Motorsport News confirms what some of us already know – that the Mull Rally is ‘one of the events of 2014.’ See you on Mull in October?

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY, LEG 3 — REPORT, TIMES & QUOTES:

MacCRONE DOMINATES TUNNOCK MULL RALLY
Dervaig’s John MacCrone realised a boyhood dream when he powered his MSport-prepared Ford Fiesta S2400 to a dominant win in the 44th running of the Tunnock’s Mull Rally.
The 24-year-old delivered a controlled, professional drive through the final four stages before powering through the final flying finish in his home village of Dervaig.
“It doesn’t get any better than this,” MacCrone, co-driven by Uddingston’s Stuart Loudon, beamed. “But that was tough, really tough.”
MacCrone’s biggest challenge was that he started the final four stages leading the Ford Focus WRC of Carlisle 22-year-old by 1min 14secs.
The dilemma he faced was whether to keep attacking, and risk going off or breaking something on the car: or back off and pace the car to the finish.
In the end, he resorted to type: “I always like to drive flat-out.”
In the end, his victory was essentially clinched on the closing loops opening stage, the 14.79-miles at Glen Aros/Mishnish Lochs.
While MacCrone powered flawlessly through the stage, clocking 12mins 33secs, Taylor hit trouble, twice spinning off as he pushed in an effort to apply pressure on the Scot.
Instead, Taylor exited the stage with his Focus WRC looking battered and bruised, with no front bumper, and the whole intercooler visible.
“We were off twice in there and dropped good amount of time,” a downhearted Taylor admitted. “I was pushing hard trying to close the gap on John, but I just made mistakes.”
The excursions cost the youngster 1min 11secs. Unaware Taylor had suffered damage and dropped time, MacCrone kept the pressure on my powering through the next three stages. In the end he won comfortably by 3mins 57secs ahead of Taylor.
The Englishman, bidding to be the first non-islander to win on Mull since Daniel Harper in 2002, ended up nursing his car to the finish line.
With no suspension spares, he had to cope with a car which had a broken shock absorber, which was then compounded by brakes problems in the final stage.
Salen’s Eddie O’Donnell held off Richmond’s Tony Bardy to clinch the final podium spot, with both drivers clocking exactly the same time over the final 22-mile stage. Only seven seconds separated them at the end.
With Tristan Pye conquering the slipping clutch problems he endured all rally on his Subaru, sealing fifth, the top 10 was rounded off by Jonathan Mounsey (Mitsubishi), Alan Gardiner (Escort MkI), Richard Cook (Subaru), Peter Gibson (Mitsubishi) and Chris (Curly) Haigh in his MkI Escort).
But there was heartbreak on the final stage for a number of crews. Bungay’s David Mann finished with his Subaru on its roof on the beach. Both he and co-driver Chris Hamill were ok.
Then Billy Bird’s Vauxhall Chevette went off: he and co-driver Plug Pulleyn had been on-course for a top 10 finish. And Ian Chadwick’s Skoda Fabia gave up the ghost just three miles into the final stage.
And finally the Subaru Impreza of Mull Car Club chairman, Allan Cameron, stopped with mechanical problems at Calgary Bay. This year’s event marked the 40th anniversary of his first Mull Rally.
But at the end of 30 hours of gruelling, high speed action, the big winners were John MacCrone and the Tunnock’s Mull Rally: both celebrating a winning performance.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS16: 14.79-miles Glen Aros / Mishnish Lochs
1. MacCrone 12mins 33secs; 2. Gallagher + 1min 02secs; =3. O’Connell, Pye & Gardiner +1:03; 6. Bardy +1:08; 7. Taylor 1:11; Mounsey +1:13; 9. Gibson +1:24; 10. Bird +1:25.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 1hr 49mins 55secs; 2. Taylor +2min 25secs; 3. Bardy +6:56; 4. O’Donnell +6:57; 5. Pye +7:52; 6. Gardiner +8:47; 7. Gallagher +8:54; 8. Mounsey +9:30; 9. Cook +10:31; 10. P. Gibson +11:14.

DRIVER QUOTES SS16:
Car 2, John MacCrone (Dervaig) / Stuart Loudon (Uddingston) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2400:
“Went ok in there, but we seemed to have interference on the intercom. We’ll need to check that. It was a bit slippy in places, so we kept it pretty controlled. We’ll make a decision once we see Peter’s time as to whether we push over the next three stages, or whether we can back off and control the pace and the gap.”

Car 15, Peter Taylor (Carlisle) / Andrew Roughead (Newcastle) Ford Focus WRC:
“We were off twice in there (Focus WRC missing its front bumper, and the whole intercooler was visible) and dropped good amount of time. I was pushing hard trying to close the gap on John, but I just made mistakes.”

Car 7, Eddie O’Donnell jnr (Salen) / Matt Ratcliffe (Tobermory) Ford Escort RS:
“It was all right: didn’t enjoy the lochs, but we didn’t have a puncture, which was a bonus.”

Car 3, Tony Bardy (Richmond) / Neil Colman (Stockton-on-Tees) Nissan Sunny GTi-R:
“We’re gonna push in the next stages, but we’ve got an oil pressure problem. Hopefully we’ll get it sorted.”

Car 8, Tristan Pye (Bishop Auckland) / Andrew Falconer (Inverness) Subaru Impreza:
“We’re trying to drive round the clutch problem we’ve had all event really. Nice cool air temperature for the engine, but the tyres still went off.”

Car 21, Alan Gardiner (Biggar) / Robin Nicholson (Largs) Ford Escort MkI:
“Quite difficult to get back in the groove after the break. I’ll be pleased when we’re through Gribun (Knock). Be pleased to get to the end, as along as I can stay awake.”

Car 11, Lewis Gallagher (Tobermory) / Graham Brown (Tobermory) Subaru Impreza:
“Slow start, but enjoying it.”

Car 9, Jonathan Mounsey (Settle) / Richard Wardle (Pickering) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI;
“Thought we might struggle to get heat into the tyres, but we really didn’t have any problem: that was quick.”

Car 30, Richard Cook (Lamplugh) / Edwin Cook (Lamplugh) Subaru Impreza:
“Too much braking, it’s been hard work. We’re doing ok. I suddenly find myself in rather exhalted company I’m now mixing with, so I hope I can live up to the expectations.”

Car 14, David Mann (Bungay) / Chris Hamill (Oban) Subaru Impreza WRX STI:
“Not quick at the start, but we picked up pace as we got through the stage. First time I’ve driven the car for two years.”

