Eurocarsmotorsport

Championship battle resumes on Jurby airfield

After a six month break, the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship resumes tomorrow (Saturday) with the Riverside Furniture Jurby Stages Rally.

The Druidale Motor Club event has been switched from its usual December date due to the foot and mouth contingencies preventing preparations for the intended Duke Stages. However, given that last years event was curtailed due to severe winds, most crews will be happy to face a late summer date at the airfield venue.

The winners of that event, Dave Corris and Mark Perryman face a race against time to make the start. Their Ford Escort WRC’s turbo was damaged on last weekends Ulster National Rally, and was immediately shipped to the UK for repairs to be carried out. Assuming all is well the pair should be at the sharp end of the leaderboard.

George Collister and Janet Craine are set to go at number two in the first of the Mitsubishi Evo’s, and with the venue suited to the power of the turbo machinery and the confidence gained from a runners-up spot on the Star Services Trophy Rally section of Rally Isle of Man, will prove hard to beat.

However another crew full of confidence after strong runs on recent events are Mark Cubbon/Jonathon Turnbull (Evo 7). The breakthrough has been coming over the last 18 months and this could well be that maiden victory. Donny Gill stands out as another Evo driver to watch, having impresses on the opening round of the championship back in January, his first appearance in the car.

The two-wheel drive battle is where the main championship contenders are. Richard Curphey (Vauxhall Nova) and Kex Walker (BMW 325) are first and second going into the event, and are seeded at five and six respectively. They’ll both however be challenged for the event honours by Nigel Cannell, Glenn Leece, Ian Corkill and Graham Collister, to name but a few in a competitive line-up.

Six stages are planned, all double loop runs of the airfield. The action should be thick and fast for spectators with cars starting stages at 30 second intervals and the lap system bringing the action even closer together.

The rally is due to get underway at 9.45am following a familiarisation run, with the leading crews finishing at around 3pm after 30 stage miles.

Those reading on Thursday will have time to head to scrutineering and signing-on for the Riverside Furniture Jurby Stages Rally tonight. As usual it takes place at Eurocars' Peel Road site from 6.30pm.
Officials signing-on takes place at the same time, so if you can assist in any way please call in. Alternatively head up to Jurby before 8.30am tomorrow (Saturday). Chief Marshal is John Gill and Mark Wrigley is Chief Timekeeper.
Going into the third round of the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Championship Richard Curphey heads the drivers standings on 68 points, with Kex Walker just four behind. With the airfield venue more suited to the power of the BMW it offers Kex a chance to lead the series for the first time. Martyn Jones is currently third on 51 points, with Richard Kneen and Walter Bridson tied for fourth on 38.
The co-drivers points race is even closer. Andrew Holmes, starting his third rally in 14 days, leads by just two, with 67 to Danni Matthews 65. Leigh Jones is third on 51, ahead of Tom Babbs (39) and Bruce Craig (35).
The presentation of awards for the event will take place at the Onchan Squah Club on Saturday night, from around 8.30pm. It is free entry to all and the organisers would particularly like to invite everyone involved in organising the event, in whatever capacity.