HHandbrakesandbrakes airpins HHairpins g he world of rallyin & yyourour insightinsight intointo thet world of

CCoverover LLatvalaatvala wwins!ins! IIssuessue 114444 • 5 - 1111 AAugug 22010010 hhttp://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress.comttp://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress.com FFeatureseatures NNewsews L’Estage wins EEventsvents Breen at WRC bronze, P9 LP,LPP1P, P1P18 Drew Sturrock Carnival City 400 reports, P10 SARC,SA P13 news update Horsey takes X G, P17 RRaceFansTV has top ten, P8 rrally channel Contents / Issue 144 04 News Welcome to H&H! 06 Features Welcome to issue 144 of HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS, your FREE weekly insight into 07 Breen strong in Finland the world of rallying! 08 Horsey takes top ten in Finland Another jam-packed issue for you, 09 L’Estage wins bronze at 16 dear readers, this week. We also have a 10 Sturrock succeeds in Port Elizabeth new COMPETITION for you, dear readers, 11 comes to the USA with the Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally Team! For details, click to Page 18. As always, I hope you enjoy this week’s exciting edition! 12 Events 13 Volkswagen Rally 2WD REVIEW Yours in Rallying, 14 WRC Rally Finland REVIEW 16 Int’l Rally of Queensland REVIEW Evan Rothman 17 X Games 16 REVIEW 18 Lurgan Park Rally REVIEW

Contact Editorial Information E-mail us [email protected] Editor Evan Rothman Call us +27 83 452 6892 Photojournalist Eva Kovkova Surf us http://wp.me/pkXc Contributors RallyBuzz, Drew Sturrock, Jordan Murphy, Motorpics To receive your FREE weekly HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS eMagazine, All content copyrighted property of or if you’d like to share this with a friend HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS, 2007- please send your e-mail address to 10. This publication is fully protected by [email protected]. copyright and nothing may be reprinted in HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS is not a whole or in part without written permission SPAM e-mail: email addresses are added to from the editor. While reasonable the mailing list voluntarily. precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of information from sources and given to readers, the editor cannot accept responsibility for any inconvenience or damage that may arise therefrom.

ATS has a very special ‘while stocks last’ offer on the Peltor FMT110 intercom!

Poor communication is a recipe for disaster in a rally car, that’s why we’re offering a Peltor communication kit comprising the renowned FMT110 intercom and FC15 battery eliminator at just R2095 + VAT for both items, a saving of around R900 or 30 percent on the standard pricing. But hurry – there are only a limited number of these communication kits available following which we will only be stocking the new (and more expensive) FMT120 intercom.

Contact us on 011 670 8400 to take advantage. Do you receive our monthly newsletter, ATS News? If not you’re missing out… send an e-mail with your first name, last name and the e-mail address to use to: [email protected] click>> read >> enjoy

your insight into the world of rallying http://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress.com ws NNewse rally news tthehe wworld’sorld’s latestlatest rally news NEWS JOIN HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS ON DAILY ONLINE UPDATES FACEBOOK OR TWITTER For your convenience, here are the news items in this easy-to- click menu page: With the ever-increasing number of events and news items being published on a daily basis, HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS Latvala fl ies to glory in Finland: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1sR has published relevant news items to its website and Facebook ’s HUGE WRC Rally Finland crash - VIDEO: Page, and we also feature breath-taking videos from YouTube! http://wp.me/ppkXc-1t5 Massive Group N crash (rolling x8 ) - WRC Rally Finland 2010 Day One: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1tt Kankkunen’s WRC Comeback (long video version) - WRC Rally Finland 2010: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1tr Ford’s YouTube WRC Rally Finland Review: http://wp.me/ ppkXc-1tp Flying Finn succumbs to speedy Swede in epic FSTi battle: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1tc Rally legend Kankkunen takes Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally Award in Finland: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1t7 SS14 of 2010 WRC Rally Finland: Jari-Matti Latvala’s mesmerised all rivals (WITH VIDEO): http://wp.me/ppkXc-1u3

EUROPEAN AND INTERCONTINENTAL RALLY CHALLENGE SERIES Rossetti to uphold Abarth honour in Madeira IRC: http:// wp.me/ppkXc-1sA Skoda vows to hit back on Rali Vinho Madeira: http://wp.me/ ppkXc-1sy Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally plans take shape: http:// wp.me/ppkXc-1sO Meeke expects close Madeira fi ght with Magalhaes: http:// wp.me/ppkXc-1sC Wittmann targets Zlin for IRC return: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1sE IRC Rally Vinho Madeira preview: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1sI

