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.”