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Knutsford & DMCTour of Cheshire Historic Road Rally 2010
Email received Ian Crammond - 2010
The rally was as usual excellent and well up to previous standards.
I enjoyed it all, in-car errors notwithstanding...
The tests were good and no complaints here - one or two were tight for me but others weren't, and it evened out. Test 8 was too quick, so too easily cleanable. I really liked the cattle market tests at Beeston. Least favourite was Cholmondeley and the Gosularity. - I know you cannot run flat there, but it's such a shame!
I thought you handled the delay at Tests 3/4 brilliantly. You had a nice balance this year. We even seemed to have too long at lunch. Excellent venues and a good simple lunch too.
I thought the whole start complex of hotel/room/car park/cattle market/mileage check was way better than last year - and better than Cranage Hall too. I'd use it again. I liked the Tim Burton-like hotel, its food was OK (decent curry at the finish) and the breakfast bap was fine by me.
Everyone was as friendly as usual and marshals were all on the money - excellent.
The event is not that hard to do (although we always seem to make it so for ourselves one way or another!), but is hard to win. It's the way to go. You all work so hard, too, at the little things, like Tony and the cheese, or Whizzo's speech, or the raffle. It all adds up to what is, in my view, consistently the best HRCR event of the year....Ian Crammond
Email received from an enthusiastic householder - 2009
Dear Sir, I live at Sunset Cottage, ??, ?? and your Rally held last Saturday passed my cottage between 15.30 and 17.00.
I would like to say what a splendid event it was, and all my family and friends that had gathered to see the spectacle enjoyed it thoroughly-----as requested, we gave a wave and a cheer to each vehicle that passed by!
We hope you may pass by in future years, and if so ,inform us so we can support you again.
Many thanks - Rita S.
Email received from Competitor Car 67 - 2009
Many thanks for a very well organised event, we enjoyed it very much.
It was our first historic rally so the regularities were new to us. It was my sons (14) first ever rally also.
I hope to repeat the event next year.
Cheers....Joe Woodward
Email received from Competitor Car 18 - 2009
'The best and most intense single day of rallying that I have ever had to struggle through. The Cheshire is superb!'
Regards....Willy Cave
Email received from Competitor Car 74 - 2009
Whilst my part in the rally didn't go quite as I had planned!!! I'm more than grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of an
excellent event. The organisation was brilliant and it seemed that all eventualities had been catered for. The officials - especially Neil, did all they could to support me in completing the course after my little "setback".
May I humbly offer my congratultions to all involved and express my thanks for the privilage of being involved in such a prestigious yet friendly event.
I'm already looking forward to next year's Tour of Cheshire!!
Many thanks again.....David Cull
Email received from Competitor Car 72 - 2009
Ladies & Gentlemen. Could you please pass on to all those involved our greatest thanks for what was a spectacular piece of organizing and a tremendous amount of hard work undertaken by everyone. The routes we went on were spectacular and I am sure the ones we should have gone on were even better. As you probably gathered neither Jim nor I had done this before, and we are NOT navigators. The marshals at every checkpoint were brilliant, even when we turned up the wrong way and took them by surprise !! We learnt an awful lot, are keen to do more, and hope to return to do next year a little better. We do look forward to receiving the full information on the club activities and events and to be able to meet you all again. Once again many, many thanks from the lads in the brightly painted Dolomite.
PS If you can recommend a good navigator course ....(Try here)..... Nick Mullen
Email received from Competitor Car 2 - 2009
Hi, Just a short note to thank the organising team (that I have email addresses for) for the excellent event last Saturday.
Of particular note were the crowds of friendly marshals you always seem to attract – sadly for us, some with eyesight just a shade too sharp ;-)
One minor feedback for you, I thought the Booths Hall food was a bit below par.
Well done guys and gals, and enjoy your week’s rest before you start thinking about next year’s.
Many Thanks and Regards - Ray Crowther (& Paul Hernaman)
Email received from Competitor Car 10 - 2009
Don, just to say, great event, especially because it is accurately measured, timed and marshaled which makes all the difference. Many other event could learn, if only they'd listen.
We both thoroughly enjoyed the event and, we will be back to try and do better next year!
One thing, the spacing of the start, finish and scrutineering was a bit of a trek for those of us coming from far away with trailers.
All the best - Simon
Email received from an enthusiastic householder - 2008
I was pleased to see that the tour was again planned to go through my neck of the woods and duly turned out at 8.30 on Saturday to see your members’ lovely old cars. We were hoping to hear some wonderful exhaust music too but I know that there are people about who like to stop others having a bit of fun and how frivolous complaints are often taken seriously; the competitors certainly kept their pedals off the metal in the Cranage area.
We waved as the cars went past, most of the drivers and navigators were having a good time judging by the number who waved back. The intrepid pair in the Riley Special was especially enthusiastic, and complete with flying helmets and goggles too. Now that’s the right way to go motoring!
Thanks for an enjoyable hour or so. Your members can come round here any time they like, (but only if they bring their cars!)
