Second Podium for Black in FUCHS LUBRICANTS BTRDA 1400 Rally
Black family bonanza in Builth
The MG crew of Callum Black / Michael Gilbey were again on the top step of the FUCHS LUBRICANTS 1400 Rally Challenge which took place last weekend in mid Wales, running at the front of the BTRDA Championship Rallynuts Stages rally.
Finishing in second place at the end of the six classic Welsh stages was Chris Powell / Jim Lewis (Talbot Sunbeam) followed by the Suzuki Swift of Callum’s dad Steve Black / Paul Morris.
FUCHS Lubricants Classic Mini Challenge April 21st
The third round of the FUCHS Lubricants Classic Mini Challenge will take place this Easter Sunday on the Warcop Stages rally in Cumbria. A good entry is anticipated for this tarmac event, held on the military ranges in the east of the Eden valley.
Rick Ford (Mini Cooper) is looking forward to renewing his rivalry with Jim Brindle (also in a Cooper), and the outlook for the weekend is for fine and sunny weather.
Busy weekend for Brown and Bellerbys
Steve Brown is looking forward to a busy time this coming Easter weekend – he travels to Belgium on Friday to take part in the recce for the next round of the Flanders International Rally Challenge which is on Saturday, and to collect his award for winning class M2-B in last year’s championship, then on Sunday he returns to the UK to ready himself for the second round of the British Rallycross Championship. The event is being held at the Lydden Hill rallycross circuit in Kent, the ‘home’ of British rallycross.
Equally busy the same weekend, also at the Lydden Hill circuit, will be Drew and Paige Bellerby.
They ae both taking advantage of the opportunity for a test day on Saturday April 20, before Kevin and Dave get the cars re-prepped for the event itself on Easter Monday. If you are planning on attending, please be aware that this is a very popular event, so leave time for getting into the circuit in the morning.
Neil Kirkham Ford Escort G3 (Pictured)
FUCHS’ supported driver Neil Kirkham was competing in Belgium last weekend when he took his Gartrac G3 Escort to the TAC rally. The car ran faultlessly throughout the event and Neil was pleased to bring his classic machine home without incident. Neil uses both FUCHS engine and gear oils in this rare and unusual example of the Ford Escort.
Naylor takes top ten spot in Wales
Mitsubishi Evo 9 crew Pat Naylor and Ian Lawrence were delighted with their ninth place on the third round of the BTRDA Rally Championship, the Rallynuts stages rally which was centred on the Royal Showground in Builth Wells. The six stages were held in classic rallying country on the gravel roads of the forests including Hafren and Sweet Lamb. The fine, sunny weather was in complete contrast to the bleak snow and blizzards of the last round in Cumbria in March, and meant that the stages held up well throughout the day. Naylor / Lawrence were pleased with their performance on the stages, and it was their consistency during the day that paid dividends.
Joel misses out on points in Wales
FUCHS supported crew Ian Joel / Graeme Wood (Ford Escort Cosworth) were hoping for better luck last weekend on the third round of the BTRDA Championship, the Rallynuts Stages, than they managed on the Malcolm Wilson rally in March.
However, it was not to be, as a fine run through the first five stages (which saw them holding seventh place overall) ended on the last stage of the day when they stripped a gear on the input shaft and could go no further. Later, Joel said: “It was a real shame, as we’d had a good run, and the stages were still in excellent condition.”
David Bogie heads to Scotland
Skoda R5 driver David Bogie will be competing on the Speyside stages rally on Saturday April 20, the third round of the Scottish rally championship. The event is based in Elgin, Morayshire.
Searle hits top spot
Tommy Searle scooped a fantastic overall win for Kawasaki Team Green at the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship in Lyng.
A two race battle with main title rival Shaun Simpson ended with Tommy taking top honours after winning the last Moto.
There are only two points in it moving into round three at Canada Heights in a few weeks’ time.
Superbikes are go
The long wait for the new Bennetts British Superbikes season is nearly over.
The championship returns with the opening round at Silverstone this weekend.
We’ll be focussed on our FUCHS Silkolene-backed teams - Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki, Be Wiser Ducati and Smiths Racing BMW.
Kawasaki rider Glenn Irwin is confident of mounting a title challenge.
"The bike is suited to my style of riding. Testing was difficult but there were a lot of positives," he said.
"I fought for victories at Silverstone last year and the aim is to be contesting for podiums and wins every weekend - some weekends it will happen, some weekends it won't."
Morgan back from China
BTCC ace Adam Morgan has returned from his latest jaunt to China.
The Morganator had three days in Beijing filming for the new Haima 8S advert.
He was right back at it after his 10,000-mile round trip with BTCC testing Thruxton.