BRITISH AND IRISH RALLYING Northern Irish lead BRC into home event: http://wp.me/ ppkXc-1sN Breen Debuts Kick Energy Ford Fiesta to 19th in World Rally Finland: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1t2 Citroen’s DS3 RS set for Ulster shakedown: http://wp.me/ ppkXc-1u5 RaceFansTV has a Rally Channel: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1tM From rookie to rally champion - all in one year!: http://wp.me/ ppkXc-1tJ

AFRICAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN RALLYING AND OFF-ROAD RACING Underdogs set to have their day on 4X4 Mega World 400 at Carnival City: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1sW

USA AND RALLYCAR RALLY NEWS AND EVENTS Foust wins X Games: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1sY Download the FREE iRally app! Ford Fiesta Takes X Games 16 Golds: http://wp.me/ppkXc-1tl The iRally App is produced by Crown House Media, the Latest evolution of rallying in USA: RallyCar Rallycross well-known UK TV and radio agency which created, owns (VIDEO): http://wp.me/ppkXc-1u1 and operates the popular World Rally Radio internet radio station. It is supported by Ford and is available to download FREE of charge via iTunes at HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS NOW http://itunes.apple.com/ gb/app/irally-2010-wrc- AVAILABLE IN SEVEN LANGUAGES! irc/id347126364?mt=8 The power and universal appeal of both the Internet and from the App Store on the rallying around the world has prompted me to offer H&H’s iPhone by typing iRally into website in seven different languages. Simply visit the website, the Search window. scroll down to fi nd you favoured language (represented by a country’s fl ag) and select. It is that easy! atures g FFeaturese he world of rallyin yyourour insightinsight intointo thet world of rallying FEATURES

BREEN SWEEPS TO STRONG FIN(N)ISH IN FIESTA S2000

Story: Staff Writer sights early in the season that this would Picture: www.rallyprint.com be the perfect venue to debut the Kick Energy Fiesta by taking on the world’s In his First World Rally best and fi nd out where he stood when Championship event in the “KICK the last gravel stage was completed. ENERGY” , Craig The biggest accident of his Breen recorded his best result at career to date knocked his confi dence six world level, 19th Overall, tenth in weeks ago, but it also served to refocus the N4 class and the fi fth Ford Fiesta him both mentally and physically. There S2000 home. wasn’t to be a Class win in 2010, but Breen started Thursday what has been achieved is, Breen is evening’s super special starting to mature as by jumping from his a driver, he can set a seeding of 67th to goal and achieve it, 34th, and as the most he will not let outside technical rally in the recorded his infl uences draw his WRC resumed on attention away from Friday morning Breen best result at the bigger picture. His started his rise up world level, stage times give an the leaderboard. This ideal example of this; culminated with the 19th overall, on every test that was current Irish Young repeated, the Kick Rally driver of the year tenth in N4 Energy car improved claiming his highest it’s time from the fi nish of his career on class. previous run. the world stage. Breen got the perfect boost Craig Breen, who turned 20 last last week just before the event when February has had WRC Rally Finland in word came through that he had been the back of his mind from the time he nominated by Motorsport Ireland to decided to purchase the Fiesta S2000. represent his Country in the forthcoming Twelve months ago he got Northern European section of the his fi rst taste of what the locals call Star Driver Shootout in Sweden. The “Jyväskylä Suurajot” (the “Jyväskylä shootout will take place in conjunction Great Race”). On his way to securing the with the Snapphane Rally in Hassleholm, 2009 FSTi title, Breen claimed a Class Sweden, on August 14th. Breen will win in Finland, on his fi rst outing after a compete against drivers from Finland, rally-long fi ght with Jussi Kumpumäki. Sweden, Norway, Germany and the UK. After moving to the S2000, Breen set his FEATURES