Car 20, Billy Bird (York) / Plug Pulleyn (York) Vauxhall Chevette:
“Didn’t enjoy that: bit fast and furious.”

Car 24, Chris (Curly) Haigh (Helperby) / Sally Peacock (Helperby) Ford Escort MkI:
“Really, really enjoyed that.”

Car 32, John Baird (Edinburgh) / Stan Quirk (Milton of Campsie) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX:
“Took it slow up the glen, but fast down the lochs.”

Car 28, John Morrison (Conon Bridge) / Peter Carstairs (St Andrews) Mitsubishi Evo IX;
“Tyres too cold to begin with, but they came on well towards the end.”

Car 17, Doug Weir (Ellon) / Duncan Brown Carshalton) Ford Escort MkII:
“Hands are still shaking: that stage was so fast, the engine was bouncing off the rev limiter.”

Car 19, Tim Stell (Huddersfield) / Mike Yates (Mirfield) Mitsubishi Evo VII:
“Bit sloppy: had big slide at the start just because the tyres were cld.”

Car 31, Ian Chadwick (Cork) / Johnnie Bould (Glasgow) Skoda Fabia:
“Got a good sweat up running through hat stage: it was quick.”

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS17: 8.37-miles Knock
1. MacCrone 7mins 13secs; =2. Taylor & Bardy +7secs; 4. O’Donnell +11; 5. Pye +12; 6. Gardiner +22; 7. Gallagher & Bird +26; 9. Mounsey +27; 7. Cook +30.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 1hr 57mins 08secs; 2. Taylor +2min 32secs; 3. Bardy +7:03; 4. O’Donnell +7:08; 5. Pye +8:04; 6. Gallagher +9:20; 7. Mounsey +9:57; 8. Gardiner +10:39; 9. Cook +11:01; 10. P. Gibson +11:44.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS18: 4.31-miles Loch Kinloch
1. Pye 3mins 51secs; 2. MacCrone +3secs; 3. Bird +10; =4. O’Donnell & Taylor +11; 6. Gibson +12; 7. Gardiner +15; =8. Weir & Cook +16; 10. Mounsey +17;.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 2hr 01mins 02secs; 2. Taylor +2min 40secs; 3. O’Donnell 7:16; 4. Bardy +7.23; 5. Pye +8:01; 6. Mounsey +10.11; 7. Gardiner +10:51; 8. Cook +11:14; 9. Gibson +11:53; 10. Bird +11:59.

DRIVER QUOTES SS18:
Car 2, John MacCrone (Dervaig) / Stuart Loudon (Uddingston) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2400:
“It’s really tough, knowing what pace we should be doing. It’s so difficult to keep driving hard, but it is what it is what it is. And having a lead of more than two-and-a-half minutes makes it even worse.”

Car 15, Peter Taylor (Carlisle) / Andrew Roughead (Newcastle) Ford Focus WRC:
“The car is bouncing about all over the place. We’ve broken a damper, and we don’t have a spare; we’ve no suspension spares at all. Hopefully we can manage to get the car to the end of the rally now.”

Car 7, Eddie O’Donnell jnr (Salen) / Matt Ratcliffe (Tobermory) Ford Escort RS:
“The last two stages weren’t bad. We’re still here though and fighting for the podium. We’ll make a big push on the final stage: Tony Bardy’s always good over that stage.”

Car 8, Tristan Pye (Bishop Auckland) / Andrew Falconer (Inverness) Subaru Impreza:
“We’re pushing very hard.”

Car 9, Jonathan Mounsey (Settle) / Richard Wardle (Pickering) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI;
“We just snapped a ‘shaft 100-yards before the end of the stage: not sure which one it is. Hopefully we can get it sorted at service.”

Car 30, Richard Cook (Lamplugh) / Edwin Cook (Lamplugh) Subaru Impreza:
“The last two stages were good: just drawing a bit weary now. But everything’s flowing pretty well, but boy it’s fast.”

Car 14, David Mann (Bungay) / Chris Hamill (Oban) Subaru Impreza WRX STI:
“Very bumpy.”

Car 33, Peter Gibson (Consett) / Drew Gibson (London Town) Mitsubishi Evo VI;
“Struggling to establish a rhythm , and we need to find out whether we need to push over the last stage.”

Car 24, Chris (Curly) Haigh (Helperby) / Sally Peacock (Helperby) Ford Escort MkI:
“We’re still going: it’s brilliant. Wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’d do it all again tomorrow.”

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS19: 22.53-miles
1. MacCrone 20mins 11secs; 2. Pye +27secs; =3. Bardy & O’Donnell +31; 5. Taylor +1:17; 6. Gardiner +1:23; 7. Weir +1:26; 8. Mounsey +1:30; 9. Gibson 1:34; 10. Cook 1:38.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 2hr 21mins 43secs; 2. Taylor +3min 57secs; 3. O’Donnell 7:47; 4. Bardy +7.54; 5. Pye +8:28; 6. Mounsey +11.41; 7. Gardiner 12:14; 8. Cook 12:52; 9. Gibson +13:27; 10. Haigh 14:21.

DRIVER QUOTES SS19:
Car 2, John MacCrone (Dervaig) / Stuart Loudon (Uddingston) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2400:
“That feels pretty good. Great weekend, absolute blast. Hopefully it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime experience, driving this Ford. The day went really perfectly as planned: the delay at the start of the final stage wasn’t ideal, but we did what we needed to do through the final test. Feels great.”

Car 15, Peter Taylor (Carlisle) / Andrew Roughead (Newcastle) Ford Focus WRC:
“That was tough: 22 miles with no suspension and no brakes, basically. Really good, and I’ll definitely be back next year: I’ve learned a huge amount this year.”

Car 7, Eddie O’Donnell jnr (Salen) / Matt Ratcliffe (Tobermory) Ford Escort RS:
“Had a good stage: don’t think we could have gone quicker. The big question is whether I’ve done enough to keep Tony (Bardy) behind me for the final podium finish.”

Car 8, Tristan Pye (Bishop Auckland) / Andrew Falconer (Inverness) Subaru Impreza:
“That’s my favourite stage of the event: but I’m knackered. We had a few good, quick stages today.”

Car 3, Tony Bardy (Richmond) / Neil Colman (Stockton-on-Tees) Nissan Sunny GTi-R:
“We ride hard in there: the car ran really well. It’s my first finish in four years.”

