravel Rally Championship is listed at www.gravelrally.co.uk

2009 Events
Round 1 - 27/28th February - Rallye Sunseeker, Bournemouth
Round 2 - 21st March - Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally, Jedburgh
Round 3 - 18th April - Pirelli Tour of Cumbria, Carlisle
Round 4 - 8/9th May - RBS International Manx Rally, Douglas
Round 5 - 30th May - Severn Valley Rally, Builth Wells
Round 6 - 18th July - Swansea Bay Rally, Swansea
Round 7 - 5th September - Woodpecker Rally, Ludlow
Round 8 - 26th September - Trackrod Rally, Pickering

PRESS RELEASE: 15th January 2009

NEW INNOVATIONS FOR 2009 PIRELLI MSA GRAVEL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Further to the announcement of dates in October last year regarding the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship, regulations are now available for the eight round series.

The Association of National Championship Rally Organisers (ANCRO) is delighted to announce a second successive year of sponsorship from Pirelli Tyres and along with a number of exciting innovations planned for 2009, it is hoped that competitors new and old will contest the series.

As well as incorporating rounds of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge and the introduction of the recently announced Mintex Two-Wheel Drive Championship, the various car manufacturers are being encouraged back with the re-introduction of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Manufacturers Award for both Group N and Group A cars. There will be no registration fees applicable to manufacturers in a bid to encourage as many as possible to compete.

In addition, the class structure has been radically rationalised from thirteen down to nine in order to enhance the competition and out of the eight rounds, competitors' best five scores count towards the championship.

Competitors in all classes must use Pirelli tyres for the 2009 Championship in both wet and dry patterns and these must only be purchased from Pirelli via their designated outlet, ATL Events. Each competitor must have their tyres branded by Pirelli before starting any event and any competitor who uses unbranded tyres will not be eligible to score championship points.

Martin Pallot, Pirelli's Motorsports and Events Manager said: "We're delighted to be associated with ANCRO and that they have chosen to use our control tyre. It underlines our commitment and allows everyone a level playing field whilst allowing Pirelli to move the championship forward. It is very important to support the sport and allow the younger drivers to emerge and we're pushing hard in that direction. Our support will hopefully allow the championship to grow through 2009 and well into the future."

Four times National Rally Champion Marcus Dodd, who has won the ANCRO Championship for the past two years said: "I've got a good track record on Pirelli tyres with some excellent results and the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship really is one of the best there is what with the superb events and great cars and drivers. I'm thoroughly looking forward to the 2009 season."

ANCRO's Rick Smith and Director of Rallye Sunseeker, which comprises the opening round of the 2009 Championship said: "2009 really is going to be an interesting year, with several innovations, new events, revised classes and a control tyre, only five from eight events to count, plus the fantastic 2WD offer, we truly believe that it is offering competitors good value for money."

Further information and regulations/registration forms are now available at www.gravelrally.co.uk

2009 Events
Round 1 - 27/28th February - Rallye Sunseeker, Bournemouth
Round 2 - 21st March - Brick & Steel Border Counties Rally, Jedburgh
Round 3 - 18th April - Pirelli Tour of Cumbria, Carlisle
Round 4 - 8/9th May - RBS International Manx Rally, Douglas
Round 5 - 30th May - Severn Valley Rally, Builth Wells
Round 6 - 18th July - Swansea Bay Rally, Swansea
Round 7 - 5th September - Woodpecker Rally, Ludlow
Round 8 - 26th September - Trackrod Rally, Pickering

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