TANAK WINS PWRC, HORSEY CLAIMS TOP TEN IN FINLAND

Story: Staff Writer but a puncture slowed him in SS15 due to the reversed running order for Pictures: FIA and Geoff Mayes Media and left him on the bottom step of the Thursday night’s televised opening podium at the end of the second day. stage. Neste Oil Rally Finland is always Paddon admitted he had struggled to a special event, but this year’s fi nd his rhythm on the opening day, not Peter Horsey said: “Being the 60th anniversary was even more helped by a vibration from the wheels fi rst car over the ramp at the start of special – and more demanding as and diffi culties in getting the set-up of the event was an amazing feeling for the three-day schedule was packed the Mitsubishi to his liking. He was much me. This is such a big rally. When we into an arduous two-day fl at-out happier on Saturday and pleased with won our place in the race through the fastest forests his second podium fi nish in as many scheme last year, this was the event I in Finland. And, at the end, Pirelli PWRC outings – following his Rally New was looking forward to the most, so to Star Driver Ott Tänak Zealand victory. lead the fi eld away – and on the 60th fi nished fi rst in the Alex Raschi was 12th anniversary of one of the world’s biggest PWRC after a faultless, Ott Tänak in PWRC after the fi rst events – was actually quite emotional. sure-footed drive. stage, but made up six Going into the rally, things didn’t start Ott Tänak fi nished places to end the event too well: we went into a ditch on the fi rst was under tremendous fi fth on Saturday. The corner on Friday. We had a noisy rear pressure when he arrived fi rst in the San Marino driver had differential towards the end of the fi rst at the start of Rally Finland PWRC after underestimated the day, there was a lot of rattling coming on Thursday evening. For task ahead of him on from it near the end of the fi nal stage – the two previous events a faultless, this event, but an early but it didn’t cost us any time. We also in the Pirelli Star Driver morning run through had the co-driver’s window break on programme, the 22-year- sure-footed the rollercoaster Urria Myhinpaa, it wouldn’t go up after Calvin old Estonian had held a test soon got him on had fi nished at the control. That was a commanding position, drive. message, the message bit of a shame as it brought a fair bit only to let it slip on the being that Finland of dust into the car, but in fairness it fi nal day, crashing heavily in Turkey and is to be survived fi rst time around wasn’t going to spoil my enjoyment of Portugal. This time around, he started and enjoyed on the second occasion. the stage. I have to say, Myhinpaa has the event with advice ringing in his ears. Raschi’s car, like the rest of the been the best road we have been on There were concerned looks when Tänak Italia-tuned Lancers, ran without any during the event. It was just incredible, talked about having to modify his pace problems during the 19-stage Rally the perfect stage. There weren’t so on the fi rst morning for fear of crashing, Finland. Kenyan driver Peter Horsey many junctions to slow the rhythm or but in the end he turned in a perfect and Lebanon’s Nick Georgiou engaged anything like that, it just fl owed so well performance. He was still in the fi ght in their own private battle for the fi nal – it was a real drivers’ stage. It’s helped for fi rst place in PWRC when rapid local points-paying positions. Georgiou was having Calvin here; he’s worked on this driver bounced his Mitsubishi the quicker of the pair for the fi rst day, event so many times before that he has off a bank and broke the suspension. but Horsey bounced back and passed a really good insight into what’s coming. When the Finn faltered, Tänak moved his team-mate on Saturday afternoon. I feel like everything has come together in and led from SS7 until the end of the Both drivers were delighted with their for me on the rally: I’ve been happy with event. fi rst visit to the event they’d been most the notes, we’ve committed to the notes For a while on Saturday looking forward to from the start of the and the speed hasn’t been a problem lunchtime, it looked as though the Pirelli programme. Horsey also had the honour to do that. Rally Finland has been Star Driver programme could supply a of leading the entire fi eld – a fi eld everything I hoped it would be; such a one-two, with New Zealander Hayden including four-time world champion Juha big challenge but incredibly rewarding at Paddon turning in an exceptional rookie Kankkunen who was contesting his 22nd the same time.” performance to take third position in Rally Finland – away from the start. PWRC. He moved up to second on SS14, Horsey was fi rst on the road FEATURES