Car 9, Jonathan Mounsey (Settle) / Richard Wardle (Pickering) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI;
“Something worked very loose over the last five miles: we drove by the seat-of-our-plants really for the last wee bit, waiting for the car to grind to a halt. Thankfully it didn’t. We’re thrilled to get to the end.”

Car 33, Peter Gibson (Consett) / Drew Gibson (London Town) Mitsubishi Evo VI;
“Pleased to be here: it was quite slippery out there. We lost the spotlights coming down towards he finish, but thankfully they came back on. The stage is just mental.”

Car 28, John Morrison (Conon Bridge) / Peter Carstairs (St Andrews) Mitsubishi Evo IX;
“Love that stage, because I can attack it. The last part was the fastest I’ve ever driven it.”

Car 17, Doug Weir (Ellon) / Duncan Brown Carshalton) Ford Escort MkII:
“Long stage, but we made it through: it was slippery under the trees though. Just trying to hold second place in Class.”

Car 32, John Baird (Edinburgh) / Stan Quirk (Milton of Campsie) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX:
“We were overtaken by about four cars in the final stage: we lost the turbo just five-miles into the stage, and as you know, without the turbo these cars are slow.”

Car 19, Tim Stell (Huddersfield) / Mike Yates (Mirfield) Mitsubishi Evo VII:
“Pleased; a good last stage. Lost grip, but thankfully it came back towards the end. Great rally as ever.”

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY, LEG 2 — REPORT, TIMES & QUOTES:

MacCRONE RESPONDS TO TAYLOR PRESSURE
Dashing Dervaig driver John MacCrone responded to pressure from Carlisle 22-year-old, Peter Taylor to extend his lead in the 44th running of the Tunnock’s Mull Rally.
The 24-year-old islander, driving his MSport-prepared Ford Fiesta S2400, and co-driven again by Uddingston’s Stuart Loudon, delivered a calm and professional second-half of the afternoon leg.
With eight stages run this afternoon, it was Taylor, 1min 17secs behind overnight, who came out of the traps fast. The young Englishman, in his 2001 Ford Escort WRC, was fastest through the opening five stages.
As they completed the opening loop, at the end of the first run through the 7.89 miles at Killiemor, Taylor had reduced the gap to just 51secs.
“We’ve been fast right through every stage, and the car’s brilliant,” Taylor said. “We’d have been even closer to John if we’d had harder compound tyres fitted when we came through Killiemor.”
MacCrone, meanwhile, admitted he was still battling to get the prefect set-up for his new S2400 Fiesta.
“We’re going in the right direction with the car’s set-up, but we’re still crashing over jumps,” he said. “We’re taking it steady though. Everything feels good, and the tyres are working well.”
But he was kicking himself after he finished the first run through Killiemor.
“I made a really silly, stupid mistake in there: clipped the chicane with the front-right of the car,” he admitted. “Thought I’d damaged it, so took the next couple of stage carefully to test it out. I know we’ve dropped time to Peter, and I’m surprised he didn’t catch me. Stupid, just stupid.”
But after regrouping at the service halt, and making a number of tweaks to the car, his pace on the second loop of three stages was dazzling.
Though each of the three stages — Mishnish Lochs 2, Hill Road 2 and Killiemor 2 — he was 11-seconds faster than his first run: a total of 33secs.
“The first loop we were on the wrong tyres,” MacCrone explained afterwards, “and that compromised our performance: hence we dropped time to Peter (Taylor).
“I needed to put a lot less effort into driving the car this time round, and we went faster. Tonight will be tough: that final 22-miler will be a real test.”
The young Scot now heads into the final four stages, including the gruelling 22-miler at Loch Tuath/Calgary Bay, knowing exactly what he needs to do to win his home event for the first time.
Behind the young duo, there are a number of close battles. Salen’s Eddie O’Donnell (Ford Escort RS) holds a 34s lead over the Nissan Sunny GTi-R of Tony Baldry. But the gap would have been larger had he not suffered punctures after hitting stones kicked on to the road by the two young guns up front as they cut corners.
Bardy, meanwhile, is only 21s ahead of Tristan Pye’s Subaru. And while Alan Gardiner is 55s further back in sixth, Tobermory’s Lewis Gallagher is only eight seconds behind in seventh.
The afternoon stages brought a series of retirements, including last year’s winner, Calum Duffy, whose Ford Escort MkII suffered terminal mechanical problems on SS14.
Earlier, John Cressey rolled his BMW Mini on the day’s opening test, while Daniel Harper’s Mini went off the road on SS13. Ian Ogg Mackenzie was forced to retire his Mitsubishi Evo with turbo problems, while Dave Miller suffered an accident on SS9.
The day though was also punctuated with the cancellation of SS9 because of another occurrence of spectators ignoring the safety measures and driving out of the stage, despite the fact it was still ‘live’.
There are now serious and genuine concerns about the event thanks to the growing number of thoughtless and mindless individuals who are continuing to drive their cars out of stages while it’s still live.
The event’s ambulances were held up on stages by these individuals driving their private cars on the closed-off public roads.
There are growing concerns about the safety levels for genuine, knowledgeable spectators and, of course, the competitors.
Can we just stress: it is illegal for members of the public to drive their cars on the roads — no matter how quiet they appear to be — when they are ‘live’ for the stage.
They are, strictly, breaking the law, and risk being detained by the police and charged for contravention of the road closure order!
Now though, we focus on tonight’s final four stages, which promise to deliver a thrilling finale to the 44th Tunnock’s Mull Rally.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS8: 4.43-miles Scridain 2
1. Taylor 3min 39secs; =2. Duffy & MacCrone +6secs; 4. Pye +11; 5. Harper +13; 6. Bardy +15; 7. R Cook +16; =8. O’Donnell & Gardiner +17; 10. Ogg Mackenzie +20.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 53mins 51secs; 2. Taylor 1min 11s; 3. O’Donnell +2:42; 4. Harper +2:52; 5. Pye +3:22; 6. Bardy 3:38; 7. Ogg Mackenzie +4:14; 8. Gardiner +4:15; 9. Gallagher +4:16; 10. Cook +4:39.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS9: 4.43-miles Gribun 2
1. Taylor 6min 42secs; 2. MacCrone +3secs; 3. Duffy +10; 4. Harper +21; 5. =Bardy & O’Donnell +22; 7. Pye +27; =8. Ogg Mackenzie & Cook +30; =10. Mounsey & Gallagher +31.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 1hr 00mins 36secs; 2. Taylor 1min 08s; 3. O’Donnell +3:01; 4. Harper +3:10; 5. Pye +3:46; 6. Bardy 3:57; 7. Ogg Mackenzie +4:11; 8. Gallagher +4:44; 9. Gardiner +4:54; 9. ; 10. Cook +5:06.

