|
The Rally in the Park raised £1000
for project Stedfast, helping to build schools in
Kenya for young children.
The exhausted Duns crew of Archie and Richard Simmonds
confidently won the Rally in the Park Cup after a gruelling but exciting set of
tests around Balado Park, home of T in the Park, on Sunday 18th March 2007. A series of tests that were tandemmed as the day progressed led to longer
and longer runs for the crews to enjoy. The final run of the day took some four
to five minutes to complete. "Make sure you have some oxygen at the end"
reported Archie before setting off on the final test.
Stuart and Linda Cariss in their Mk1 Escort, hot from the
Saltire 3 weeks earlier, were second overall, and winners of the over 1600cc
class.
Brian Middlemas and his famous red Avenger took the post
historic under 1600cc class place. Teaming up with Steve Grigor the borderer
certainly knows how to throw the tail out and give the spectators a thrilling
view. Brian also collected the best presented car of the day.
Neil Morrison brought his Austin Healey Sprite, but
steadfastly refused to take the top off. He must be getting too old for the
ravages of the Scottish weather! With Matthew Alexander calling the turns he
stole the class win from Alan Barwick and Stuart Mains in the Magenta by a mere
10 seconds on the day. Regulars Liz Swan and Suzanne Mitchell again teamed up in
the bright blue, perfectly prepared Renault 8. Unfortunately they should have
tied the trolley jack down a little more securely. It broke loose and tripped
the engine cut out stopping them in the first test! After a few minutes peering
into the engine bay the penny dropped and a fix quickly put in place.
In the up to 1000cc class the Clan Crusader of Tony Grundy and
Gerry Grant took the shield. As the only other entry in the class, the Imp of
Scott and Chris Clements, retired on test 4 with terminal ignition problems, it
was a fairly easy victory as long as the car reached the end.
The Balado Trophy, for cars built after 1974, was won by John
Bertram and Gordon Thomson in another Escort, with Kevin Clark and Tom Leeming
in a Talbot Sunbeam chasing them all the way and securing the class trophy. The
two Sunbeam Talbots entered on the day, the other driven by Ross Butterworth,
like Middlemas's Avenger, were entertaining to the crowds as they pirouetted,
tails a swinging, round the cones. However it was another borderer, Stuart
Kellett in his Nova GTE with Michael Trafford that took third place.
In the under 1400cc class of the Balado Trophy, Robbie and
Bert Beattie charged home in a Peugeot 205 to steal the prize from another
flyer, Richard Bartnicezk and Donald Johnstone in a Peugeot 106 Rallye by only
23 seconds overall.
Download
Full Results
|
A white covering of snow welcomed the eyes when opening the
curtains on Sunday 18 March. Balado was thankfully clear though bitterly cold as
the 48 entries gathered at Kinross Services for the ritual bacon buttie and hot
drink before setting off. The historics headed for the old airfield at Balado
whilst the moderns took the scenic route to the racing circuit at Knockhill for
a series of tests. The organisers were a little
concerned when Knockhill reported their track day cancelled due to ice under
snow on the track!!!! We however were using a side car park which though wet and
slippery was quite safe for tests. (phew!)
A big thanks to all the competitors who took
part and their contribution to Project Stedfast, which will receive £1000 to put
towards a new school in Kenya. Whilst the government in Kenya will educate their
children, they have no spare funds to build schools. This money will go to
the BB fund helping to provide those much needed schools.

|