Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Crews set for BCCC title showdown
Presently leading the championship is Warrington’s Mike Moran on 360 points. Moran’s BMW-diesel powered AT 4x4 Challenger has been fitted with new propshafts after problems with the front one on the last round meant he did most of day two in rear wheel drive, emulating a Mk2 Escort on several of the courses corners.
Moran commented: “Walters can be a car killer but ours has a robust frame which can handle the bouncing off banks and ditches that we’ll have to do to try and keep up with the more powerful petrol cars. We’ll be going flat out to get a trophy!”
In second place currently, on 337 points, is Paul Myers from championship sponsor Britpart. Myers has put in consistently good performances on every round this year in his Land Rover Special and he is looking to finish off the season with another good result.
2011 champion Ian Rochelle is in an excellent position to defend his title. He lies third after round five on 335 points but after a retirement earlier in the season he will be able to count all the points he gets at the weekend whereas Moran and Myers will have to drop points. A win at Walters would see him triumph in the title battle.
“We’ve fitted a cam seal retaining kit so the problems we have had all year with the seals popping out cannot strike again,” said Rochelle. “It’s great that the title battle has come down to the last round and I am massively excited about getting out there again.”
In the Trophy championship Alan Thomas leads the title race on 406 points ahead of Mark Jacques on 358. Adam Bridgman hopes to be contesting round six but he faces a last minute battle to get his car ready as the gearbox is still broken from the previous round.
Nick Lines still leads the Freelanders going into round six despite missing round five. Chris Ratter is in second place.
The action will start at 10am on Saturday with a full day of competition. Sunday’s runs will start at 9am. More information is available on www.marches4x4.com.
Monday, 10 September 2012
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Title battle down to the wire as Rochelle wins again
Rochelle took an early lead in the Ednol Hill event, leading Kershaw’s Milner R5 by 16 seconds after the opening run. He continued to lead throughout the opening day despite numerous problems with a damaged seal which was causing oil to leak from his Millington Phoenix.
Kershaw’s challenge ended near the end of day one after suffering engine problems leaving Rochelle with a lead of over four minutes from second-placed Martin Cox after 7 runs.
Rochelle obtained parts to enable his car to be properly fixed ready for the start of day two and he maintained his lead over the day’s six runs to claim maximum championship points.
“The problem we had on day one was the same we had at round three but fortunately we were able to get it fixed throughout the day and then do a proper fix once we got new parts,” said Rochelle. “With Richard out of the event and a good lead over Martin day two was a case of driving for the finish and I am very pleased we achieved that, it sets up a great battle for the final round. It was a phenomenal course, it had a bit of everything to test the cars and the crews.”
Cox remained in second despite a last-minute scare when the fuel pressure warning light came on right at the end of his final run.
“I’m very pleased with second, I don’t have the pace of the top guys and I’m still learning the new car but it’s a good result and I enjoyed the weekend” commented Cox.
In third place, taking his best ever BCCC result, was Richard Wynn-Williams in his AT4x4 206. Paul Myers was fourth in his Land Rover 100 with Mike Moran, who did half of day two in rear wheel drive, rounding off the top five.
“We were like Roger Clark in a Mk2 Escort doing fantastic powerslides for the last three runs as I’d to remove the propshaft after a few problems,” said Moran. “My times weren’t much slower so I wonder why I bother with four wheel drive! The course was excellent and I’m a happy bunny with a smile on my face after the result – it’s not bad for an old bloke in a diesel.”
Paul Harris took his GSR Maxilight to a win in the Trophy class with Chris Ratter the top Freelander Challenge driver. Michael Hannak won the Clubman category in his Milner R5 with a time that would have won the event overall had he been entered in the championship. The 2012 championship will conclude at Walters Arena on 13/14 October.
BCCC Results
1. Ian Rochelle/Chris Hammond (Millington Phoenix) 1h 46m 55s
2. Martin Cox/Paul Carson (GSR 206) +4m 06s;
3. Richard Wynn-Williams/ Ian Jones (AT 4x4 206) +6m 20s;
4. Paul Myers/Andrew Walker (Land Rover 100) +7m 19s;
5. Mike Moran/Tony Coid (AT 4x4 Challenger) +9m 09s;
6. Phil Ibbotson/Will Jefferson (Metro 6R4 Evo) +12m 50s;
7. Richard Green/Richard Griffiths (Bowler Tomcat) +19m 57s;
8. Greg Morris/Alastair Moore-Myers (Bowler Wildcat) + 34m 47s;
9. Steve Smith/John Griffiths (JRG Clio) +38m 15s;
10. Paul Waldron/Neil Waldron (TMC) +52m 12s
BCCC Trophy winner: Paul Harris/Claire Harris (GSR Maxilight)
Freelander Challenge winner: Chris Ratter/Barney Gillespie (Freelander)
Clubman winner: Michael Hannak/David Hannak (Milner R5 V8)
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