DRIVER QUOTES SS9:
Car 2, John MacCrone (Dervaig) / Stuart Loudon (Uddingston) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2400:
“We’re going in the right direction with the car’s set-up, but we’re still crashing over jumps. We’re taking it steady though. Everything feels good, and the tyres are working well.”

Car 15, Peter Taylor (Carlisle) / Andrew Roughead (Newcastle) Ford Focus WRC:
“So far, excellent: we’ve been fastest through the opening two stages. We’ve pushed hard, and some of those jumps have just about pulled my arms out of their sockets. Fair to say we’re committed.”

Car 1, Calum Duffy (Dervaig) / Iain Duffy (Dervaig) Ford Escort MkII:
“We’re just having bait of craic today. After a great start and getting settled into the car with some quick times through the opening two stages last night, I went spinning into a fence in Ardtun! Just a little to fast, caught gravel and spun and beached on a creel! Car undamaged and we were ready to super rally today. Hope John brings it home to Dervaig. Huge thanks to the bun boys who helped us back on. Sadly, alternator bracket snapped and game over, boys came down fitted bracket and drive her home no bother. Stand clear for the rest of today!!!”

Car 6, Daniel Harper (Barley) / Chris Campbell (Barrowford) BMW Mini Cooper S;
I think we broke both our records on the opening two: it’s that fast! We’re really pleased.”

Car 8, Tristan Pye (Bishop Auckland) / Andrew Falconer (Inverness) Subaru Impreza:
“We’re going fine, but we need to stiffen up the shock absorbers at service.”

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS10: 6.30-miles Mishnish Lochs 1
1. Taylor 6min 17secs; 2. MacCrone +5secs; 3. Duffy +11; 4. Pye +12; 5. Ronaldson +15; 6. Bardy +17; 7. Gardiner +18; 8. Ogg Mackenzie +19; 9. O’Donnell +20; 10. Harper +22.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 1hr 06mins 58secs; 2. Taylor 1min 03s; 3. O’Donnell +3:16; 4. Harper +3:27; 5. Pye +3:53; 6. Bardy 4:09; 7. Ogg Mackenzie +4:55; 8. Gardiner +5:07; 9. +4:54; 9. Gallagher +5:10; 10. Cook +5:34.

DRIVER QUOTES SS10:
Car 2, John MacCrone (Dervaig) / Stuart Loudon (Uddingston) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2400:
“Little bit sloppy at start of stage.”

Car 1, Calum Duffy (Dervaig) / Iain Duffy (Dervaig) Ford Escort MkII:
“Really having fun: did a couple f donuts for the spectators.”

Car 7, Eddie O’Donnell jnr (Salen) / Matt Ratcliffe (Tobermory) Ford Escort RS:
“Very good: though someone was on fire, but realised it was Calum doing donuts. Good for him.”

Car 3, Tony Bardy (Richmond) / Neil Colman (Stockton-on-Tees) Nissan Sunny GTi-R:
“Things getting better.”

Car 11, Lewis Gallagher (Tobermory) / Graham Brown (Tobermory) Subaru Impreza:
“First couple of stages were problematic, but I think we’ve got everything sorted now. We should be faster from here on.”

Car 16, Iain Ogg Mackenzie (Dervaig) / Drew Sturrock (Brechin) Mitsubishi Evo:
“Cut corner and got mud on to the tyres, and took a couple of miles to really clean them, and dropped a bit of time.”

Car 21, Alan Gardiner (Biggar) / Robin Nicholson (Largs) Ford Escort MkI:
“Just trying to keep it on the straight and narrow. Really enjoyed it, and we were really flying.”

Car 43, Steven Ronaldson (Inverness) / Ann-Marie Fraser (Inverness) Metro 6R4:
“Absolutely brilliant out here. As long as nobody crashes in front of me, we should have great fun for the rest of the day.”

Car 31, Ian Chadwick (Cork) / Johnnie Bould (Glasgow) Skoda Fabia:
“We’re doing all right: better than last night. We’re not judging ourselves by the clock, we’re working on getting the car’s temperatures up.”

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS11: 5.84-miles Hill Road 1
1. Taylor 5min 42secs; 2. MacCrone +5secs; 3. Duffy +10; 4. O’Donnell +14; 5. Bardy +17; =6. Harper & Ogg Mackenzie +23; =8. Mounsey & Gardiner +27; 10. Gallagher +28.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 1hr 12mins 45secs; 2. Taylor 58s; 3. O’Donnell +3:25; 4. Harper +3:45; 5. Bardy + 4:21; 6. Pye +5:09; 7. Ogg Mackenzie +5:13; 8. Gardiner +5:29; 9. +4:54; 9. Gallagher +5:33; 10. Cook +6.07.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS12: 7.89-miles Killiemor 1
1. Taylor 6min 24secs; 2. MacCrone +7secs; 3. Duffy +12; 4. Bardy +19; 5. O’Donnell +21; =6. Pye +23; 7. Harper +28; 8. Mann +34; =9. Mounsey & Gallagher +36.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 1hr 19mins 16secs; 2. Taylor 51s; 3. O’Donnell +3:39; 4. Harper +4:06; 5. Bardy + 4:33; 6. Pye +5:25; 7. Ogg Mackenzie +5:58; 8. Gardiner +6:00; 9. Gallagher +6:02; 10. Mounsey 6:43.

DRIVER QUOTES SS12:
Car 2, John MacCrone (Dervaig) / Stuart Loudon (Uddingston) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2400:
“Made a really silly, stupid mistake in there: clipped the chicane with the front-right of the car. Thought I’d damaged it, so took the next couple of stage carefully to test it out. I know we’ve dropped time to Peter, and I’m surprised he didn’t catch me. Stupid, just stupid.”

Car 15, Peter Taylor (Carlisle) / Andrew Roughead (Newcastle) Ford Focus WRC:
“Quickest again, and if we’d hard the hard compound tyre fitted, we’d have been even faster

Car 1, Calum Duffy (Dervaig) / Iain Duffy (Dervaig) Ford Escort MkII:
“Very good in there, though it was a bit slippery. Having difficulty keeping tyres on the back because we’re having so much fun.”

Car 7, Eddie O’Donnell jnr (Salen) / Matt Ratcliffe (Tobermory) Ford Escort RS:
“We’ll just plod on: we’re having a good battle with Dan Harper.”

