Whilst many of us are digging out our Winter woollies and wet weather gear for the annual pilgrimage to Clonakilty for the West Cork Rally, Challenge Contenders Tom Coughtrie and Ian Fraser have slightly more exotic plans. The lads from Ayr and the Isle of Mull will be on the island of Majorca, forsaking Murphys and paracetemol for paella and parasols. (Picture by Mike Frayne)
The crew have nominated the Mallorca Classico as their optional overseas round after taking a class victory on the Cambrian Rally in their Mitsubishi Galant VR4.
Unlike most historic spec. Escorts which have been built over the years, Tom actually owns a genuine David Sutton built car which he has had from new. For those of us under a certain age, Sutton ran cars for Drivers including Ari Vatanen, Pentti Airikkala, Roger Clark, Björn Waldegård in the 70’s. They enter in the competitive section of the event which also caters for a regularity run, youth and Modern Classic sections. See: https://www.rallyislamallorca.com/index.php?Idi=2
Steve Ormond-Smith hoped for better luck on the Isle of Man after differential failure ended his Cambrian Rally run. His company Ormco Accounts sponsors and promote the event which takes place on Jurby Aerodrome at the northern end of the island. Steve wheeled out his tarmac specification Evo IX but with a coolant issue early on the crew decided to call it a day to save the engine. Steve plans so far are to enter his gravel spec. car which was driven by his girlfriend Ealish Baxter on the Ormco Stages, in three more IPS Paint Rally Challenge rounds whilst he will also compete on all of the Manx tarmac and gravel championship rounds.
Our Double Champion Rhys Stoneman and fellow Junior Contender Keaton Williams have both nominated the Ypres Rally in Belgium in June.
The Rally Challenge is run in the same spirit as its promoting Club, Maesteg DMC, and any Contenders who wish to change their mind about which event they nominate before the event begins will be catered for.
