Fortunately the overnight snow had caused little problem at Donington Park, but it did make the opening stage of the rally particularly interesting.
Michael Igoe and Will Atkins were out for the first time in a Citroen C3 R5 and had a massive spin sequence on the main straight, before spinning again exiting a chicane. “I just had no grip and lost it before I had even touched the brakes,” he explained. John Griffiths/Emma Morrison’s Fiesta R5 was forced to spin in avoidance of Igoe’s second incident and spent the rest of the stage in his wheeltracks. Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt came out on top in their Metro 6R4, with an eight second lead over Dave Welch/Andy Smith’s Subaru Impreza. “I was short shifting for grip but still had a spin though,” Jasper added. Ash Furlong/Fiona Crump’s amazing Renault Clio was third quickest, “didn’t realise we were that quick, we just went for it,” he admitted. Ollie O’Donovan/Jack Morton’s Hyundai i20 R5 had gone for the “cautious approach” and were fourth best, despite stalling on the infield, with Griffiths and Paul Sheard/Colin Stephens’ Mazda MX5 completing the initial top six.
Most of the slush had gone for the second stage and both Igoe and Griffiths were back on the pace. Jasper managed to increase his lead to 10 seconds, but Griffiths was in second, from O’Donovan, with Igoe a further eight seconds back in fourth. Welch had slipped to fifth with Phil House/Nick Beaumont’s Escort sixth and leading two-wheel drive, as Furlong was now seventh and being caught by Paul Murro/Callum Cross’s Fiesta R5, who was recovering from a “big moment” on the Craner Curves. Paul Morgan/Sam Stafford’s Honda Civic and Alasdair Stables/Neil Jones’ Chevette HSR completed the top 10.
Igoe topped the times for the second consecutive stage to take the lead on stage three, by just one second from sper, but Griffiths had overshot one of the chicanes and was now four seconds down in third, with a four second cushion over fourth placed O’Donovan. Welch was still fifth, despite an incident. “I had moved over to let Igoe through, but missed my braking point and hit him and the chicane,” he explained. House and Murro were tied for sixth, with Martin Hodgson/Tony Jones’ Escort up to eighth, after a “disastrous” first stage.
Morgan and Stables were still ninth and 10th, but Furlong was out after a gearbox bolt sheared and snapped an engine mount.
By the end of SS4 the lead was up to 25 seconds, “we have tried different settings but we were starting to get used to it, very different to the Fiesta R5,” Igoe explained. O’Donovan was into second though, with Jasper third, but Griffiths had lost more time. “I was just pushing too hard, hit the tyre wall spun and stalled,” he admitted. With Welch still fifth, Murro was a clear sixth, after House had a stall, but both visibility and temperature were beginning to fall again as the final pair of stages were prepared.
O’Donovan went quickest on stage five, which helped him consolidate second, while Griffiths had made it back to third at Jasper’s expense. But Murro’s hopes of catching Welch for fifth were dashed when he spun in a gateway.
Igoe came through the final stage unscathed to take victory by 12 seconds, with Griffiths a further 14 seconds back in third. Jasper was unlucky when after starting the stage with an 18 second cushion over Welch, he had problems. “It just cut out on me,” he said. ” Both Welch and Murro moved up and Jasper was left to complete the top six. In seventh House had been coming under pressure from Hodgson and expected to be caught. But Hodgson’s manifold broke, lost engine braking and ended the day in the gravel trap. Stables and Morgan therefore moved to eighth and ninth, with James Garner/Jordan Joines’ Darrian snatching a late 10th from Chris White/Jason Harris’ Escort.
Jasper had led Welch all day in Class B, but his last stage demise handed Welch the class, with Sam Gendy/Samantha Bartlett’s Mitsubishi E9 third all day and well clear of Ian Jarvis/Harry Walshaw’s similar car. Stables had led Morgan and Tim Baker/Neil Hallworth’s Talbot Sunbeam in Class C after the opening stage, but after two it was Morgan in front with a one second gap to Stables. But Hodgson jumped them both on stage three and led until his off on the last stage. Stables and Morgan were left tied for the win, but Stables clinched it on the tie break. Baker had picked up a 30 second penalty so Garner secured third, with Nigel/Catherine Brain’s Mazda MX5 fourth. Furlong and House disputed Class D early on, but once Furlong had retired House had a clear run. White was in second from half distance, with fellow Escort crews Andrew Turner/John Cope and Anthony Allery/Richard Bonner completing the top four.
Although Sheard led Class E from the start, he couldn’t hold off Sam/Joe Duffy’s Lotus Elise. Duffy led from stage three but had concerns on the final stages. “We broke something in the transmission at the start of stage five, so just hoped for the best. They still won the class by 39 seconds, but it was Daniel Poole/Kris Coombes’ Corsa second, with Sheard third after collecting a 30 second penalty for hitting a chicane. Harry Pinchin/Colin Jenkins’ Citroen C2 was fourth.
Class A belonged to Matt/Adrian Walk’s Fiesta all day. Callum/Dani Power’s Mini edged ahead of Chris Worrall/Jonathan Hudson’s Nissan Micra for second, while Kay Thompson/Robert Wiggins’ Micra completed the top four.
Published by Peter Scherer for Dukeries MC, December 4th 2023