Car 6, Daniel Harper (Barley) / Chris Campbell (Barrowford) BMW Mini Cooper S;
“Worked very hard in there: Very fast, and an interesting with the chicane.”

Car 3, Tony Bardy (Richmond) / Neil Colman (Stockton-on-Tees) Nissan Sunny GTi-R:
“We seem to be going faster, but I think everyone’s going faster.”

Car 8, Tristan Pye (Bishop Auckland) / Andrew Falconer (Inverness) Subaru Impreza:
“We went off on the Hill Road and careered over the grass for about 100 metres: how we didn’t damage the car, I don’t know.”

Car 11, Lewis Gallagher (Tobermory) / Graham Brown (Tobermory) Subaru Impreza:
“The front tyres are peeling: very dry and very quick.”

Car 21, Alan Gardiner (Biggar) / Robin Nicholson (Largs) Ford Escort MkI:
“The tyres were good, but I don’t know if I can go any faster.”

Car 9, Jonathan Mounsey (Settle) / Richard Wardle (Pickering) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI;
“Really ragging it in there: big effort. Brilliant!”

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS13: 6.30-miles Mishnish Lochs 2
1. MacCrone 6mins 10secs; 2. Taylor +6secs; 3. Duffy +11s; 4. Pye +25; 5. Gardiner +27s; 6. Mounsey +29; 7. Gallagher +34; 8. Baird +35; 9. Morrison; +39; 10. Bird +42.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 1hr 25mins 26secs; 2. Taylor 57s; 3. O’Donnell +5:05; 4. Bardy + 5:39; 5. Pye +5:50; 6. Gardiner +6:27; 7. Gallagher +6:36; 8. Mounsey +7:12; 9. Cook +7:30; 10. Haigh 8:23.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS14: 6.30-miles Hill Road 2
1. MacCrone 5mins 36secs; 2. Taylor +13secs; 3. Bardy +24; 4. O’Donnell +25; 5. Pye +28; 6. Mounsey +30; 7. Gallagher +32; =8. Gardiner & Baird +35; 10. Cook +40.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 1hr 31mins 26secs; 2. Taylor 1min 10secs; 3. O’Donnell +5:30; 4. Bardy + 6:03; 5. Pye +6:18; 6. Gardiner +7:02; 7. Gallagher +7:08; 8. Mounsey +7:42; 9. Cook +8:10; 10. Haigh 9:11.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS15: 6.30-miles Killiemor 2
1. MacCrone 6mins 20secs; 2. Taylor +4; 3. O’Donnell +24; 4. Bardy +25; 5. Pye +31; 6. Mounsey +35; 7. P. Gibson +38; =8. Gardiner & Cook +42; 10. Gallagher +44.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 1hr 37mins 22secs; 2. Taylor +1min 14secs; 3. O’Donnell +5:54; 4. Bardy + 6:28; 5. Pye +6:49; 6. Gardiner +7:44; 7. Gallagher +7:52; 8. Mounsey +8:17; 9. Cook +8:52; 10. P. Gibson +9:50.

DRIVER QUOTES SS12:
Car 2, John MacCrone (Dervaig) / Stuart Loudon (Uddingston) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2400:
“The first loop we were on the wrong tyres, and that compromised our performance: hence we dropped time to Peter (Taylor). I needed to put a lot less effort into driving the car this time round, and we went faster. Tonight will be tough: that final 22-miler will be a real test.”

Car 15, Peter Taylor (Carlisle) / Andrew Roughead (Newcastle) Ford Focus WRC:
“The previous stage I stalled a couple of times and we dropped time: that was annoying. This one went all right, but I’m not really looking forward to the darkness: I’d like it to stay daylight.”

Car 3, Tony Bardy (Richmond) / Neil Colman (Stockton-on-Tees) Nissan Sunny GTi-R:
“We’re a bit further up because the cars ahead of us keep dropping out, but that’s fine by me. We’ll give it a go tonight.”

Car 8, Tristan Pye (Bishop Auckland) / Andrew Falconer (Inverness) Subaru Impreza:
“Clutch is still slipping, and with no anti-lag we’re still dropping around a second a mile. Off to have a good sleep now.”

Car 11, Lewis Gallagher (Tobermory) / Graham Brown (Tobermory) Subaru Impreza:
“Dropped a bit of tim at the start: we hit the tyres at the chicane, which wasn’t clever.”

Car 21, Alan Gardiner (Biggar) / Robin Nicholson (Largs) Ford Escort MkI:
“Went ok, I think. We’re happy.”

Car 7, Eddie O’Donnell jnr (Salen) / Matt Ratcliffe (Tobermory) Ford Escort RS:
“The two guys up front are cutting corners right, left and centre and pulling stones on to the road: that’s what caused the puncture which probably cost me around a minute.”

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY — LEG 1 REPORT, TIMES & QUOTES:
MacCrone leads as Duffy slithers out
Under a clear, moonlit sky, Dervaig maestro John MacCrone stablished a 1min 17sec lead which he takes into the second leg of the 44th running of the Tunnock’s Mull Rally. The MSport Ford Fiesta S2400 driver was fastest through four of the opening seven stages.
But the spectacle everyone had been waiting 12 months to see — MacCrone’s battle with last year’s winner, fellow Dervaig driver calm Duffy — disappeared on the first run through the 2.62-miler at Ardtun.
“From what I saw, it looks like Calum slid off backwards into a ditch,” MacCrone said at the end of SS3. “I’m totally gutted for him.”
With Duffy forced to retire with a broken alternator bracket — he will return for Leg 2 — MacCrone (24), second last year, found himself disorientated.
“It’s difficult now to know what to do: push, or back off to protect the lead,” he said. “I was on the brakes, off the brakes all the way through the stage.”
In the end, it appears he decided to push, clocking fastest times through the nights final three stages as the frost made conditions even trickier.
His nearest challenger is Carlisle 22-year-old Peter Taylor. Driving a 2001 Ford Focus WRC, he appeared to surprise even himself with his performance.
“To be honest, the stage was quicker than my head could keep up with,” he admitted at the end of the opening stage. “My feet and hands were quicker than my head as well. And I’ve no idea how fast we actually were. But the car’s going great.”
He starts the second leg 74s ahead of Eddie O’Donnell jnr’s Ford Escort RS, with the BMW Mini of Daniel Harpe fourth, a further 14s back. Tristan Pye completes the top five, 32s adrift of Harper, the last non-island driver to win the event in 2002.
The first stage claimed the Subaru Impreza of fourth-seed John Cope, who went off on SS1.
“We went off,” he explained, “hit a rock and destroyed the driver’s side front wheel and suspension.”
There was disappointment too for Donnie Macdonald. Ninth through the opening stage, he crashed out on SS2, blocking the stage with his Mitsubishi Evo IX, forcing the cancellation of SS1 & SS2 for the cars following.
In total, 12 cars retired during the opening seven stages.
Saturday though sees MacCrone face one of the biggest challenges of his career so far. The dilemma he faces is, does he maintain a fast pace to help keep concentration; or does he back off, protect what he has, and run the risk of losing concentration and making a mistake?
Time will tell.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS1: 8.21miles at Glen Aros
Top 10
1. Calum Duffy thru SS1 in 7min 57secs:
2. John MacCrone (8:06).
3. Peter Taylor 8:11
4. Dan Harper: 8:25
5. Eddie O’Donnell jnr 8:27
=6. Tristan Pye: 8.28
=6. Steven Ronaldson
8. Tony Bardy 8:32
9. Donnie MacDonald 8:33
=10. John Cressey 8:38
=10. Alan Gardiner 8:38.

