The eighth round of the 1997 Speedsport Design Clubmans Rally Championship - The Palladwr Rally - started from Wincanton racecourse on the l6th November on a dull and drizzly day with 48 starters, of whom only four failed to finish, writes Lynn Jackson.
The event consisted of six regularity sections and seven autotests in a very compact but challenging route around the Wiltshire/Somerset borders. After a few days of heavy rain, some of the tests left the cars in a not quite pristine condition, especially the first at Witham Farm.
The tricky navigation on the afternoon section caused a few casualties and unfortunately a total of seven crews were excluded from the results for failing to stop and give way. There were also a few complaints about the roadworks on the A303, but the organisers had tried their best to allow for this... it was just unfortunate that there were so many `Sunday drivers' on the road!
Andy Gibson again decided to take the wheel rather than the romer and actually posted fastest times on five of the tests in his Post Historic MGB, finishing second in that category (third overall had they been taken into account). Nick Robinson/Dave Broxham continued their highly successful season by once more bringing the little Datsun home as first Post Historic. Rebecca and Dominic Barron took third Post Historic in their Mini.
Overall historic winners were Paul Channon and Robin Mclachlan in the MGA Twin Cam, who were not registered for the championship because Paul always lets Robin drive the tests, barring them from scoring any points .
Highest historic Championship finishers were Matthew Collier/Paul Doe in the A40, coming fourth overall and almost 10 minutes ahead of Peter Pratt/Julie Eaglen's TR2, which put both crews second in their respective classes. Helen and Jonathan Andrews were first in Class B2, winning yet another trophy for their cabinet (but this time they were there to collect it!). James McDonald scored his highest position this season in the VW Beetle by having Dave Wilson as his navigator - Dave seems determined to confuse Championship coordinator by changing drivers and classes at almost every event!
Despite the few grumbles about traffic hold-ups and exclusions, the Palladwr once again proved a popular rally. Pete Lawrence made this year his swansong as Clerk of the Course and it has been suggested that a certain ex-Speedsport champion by the name of `Appleton the Younger' may take up the reins next year...