Congratulations to PGM instructor Paul Alexander and Co-driver Tom Woodburn on their 1st in class and 3rd overall today in the Rainworth Skoda Dukeries Rally at Donington Park today.
With tweaks to the car throughout the day in preparation for taking to the Irish lanes in their next outing in Killarney, the pair held a top three position for the majority of the day.
As the light began to fade,
Alexander just wanted to retain his second place behind the storming Proton of
David Tinn however, a sudden retirement by Tinn meant the title was there for
the taking. Flicking the lamps on and
heading into the darkness it was apparent the speedy couple were struggling
with visibility from their spot lights.
Choosing to air on the side of caution on this test outing, Alexander
eased off the gas and crossed the flying finish after a clean but somewhat
frustrating run.
Initially aiming for a top ten
finish, Alexander was pleased with third overall and more importantly how the 2
litre Mk II Escort performed in this hotly contested event. Whilst a suspension upgrade will have to stay
on the wish list for 2015, an upgrade to the lighting system is planned before
heading out to tackle the technical ‘Gortnagane’ night stage on the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Stages Rally – 5th December.
Car
|
Cls
|
Crew
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
Penalty
|
Total
|
Cls
Pos |
O/A
Pos |
2
|
4
|
Ashley
Field/ Ryan Vickers
|
7:32
|
6:28
|
7:55
|
7:39
|
6:51
|
6:43
|
6:17
|
6:18
|
55:43
|
1
|
1
|
|
20
|
3
|
Martin
Hodgson/ Tony Jones
|
6:56
|
6:27
|
7:51
|
7:45
|
7:01
|
6:56
|
6:22
|
6:34
|
55:52
|
1
|
2
|
|
19
|
3
|
Paul
Alexander/ Tom Woodburn
|
6:59
|
6:27
|
7:53
|
7:44
|
7:00
|
6:51
|
6:19
|
6:43
|
55:56
|
2
|
3
|
|
8
|
4
|
Paul
Diamond/ Stephen Cox
|
7:08
|
6:32
|
8:05
|
8:00
|
7:05
|
6:59
|
6:27
|
6:40
|
56:56
|
2
|
4
|
|
6
|
4
|
Graeme
Bell/ Russ Radford
|
7:03
|
6:36
|
8:07
|
7:54
|
7:15
|
7:07
|
6:28
|
6:40
|
57:10
|
3
|
5
|
|
87
|
5
|
John
Yates / Rhys Yates
|
7:10
|
6:35
|
8:04
|
8:30
|
7:11
|
6:59
|
6:31
|
6:36
|
57:36
|
1
|
6
|
|
5
|
3
|
Julian
Jones/ Mikey Herritts
|
7:13
|
6:41
|
8:06
|
7:56
|
7:17
|
7:04
|
6:34
|
6:46
|
57:37
|
3
|
7
|
|
32
|
4
|
Matt
Downer/ Marc Gaunt
|
7:16
|
6:37
|
8:10
|
7:57
|
7:11
|
7:05
|
6:37
|
6:54
|
57:47
|
4
|
8
|
|
9
|
5
|
Oliver
Hopkins/ Ashley Trimble
|
7:06
|
6:43
|
8:09
|
8:00
|
7:19
|
7:10
|
6:39
|
6:51
|
57:57
|
2
|
9
|
|
17
|
4
|
Andrew
Bayliss/ Chris Sharpe-Simkiss
|
7:17
|
6:44
|
8:03
|
8:03
|
7:07
|
7:37
|
6:30
|
6:49
|
58:10
|
5
|
10
|