DRIVER QUOTES SS1:
Car 1, Calum Duffy (Dervaig) / Iain Duffy (Dervaig) Ford Escort MkII
That felt good, but there were a few big slides there: not sure if that was me, having not been in the car for a year, or the conditions. At one stage we were all over the place.

Car 2, John MacCrone (Dervaig) / Stuart Loudon (Uddingston) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2400:
That was very good, it’s the first time I’ve driven the car in anger: I’ve only driven it six miles before this. We’ve just bedded ourselves into the event. There’s a lot more to come from the car: it’s a beast.

Car 3, Tony Bardy (Richmond) / Neil Colman (Stockton-on-Tees) Nissan Sunny GTi-R:
I was way too nervous: I don’t know where the courage from last year has gone. But it’s certainly blown the cobwebs away.

Car 6, Daniel Harper (Barley) / Chris Campbell (Barrowford) BMW Mini Cooper S
Yeh, pleased with that.

Car 7, Eddie O’Donnell jnr (Salen) / Matt Ratcliffe (Tobermory) Ford Escort RS:
I always enjoy the Lochs, but I guess Calum was going about 60mph faster than me.

Car 8, Tristan Pye (Bishop Auckland) / Andrew Falconer (Inverness) Subaru Impreza:
It’s always a culture shock getting back on to the roads on Mull. Problem is, I come here fired -up, but all the local guys know exactly where their going, and I don’t. I think one of the tyres has lost a bit of pressure.

Car 9, Jonathan Mounsey (Settle) / Richard Wardle (Pickering) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI;
Thrown in at the deep end, really. I haven’t driven in anger for ages.

Car 10 John Cressey (Long Preston) / Martin Cressey (Long Preston) BMW Mini Cooper S:
There were a couple of places I felt I was clinging on for grim death. Very greasy in some places, but s long as the rest of the guys felt the conditions were the same, that’s fine by me.

Car 15, Peter Taylor (Carlisle) / Andrew Roughead (Newcastle) Ford Focus WRC:
I thought something was wrong with the brakes, but I’ve had a look and they’re just gleaming hot. To be honest, the stage was quicker than my head could keep up with. My feet and hands were quicker than my head as well. And I’ve no idea how fast we actually were. But the car’s going great.

Car 20, Billy Bird (York) / Plug Pulleyn (York) Vauxhall Chevette:
Just bedding ourselves in with for the rest of the event.

Car 21, Alan Gardiner (Biggar) / Robin Nicholson (Largs) Ford Escort MkI:
Well, we’re here: we got through. We had a bit of a problem with the brakes: there’s a lot of smoke coming off the front right.

Car 23, Donnie MacDonald (Inverness) / Paul Beaton (Inverness) Mitsubishi Evo IX;
If I can equal my 12th place of last year, I’ll be well chuffed. Happy with the first stage.

Car 31, Ian Chadwick (Cork) / Johnnie Bould (Glasgow) Skoda Fabia:
I couldn’t hear a thing from my co-driver right through the stage. It’s the first time we’ve driven the Fabia and we didn’t realise it was going to be this loud inside. I basically did that stage without a co-driver.

Car 32, John Baird (Edinburgh) / Stan Quirk (Milton of Campsie) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX:
Loved the stage, all lit by moonlight: I enjoyed looking at the scenery. It was very romantic.

Car 36, Stewart Morrison (Oban) / Sam Bould (Brindle) Ford escort MkII:
Just getting our heads back round rallying: it’s the first time we’ve tackled the event for four years.

Car 43, Steven Ronaldson (Inverness) / Ann-Marie Fraser (Inverness) Metro 6R4:
We lost the back brakes.

Car 47, Robert Mathieson (Salen) / Alastair Marshall (Thornhill) Ford Fiesta:
Got a long brake pedal.

Car 50, Phil Gallagher (Leeds) / Mick Gallagher (Leeds) Ford Escort:
That was strange, and very tough. But we really enjoyed it.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS2: 16.9miles at Glen Aros/Hill Road/Loch Tuath

SS2: 1. Duffy 14.41, 2. MacCrone +6s; 3. Taylor +37s; 4. O’Donnell +58; 5. Harper +1:20; 6. Pye +1:22.

O/all after SS2:
1 Duffy 22:38;
2 MacCrone +15s;
3 Taylor +51s;
4. O’Donnell +1:28;
5. Harper +1:48;
6. Pye +1:53;
7. Ogg Mackenzie +1:56;
8. Gallagher +2.08;
9. Bardy +2.10;
10. Gardiner +2.12.

DRIVER QUOTES SS2:
Car 1, Calum Duffy (Dervaig) / Iain Duffy (Dervaig) Ford Escort MkII:
We were really tidy through there: in SS1 we were a bit erratic. That was fast and tidy: quite please with that.

Car 2, John MacCrone (Dervaig) / Stuart Loudon (Uddingston) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2400:
That was interesting. That’s two steady runs, and I’m pretty please with where we are, and how we’re getting used to the car. I feel a lot more comfortable with it. It’s fast!

Car 3, Tony Bardy (Richmond) / Neil Colman (Stockton-on-Tees) Nissan Sunny GTi-R:
Strangely, I’m feeling quite nervous, to be honest. I’m definitely not as fast as last year, but here’s a long way to go. We’re building our confidence after last year’s incident.