Mini Cooper Register report
Classic Rallychat Comments
Previous Years
Route Cards
Taylors win the Tour of Cheshire
Quote from 2008 HRCR
Bob and Jeanne Taylor claimed a long awaited and well deserved first ever outright win, on the opening round of the 2008 HRCR Clubmans Rally Championship, the Tour of Cheshire on Saturday 8th March. Running-in a new 1293cc engine in their Mini, the Taylors' finished 21 seconds clear of a closely bunched trio led by Roy Gillingham/Andy Gibson in an MGA.
The morning start from rally HQ at Cranage Hall, near Holmes Chapel, led into the usual mix of road regularity sections and short special tests at various venues ranging from stately homes to a sewage works. However the highlight of the rally came after lunch with an 18-mile test around Swynnerton Camp, run with 30 mph timed-to-the-minute road rally timing through 27 time and passage controls and just the final TC timing to the second. Paul Wignall/Mark l'Anson (Alfa Giulietta) achieved the best performance here, emerging after a very hectic 36 minutes with just 31 penalty points, followed by Roy Gillingham/Andy Gibson (MGA) on 39, while eventual winners the Taylors were 5th best with 80 points. The intricacies of the Swynnerton test route, although accurately defined by a well presented tulip roadbook, resulted in many cars collecting costly penalties for wrong approaches and missed controls, these including the two top seeded Porsches of Paul Hernaman and Adam Wiseberg. All credit goes to the Knutsford & District M.C. organisers for devising and setting up the test, plus mobilising an army of 150 marshals to man it.
Best over the rest of the special tests was the Volvo Amazon of Wesley Massam and veteran navigator Willy Cave, from the Porsche 911 of Adam Wiseberg/Peter Blackett and the Sunbeam Rapier of Robin Shackleton/Ralph Lodge.
A number of last-minute registrations resulted in 24 crews scoring Clubmans championship points. Worthy of a mention are John Brooks/Jon Hurley for getting their Mini into 8th place overall, Heather Appleton for navigating father Stan's MG Midget to 11th and Julian Broadhurst/Avril Banks for taking 13th in their Morris Minor.
Top 10 Finishers:
1 Bob Taylor/Jeanne Taylor (Austin Mini) 594
2 Roy Gillingham/Andy Gibson (MGA) 615
3 Jon Wood/Paul Bosdet (Mini Cooper) 616
4 Jonathan Hancox/Richard Lambley (Triumph TR4) 623
5 Elgan Davies/Steve Skepper (Porsche 356) 704
6 Neil Wilson/Dan Harrison (Porsche 356) 739
7 Cliff England/Peter Rushforth (Ford Anglia) 770
8 John Brooks/Jonathan Hurley (Mini Cooper) 813
9 Ian Mitchell/Andrew Fish (Alfa Giulia) 824
10 Andrew Buzzard/Rob Lyne (Alfa Giulia) 826
Quote from 2007- www.Classic Rallies . com
The very best drivers, riders, navigators, organisers, companies and journalists of the European historic motorsport world were honoured at last night's annual Historic Motorsport Awards Charity Dinner, held in association with Race Retro (the 4th International Historic Motorsport Show).
All profits from the dinner will be shared between the Motorsport Foundation (to assist in the provision of specialist training and research) and the Joey Dunlop Foundation (which benefits people with a disability, especially children; see www.joeydunlopfoundation.com).
Nominations were invited from throughout the historic motorsport community. The final award winners were chosen by a panel comprising Graham Robson (Chairman), George Beale, Dean Butler, Robert Coucher, Tony Dron, Gunnar Elmgren, Colin Francis, Dave Gittins, Martin Grant-Peterkin, Mike Jackson, Jamie Knight, Flavien Marcais, Marcus Pye, Carol Quiniou, Ian Shapland, Carol Spagg, Mick Walsh, Grahame White, Paul Wignall, Barrie Williams, Simon Woodall and Jason Wright.
Race Retro combined live action events with over 450 exhibition stands, covering 70 years of historic motorsport on both two wheels and four; on road, off road and on track.
The organisers would like to thank "Octane" magazine for supporting the Awards Charity Dinner, joining our other sponsors: Bonhams, Enduro Cars, Hagerty (insurance sponsor), The History Channel, Millers Oils and Footman James (motorcycle area sponsor).
The following awards were presented on Saturday 24 March 2007:
ROAD RALLY OF THE YEAR
Nominations
London to Brighton Veteran Car Run - Tour of Cheshire - Modena Cento Ore - Rally of the Tests - The Winter Trial (E Europe). Winner: Modena Cento Ore (presented by Pentti Airikkala to Mauro Bompani).
Hard Luck Nigel - but what an honour !
Quote from- HRCR 2007 Report The TOUR OF CHESHIRE Start
The McCleans at the start of another memorable event from the Knutsford & District Motor Club was won by Paul Hernaman and Ray Crowther Porsche 911 taking the highly sought after free entry to this years Tour Britannia by a mere 28 points from Triumph GT6 of Neil Dowie/ David Taylor (top Tartan man) with hard charging Robin Shackleton/Ralph Lodge took third in their Sunbeam Rapier H120. The event raising over £1768 for the North West Air Ambulance.
