Seb Marshall Rallying

Second Again On The Dukeries

18/06/2006

Seb and usual driver David Bogie completed the Dukeries Rally, the 6th round of the BTRDA series, in a respectable 2nd place in the 1400's, and 33rd overall.

After the recent success on the Red Dragon Rally the pairing were in high spirits and were quick from the off recording the fastest time through stage 1, ahead of Neil Weaver who had suffered a spin. A small timing error for Weaver also meant that the pair were running first on the road through the dusty stages.

Stages 2 to 4 followed through the fast Nottinghamshire forests where they kept in touch with Weaver, going into first service just 10 seconds behind, with a 6 second gap back to 3rd place Julian Wilkes.

Through the 5 miles of stage 5, Rainbow Hill, a spirited effort saw the team stop the clocks 8 seconds faster than the leading Corsa of Weaver, a bit of a wake up call for him and co-driver Nick Thornton, now with only a two second lead going into the final two stages. This was also the 2nd quickest 2wd and 19th overall through that stage!

With the advantage held to 3rd now being 24 seconds, Seb and David went into Portland with a plan to hold station in 2nd place. Weaver decided an increase in pace was required though and pulled out 14 seconds on SS6 and a further 13 on the final 12 mile stage of Sherwood Forest, leaving the young crew trailing by 29 seconds at the finish back in Mansfield.

"I was really pleased with the result, each time out we seem to be edging a little closer to Weaver's pace" commented Seb.

The result left the crew 33rd overall, and 2nd in Class and the 1400 section. The valuable points gained now elevate Seb back to 3rd place in the championship, within reach of second.

The pair will miss the next BTRDA round the Quinton Rally in early July as David is contesting the Jim Clark Rally as part of the National Tarmac Championship. So the Woodpecker in early September sees Seb's next scheduled outing.

 

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