Car 6, Daniel Harper (Barley) / Chris Campbell (Barrowford) BMW Mini Cooper S:
Had a bit of an off. Went straight-on, managed to get restarted and lost about 10s.

Car 7, Eddie O’Donnell jnr (Salen) / Matt Ratcliffe (Tobermory) Ford Escort RS:
I saw a couple of big, thick black tyre marks: guess someone in front of me had a problem. Tell you what, he was lucky

Car 8, Tristan Pye (Bishop Auckland) / Andrew Falconer (Inverness) Subaru Impreza:
Had a problem with the anti-lag system and that’s contributed to the clutch over-heating. Cost us a bit of time: probably lost about a second-a-mile.

Car 9, Jonathan Mounsey (Settle) / Richard Wardle (Pickering) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI;
Pleased with that.

Car 10 John Cressey (Long Preston) / Martin Cressey (Long Preston) BMW Mini Cooper S:
Got a bit of an issue with torque-steering, but we’ll get that sorted at service.

Car 11, Lewis Gallagher (Tobermory) / Graham Brown (Tobermory) Subaru Impreza:
Still trying to get used to the gearbox: but there’s lots of grip out there.

Car 15, Peter Taylor (Carlisle) / Andrew Roughead (Newcastle) Ford Focus WRC:
Mega run: we went even harder than we did in SS1. Possibly lost a wee bit of concentration towards the end: it’s a long stage. But mega happy with that!

Car 12, Andrew Fenwick (Lincolnshire) / John Vance (Saddleworth) Hyundai Accent WRC:
Backed-off a bit there: trying to build my confidence. It’s fast.

Car 14, David Mann (Bungay) / Chris Hamill (Oban) Subaru Impreza WRX STI:
Really enjoying it.

Car 17, Doug Weir (Ellon) / Duncan Brown Carshalton) Ford Escort MkII:
I’ve just got to waken up: get used to the car, the conditions and the pace. But it’s a blast: really enjoying it.

Car 16, Iain Ogg Mackenzie (Dervaig) / Drew Sturrock (Brechin) Mitsubishi Evo:
Car going great, but we’e having problems with the lights, which isn’t good. Not great to be driving in semi-darkness. Bit of a nightmare, but we’ll get it sorted at service.

Car 19, Tim Stell (Huddersfield) / Mike Yates (Mirfield) Mitsubishi Evo VII:
Bit of understeer, and a lack of grip: not ideal.

Car 20, Billy Bird (York) / Plug Pulleyn (York) Vauxhall Chevette:
Bit hectic, but great. So far so good.

Car 21, Alan Gardiner (Biggar) / Robin Nicholson (Largs) Ford Escort MkI:
Quite hard work through that one. Good thing is, I think we’ve got to the bottom of the brake issues we had through SS1.

Car 31, Ian Chadwick (Cork) / Johnnie Bould (Glasgow) Skoda Fabia:
New car, but I’ll get used to it. It’s a great car.

Car 24, Chris (Curly) Haigh (Helperby) / Sally Peacock (Helperby) Ford Escort MkI:
That’s just mental: really great stuff. Fast isn’t the word. We’re having great fun.

Car 108, Fergus Barlow (Tobermory) / Alastair MacCrone (Dervaig) Citroen Saxo VTS:
We’re pretty gutted not to have done either SS1 or SS2. We’d done the nervous bit, we’d done the exciting bit, then just as we were about to go, we were told the first two stages had been cancelled.
It was really disappointing because this is the first rally i’ve ever started, and I was hoping to bed myself into the rally by doing the first two stages, because they’re close to where I live and I know the roads.
I’d really hoped to ease myself into both the car, and the rally.
Instead, my first stages are down at the south of the island on tight, twisty roads I don’t really know all that well.
I’v spoken to a few of the experienced guys and they’ve all told me, you can’t win the rally in the south, but you can definitely lose t.
My priority is simply to get through tonight, then we can pick the pace up tomorrow.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS3: 2.62-miles Ardtun 1
1. MacCrone 2mins 42secs; 2. Taylor +4s; 3. Bardy +7; 4. Car 27, D. Miller +8; 5. Harper +9; 6. O’Donnell +10; 7. Pye +11; =8. Gallagher, Weir & Gardiner +12.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS4: 2.62-miles Ardtun 2
1. MacCrone 2mins 40secs; 2. Taylor +1s; 3. Bardy +6; 4. Gardiner +9; 5. O’Donnell jnr +10; 6. Weir +11; =7. Harper, Pye, Mounsey, & Bird +13.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 28mins 15secs; 2. Taylor +41s; 3. O’Donnell +1:33; 4. Harper +1:55; 5. Pye +2:02; 6. Bardy 2:08; 7. Ogg Mackenzie +2:14; 8. Gardiner +2:18; 9. Gallagher +2:23; 10. Weir +2:47.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS5: 4.63-miles Scridain 1
1. MacCrone 3mins 59secs; 2. Taylor +5; 3. Harper +9; 4. O’Donnell +13; 5. Pye +14; 6. Bardy +17; =7. Weir & Gardiner +21; =9. Mounsey, Cressey & Gallagher +23;

O/all: 1. MacCrone 32mins 14secs; 2. Taylor +46s; 3. O’Donnell +1:46; 4. Harper +2:04; 5. Pye +2:16; 6. Bardy 2:25; 7. Gardiner +2:39; 8. Ogg Mackenzie +2:43; 9. Gallagher +2:46; 10. D. Miller + 3:04.

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS6: 8.37-miles Gribun Rocks 1
1. MacCrone 6mins 59secs; 2. Taylor +12; 3. Harper +19; 4. O’Donnell +21; 5. Pye +25; 6. Bardy +28; 7. Gallagher +30; =8. Mounsey, Gardiner, Willcock & Cressey +41.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 39mins 13secs; 2. Taylor +58s; 3. O’Donnell +2:07; 4. Harper +2:23; 5. Pye +2:41; 6. Bardy 2:53; 7. Gallagher +3.16; 8. Gardiner +2:18; 9. Ogg Mackenzie +3:26; 10. D. Miller 3:46.

DRIVER QUOTES SS6:
Car 1, Calum Duffy (Dervaig) / Iain Duffy (Dervaig) Ford Escort MkII:
“I’m totally gutted for Calum. From what I saw, it looks like he slid off backwards into a ditch. It’s difficult now to know what to do: push, or back off to protect the lead. I was on the brakes, off the brakes all the way through the stage.”

