Well that was the Roush Manx that was! What can anyone say but congratulations to Mark Higgins and Andy Richardson for showing everyone how it should be done. Of course local knowledge plays a massive part on the Isle of Man but Miggins really is in a class of his own as far as British Rallying is concerned at the moment and we lesser mortals can only look and learn. As far as ANCRO is concerned I think it is great that either Diggins or Miggins have competed on two of our three rounds this year. They seem to like our championship so hopefully they will be back.

The above should not in any way detract from the performances of the leading ANCRO crews – Duckworth/Broomfield, Bird/Windress, Johnson/Merry and Crealey/Harris who filled 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th overall positions respectively on an event that was also a counter for our sister series - the GPR MSA National Tarmac Championship. We managed to fill 8 out of the top 10 positions so well done the gravel boys!

ANCRO contenders also blitzed the Production Class with a superb performance from Ryan Champion/Craig Thorley to win class N4 and make 9th overall. Phillip Morrow/Simon Morrow were 2nd class N4 and 10th overall. Neil McCance/Graham Hopewell scored their best result to date by finishing 3rd class N4 and 13th overall. All three crews coming from the highly competitive Mitsubishi Motors Evolution Challenge.

Running further down the entry list but no less competitive is the Peugeot 206 Super Cup. Jonnie Wigmore/Robbie Durant were the victors once again from Mike Faulkner/Peter Foy and Owen Murphy/David Moynihan.

Special mention to our ladies crew of Shelly Taunt/Julie Murphy who scored their first finish of the year after a nasty fire put an end to their event on the Rallye Sunseeker and mechanical woes scuppered their chances on the Border Counties.

Commiserations must go to Paul Alexander who endured a torrid time with his car before and during the event. Paul is one of the nicest guys in rallying, always willing to help out others and he deserves better luck than this.

Mark Perrott is another driver having a nightmare of a year. Leading the ANCRO mob and battling valiantly against the current WRC machinery in his Ford Escort to achieve an amazing 2nd overall after the first leg of the event, Mark and co-driver Partick Walsh finally retired with mechanical maladies.

Also having a “character building event” were “Hyundai Team Dodd.” Both cars retired with uncharacteristic mechanical problems.

The Roush Manx was the first round of the Innovation Motorsports Late Challenge Cup. The index of performance scoring system used for this award has produced an interesting result as it is the “tidler”A6 class car of Jonnie Wigmore in the lead.

Look at Chris Moore's press release on our www.gravelrally.co.uk web site for the full scoring situation.

A reminder to those who have not yet put their entries in for the Mutiny Rally.
Entries finally close on Saturday 21st May.
The entries Secretary is :
Jan Allen
8 Hither Bush
Lyde
Hereford HR4 8EF
Tel: 01432 272977
Email: italianjan@hotmail.com

Finally, just one announcement from the ANCRO desk. We now offer a service to keep competitors out of the “dog house.” Flowers can be sent to that special person in your life, if you have come away on a rally and forgotten their birthday or a special occasion. Dilys and Val can arrange everything and you will collect brownie points on returning home!

Dilys Trevethick 16.05.05