Abingdon CAR-nival Stages 2003
8th June 2003
 
Click on the link to the left to view the Full Final Results
 
Report
The seventh running of the Abingdon CAR-nival Stages organised by Farnborough & District and Sutton & Cheam Motor Clubs as usual attracted a full field of 110 cars. Held at the ex RAF Jaguar base, the 8 stages offered plenty of variety and some 90 competitive miles. The event was also the latest round of the Bigger Bites Rally 2003 Championship.
Seeded at 1 was the 2001 winner, Tom Lambert in a Darrian T9, co driven by James Morris. At 2 competing in his first event for some time was Stephen Price (son of multi National Tarmac Champion John) and Justin Brooks in a Metro 6R4 2.8. At 3 was the similar 2.5 machine of husband and wife team, Steve and Yvonne Furzeland. Andy Orchard and Carl Sorenson in an Escort Cosworth were at 4, with Chris Davies and Brandon Parker in a Darrian T90 seeded at 5.
Overnight rain gave the crews a headache for tyre choice on SS1 although this didn't seem to phase the Furzelands who took an immediate 12 second lead from Davis/Parker, with Lambert/Morris 3 further seconds adrift. Price slithered his way round the stage on the wrong tyres coming in 4th fastest, 12 seconds behind Lambert. Fifth fastest on the opener was car 18, David Nutt in his Escort Cosworth. David was being co-driven by last years winner Simon Mauger who was obviously showing him the shortest way around the venue!
SS2 was a repeat performance from team Furzeland, although Price/Brooks were getting into the old groove taking joint second with Davis/Parker; these 3 being the only crews to get under 12 minutes for the stage.
Stage 3 saw a blistering drive from Price who took fastest time by 1 second from the Davies Darrian with Furzeland and Lambert 9 seconds in arrears. However, that was about as far as "Half Price" got as on the next stage, he pulled the Metro over with a terminal engine problem.
The weather had been pretty sunny up until this point, but showers now threatened….
The leading cars made their way through SS5 without problems except for Orchard and Sorenson who left the fray with mechanical problems. However, the heavens opened for the second half of the field making conditions treacherous. This caught out Richard Clews and Barry James - their Peugeot 106 making a heavy impact with a concrete retaining wall thankfully without injury to either crew member, but car 72, another Peugeot driven by Tony Lawrence and Danny Gray, had a bigger off necessitating medical attention for the co driver.
The ensuing delay meant the cancellation of SS6, but slick organisation saw the route changed around for the final 2 tests in record time!
The Furzelands pulled further away from the field over the final 2 stages for a well deserved victory, taking 5 fastest stage times en route. Lambert/Morris finished a fine second well ahead of the third placed crew of David and Matthew Wilkes. Fourth and 1st in class C was Jeremy Straker and Neil Harrison following up on their excellent second place in last months Brook Motorsport Stages, and in fifth, just one second behind was Nutt/Mauger who also took class E honours.
Rounding off the top 6 was Julian and Tina Wilkes after an amazing drive in their 1400 Nova! Needless to say they also took class A honours!
 
This review Courtesy of Mark Welch who produces the excellent Rallying Online Website, click here to view the full report and pictures
Photos Courtesy of Rally Gallery.com. Click here to see loads more great Rally Pictures