Car 3, Tony Bardy (Richmond) / Neil Colman (Stockton-on-Tees) Nissan Sunny GTi-R:
“That’s the worst stage I’ve had: it was desperate.”

Car 6, Daniel Harper (Barley) / Chris Campbell (Barrowford) BMW Mini Cooper S
“Everything seems good.”

Car 7, Eddie O’Donnell jnr (Salen) / Matt Ratcliffe (Tobermory) Ford Escort RS:
“Everything’s going fine, apart from the starter issues. Once we get her going, she’s perfect. And we’re certainly having a go.”

Car 8, Tristan Pye (Bishop Auckland) / Andrew Falconer (Inverness) Subaru Impreza:
“I’ll be better in the daylight.”

Car 9, Jonathan Mounsey (Settle) / Richard Wardle (Pickering) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI;
“We’ve stiffened up the suspension, and the car’s much better.”

Car 11, Lewis Gallagher (Tobermory) / Graham Brown (Tobermory) Subaru Impreza:
Very sloppy, and I think we lost a lot of time. Happy though.”

Car 15, Peter Taylor (Carlisle) / Andrew Roughead (Newcastle) Ford Focus WRC:
“We lost the intercom in that stage, but we’ve perfected the notes, so we can concentrate on the driving now.”

Car 14, David Mann (Bungay) / Chris Hamill (Oban) Subaru Impreza WRX STI:
“Struggled a bit in there. Getting the lines right for the jumps is crucial: if you don’t get the take-off right, you don’t get the landing right.”

Car 17, Doug Weir (Ellon) / Duncan Brown Carshalton) Ford Escort MkII:
“Loved that stage. Jumping those crests was unbelievable. We were off the road a couple of times, but it keeps everything exciting.”

Car 16, Iain Ogg Mackenzie (Dervaig) / Drew Sturrock (Brechin) Mitsubishi Evo:
“People keep going off, so I’m just concentrating on keeping the car on the road and hopefully make up places.”

Car 20, Billy Bird (York) / Plug Pulleyn (York) Vauxhall Chevette:
“Everything going to plan.”

Car 31, Ian Chadwick (Cork) / Johnnie Bould (Glasgow) Skoda Fabia:
“Car going perfectly.”

TUNNOCK’S MULL RALLY 2013
SS7: 10.85-miles Penmore
1. MacCrone 10mins 43secs; 2. Taylor +19; 3. Harper +22; 4. O’Donnell +24; 5. Ogg Macknzie +34; 6. Pye & Bardy +36; =8. Gallagher & Mounsey +30; =10. Gardiner +44.

O/all: 1. MacCrone 49mins 56secs; 2. Taylor +1min 17secs; 3. O’Donnell +2.31; 4. Harper +2:45; 5. Pye +3.17; 6. Bardy 3.29; 7. Gallagher +3.57; 8. Ogg Mackenzie +4.00; 9. Gardiner +4:04; 10. Cressey 4:47.

DRIVER QUOTES SS7:
Car 2, John MacCrone (Dervaig) / Stuart Loudon (Uddingston) M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2400:
“Glad to be here: there was a lot of ice in that stage. Certainly saw a number of puddles that were frozen. It was really sloppy: definitely starting to freeze. The car is really skittery: it’s great, but skittery. We’ve done the first thing: get experience of the car, and get through the first leg. i know we can make the car better for tomorrow.”

Car 3, Tony Bardy (Richmond) / Neil Colman (Stockton-on-Tees) Nissan Sunny GTi-R:
“It’s getting slippy, but maybe it’s actually helped us. It hasn’t really been ideal for building my confidence.”

Car 6, Daniel Harper (Barley) / Chris Campbell (Barrowford) BMW Mini Cooper S;
“Very sloppy, and I think it’ll catch a few people out. I’ve enjoyed the night: it’s gone well.”

Car 7, Eddie O’Donnell jnr (Salen) / Matt Ratcliffe (Tobermory) Ford Escort RS:
“The exhaust worked its way lose on the previous stage and the boys tied it up. But it worked loose again through the last mile r so of that stage, and got very loud.”

Car 8, Tristan Pye (Bishop Auckland) / Andrew Falconer (Inverness) Subaru Impreza:
“We’ve sorted the slipping clutch. And we’re still here, so I’m happy.”

Car 9, Jonathan Mounsey (Settle) / Richard Wardle (Pickering) Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI;
“We’re definitely getting the best out of the car, and I’m loving the slippery conditions.”

Car 10 John Cressey (Long Preston) / Martin Cressey (Long Preston) BMW Mini Cooper S:
“We’ve sorted the torque steer: we changed it. We’ll see what happens tomorrow when I can see where we’re going.”

Car 11, Lewis Gallagher (Tobermory) / Graham Brown (Tobermory) Subaru Impreza:
“It’s getting better and better. Getting used to new gearbox: haven’t missed a gear yet.”

Car 15, Peter Taylor (Carlisle) / Andrew Roughead (Newcastle) Ford Focus WRC:
“I think the brakes are smoking. Up until the last couple of miles, everything was fine, but then it got very slippy. Lots of ice. I hope we’ve held on to second, and we’re looking forward to daylight.”

Car 14, David Mann (Bungay) / Chris Hamill (Oban) Subaru Impreza WRX STI:
“It’s been good. Conditions not bad, but seeing the frost on the grass was a bit off-putting.”

Car 17, Doug Weir (Ellon) / Duncan Brown Carshalton) Ford Escort MkII:
“We hit something. Flat left over a jump went wide and hit a rock. We damaged the front right of the car: think we have a puncture (he did).”

Car 19, Tim Stell (Huddersfield) / Mike Yates (Mirfield) Mitsubishi Evo VII:
“Happy to have got to the end of the night.”

Car 20, Billy Bird (York) / Plug Pulleyn (York) Vauxhall Chevette:
“Bit greasy in there.”

Car 21, Alan Gardiner (Biggar) / Robin Nicholson (Largs) Ford Escort MkI:
“Glad I’ve got to the end. Hard rallying, but good fun for 2WD cars. It was slippery and damp under the trees.”

Car 24, Chris (Curly) Haigh (Helperby) / Sally Peacock (Helperby) Ford Escort MkI:
“Loving it: fantastic. Really getting going now. But that’s as fast as I can go.”

Car 31, Ian Chadwick (Cork) / Johnnie Bould (Glasgow) Skoda Fabia:
“The car’s freezing cold: just can’t get it hot enough. As a result it’s not working as well as it should.”

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