The New Look Tartan Series attracted a number of new faces with 10 cars from the 68 starters with 2nd Neil Dowie/ David Taylor (fastest on tests), 7th (2nd in Class) Simon Parson/Trevor Cattermole & 10th (3rd in Class) Robert McClean/Susan McClean, class victories to Alasdair & Neil McIntosh Sunbeam Rapier SII, Julian Broad Hurst / Avril Banks (many thanks again for the Birthday cake we really enjoyed it and good to read article about there Morris Minor exploits in the Motorsport News and 2nd in class Colin Valentine/ Les McGuffog Sunbeam Stilletto. For the second year a Tartan member has scoped the youngest navigator this year going to newcomer David Clarke Sunbeam Rapier H-120.
On a bright spring morning the event was flagged away by Roy Fidler (Mr Ecurie COD Fillet himself no VW van though) from the Cranage Hall with 3 test north and west to Knutsford varying from a car park, around Capesthorne Hall grounds and a Gosularity round slippery Prestbury sewage works (we hope that was just WATER we drove through!). The route now settled down to some serious regularity sections marshal Tony Mason must of felt at home with the dramatic up & down dale scenery on the Derbyshire border and Macclesfield Forest the road literally on top of world stuff (mind you there only wee hills down there). The morning tea stop (well this is England you know old bean) in the Knot Inn Rushton Spencer followed by 2 tests at Red Farm with one rather wet and muddy and the next on smooth concrete and a bit of tale wagging from the cars. With another 2 regularities as the route wound its way west back to Cranage Village hall where Russell Brookes & Tony Fall where on hand to take crews times before they tucked in to the hot soup and sandwiches. A few top crews where falling foul with Colin Francis taking a WD in Chris Beren’s Volvo 122 surprise leader at Lunch was Demon Green/ Sean McGuire Volvo Amazon just 3 points in front of eventual winners Paul Hernaman and Ray Crowther and Warren & 3rd Jean Chmura pink DS Citroen (Pink Panther), showing a more methodical approach can work on an old fashioned historic road rally.
Refreshed crews heading west tackling a Jogularity at the start of the afternoon leg. The following regularity caused a bit of bother for some crews with cars seen departing 3 different ways from a crossroad! The route now passed Oulton Park (looked like a Formula Ford day) before 3 tests offering a good mix of loose and tarmac. The second Gosularity (Shon’s been busy this year) started in Boleworth Castle grounds where John & Harriet Wood from HERO where doing a spot of marshalling, as the Gosularity now ventured on the public roads passing through a Garage yard a few wee lanes before arriving at Harthill for a test around a farm yard crews slipping and slithering a rounds as bewildered cattle looked on. The route now headed for the traditional Ice Cream which was well deserved after a rather tricky tests round and round the Factory buildings. Alasdair & Neil McIntosh Sunbeam Rapier refused to restart after having enough of a dodgy batch of petrol it had pinked and misfired all day. Luckily tartan man David Cull many amongst others were on hand (some time it pays to run a Championship) to push start the beast twice well it was a bit dour! 2 more regularities followed with the last looping over the motorway and finishing insight of Holmes Chapel. Just 2 more test to go a straight out blast around the Messey Feeds yard and the final countdown test in Cranage Hall grounds where some navigators where seen to sweat as driver’s are left on there own to navigate a test! With only the photo and collecting of Cheese a drivers favourite as navigators went of looking for that last control in the warmth of the Hall.
Crews where treated to the usual finishing touch of an after dinner speaker before prize giving, this year Mike Broad former navigator to Deal Team Opel, BL, Mercedes works teams kept us all amused on German efficiency in the hand of WRC Champion Walter Rohrl but less glowing when it came to experiences of a rather red faced Tony Fall including how he crashed a Mayors RAC Garden Party in dead engine Works Opel Rally car! Classic stuff.
Top 10 finishers:
1 Paul Hernaman/Ray Crowther Porsche 911 893
2 Neil Dowie/David Taylor Triumph GT6 921
3 Robin Shackleton/Ralph Lodge Sunbeam Rapier 986
4 Linda Orme/Richard Dix Ford Escort Mexico 1024
5 Warren Chmura/Jean Chmura Citroen DS 1040
6 Roy Gillingham/Andy Gibson MGA 1048
7 Simon Parson/Trevor Cattermol Austin Healey Sprite 1070
8 Damon Green/Sean McGuire Volvo 122S Amazon 1087
9 Richard Fisher/Neil Lewis Lancia Fulvia HF 1107
10 Robert McClean/Susan McClean Rover P4-100 1136
Shon Gosling  Roy Fidler
Knutsford & District Motor Club Ltd
Registered Office: Carlyle House, 78 Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4BY - Company No. 1606623
Registered in England |
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