ANTOINE L’ESTAGE PUTS THE ‘X’ INTO X GAMES 16

Story: Staff Writer 2007 X Games gold medalist Tanner Picture: Coyote Rallye Media Services Foust before Foust went on to become the eventual winner of both the Rally Car Recently-crowned 2010 Rally Racing and Super Rally events. America Champion, Antoine L’Estage “I’m defi nitely not embarrassed added another achievement to his getting knocked out by Tanner. He’s a impressive list this past weekend very talented driver and North America’s after winning a medal in the Rally best hope in European RallyCross, Car Racing discipline at the ESPN which is similar to what we do at the X Games, a feat that no other X Games,” commented L’Estage, who Canadian can claim prior to this shares his result due to insuffi cient time year. to run the scheduled Quebecois bronze medal match. L’Estage, of St-Jean- I got used to The Super Rally event sur-Richelieu, competed saw L’Estage fi nish in both the Rally Car the course third in a heat that Racing and SuperRally included Foust, Brack, events, held in front a fairly quickly and Swede Hubinette, large crowd at the Los and I also missing out on the Angeles Coliseum and Last Chance Qualifying presented live on ABC had luck on round by two seconds. and ESPN. In an event Rockstar that excluded the use my side. Energy Drink had of co-drivers since last athletes on all steps year, the complicated layout of this of the podium as showman Brian new course proved to be the deciding Deegan won the silver medal in both factor in several rounds of the Rally Car disciplines. “This was an extremely Racing event, as L’Estage moved on from successful outing for Rockstar and I am his fi rst round against pleased with all the visibility they earned championship runner-up Bill Bacon because of our results and success at before eliminating Sweden’s 2009 X the X Games. As for me, I’m happy Games gold medalist Kenny Brack in the with my performance and the car has quarter-fi nals. no major damage, which can be pretty “I wanted to be competitive rare in X Games competition,” explains but I didn’t have huge expectations Antoine. “As the only team competing in going into the X Games since my large the entire Rally America and Canadian Rockstar Energy Drink Mitsubishi Evo Rally championships, my entire crew X is less nimble for this type of course has been working extremely hard and than the majority of the other cars in under tight deadlines. They can now the competition. I got used to the course have a little well-earned break before we fairly quickly and I also had luck on my head to Rallye Défi for the next round side.” of the Canadian Rally Championship in In the semi-fi nal round, Antoine September.” L’Estage lost to Rockstar teammate and FEATURES

STURROCK SUCCEEDS IN PORT ELIZABETH

Story: Drew Sturrock rallying in South Africa – any one of margin at only 1 second, and then we Pictures: Motorpics six or seven drivers can win. All the moved to snatch the lead from him time, you have to go max attack, or the on stage 3 with a time that was seven The weather is always a big talking competition will get the better of you, seconds quicker than anyone else, giving point whenever I go over to South which leads to some of the most exciting us a cushion of about ten seconds over Africa; the folk back home are rallying I have experienced. the rest of the fi eld. amazed at how hot it is over there, The stages around Port It was a cushion that Enzo Kuun the guys in South Africa are amazed Elizabeth in the Longmore Forest are was determined to eat away at over at how cold it gets back home. So truly stunning, fast and fl owing but also the remaining stages, but we held fi rm, when I arrived very deceptive; determined to bring the Toyota home in Port Elizabeth This is why I real rally roads. atop the podium in Volkswagen’s back wearing a light The tarmac stages yard. T-shirt and jeans, love rallying in at Scribante and The fi nal stage at Kings Beach the looks I got Kings Beach were was to be the showdown between the from the assembled South Africa. also very good, Polo of Enzo and the Castrol Auris of rallying masses especially for ourselves, but while managing to take dressed in fl eeces, scarves and spectators to get up close and personal 3.2 seconds from us his effort was in wooly hats were ones of surprise with the teams. vain, and it was the red green and white and wonderment – how is this kid We knew from the start that Toyota on the top step, followed by the going to survive in these 16 degree we had to push all the way - with the two Polos of Enzo Kuun and Jan Habig temperatures? Ford Fiesta S2000 of that made up the podium. It was not a case of survival, out for blood after his two non-fi nishes Rallying is at its very best in after all 16 degrees is Scottish summer on the last two rounds, Enzo Kuun South Africa, the level of competition is time temperatures. The weather was trying to capitalise on his championship immense and to triumph you have to be no big issue for me; all I was concerned standing, Jan Habig trying to improve at the top of your game from the word about was winning the rally. The on his second place fi nish last time out, go until you spray the champagne at the 2010 Volkswagen Rally held in Port and Hergen Fekken (BP Volkswagen fi nish. For me, I now have the Speyside Elizabeth, was indeed won by our team, Polo S2000) out to try and get his Stages to contest in the North of making myself and Johnny Gemmell championship back on track after his two Scotland, before shipping out once again the fi rst crew to win two rounds of non fi nishes it was fl at out from the time to contest the Osram Mountain Trail, the 2010 Sasol South African National the countdown reached zero. Of course which from the stories I have heard, Championship at the helm of our Castrol the BP Volkswagen team had a bit of sounds absolutely amazing. Toyota Auris s2000, and rocket us right extra pressure and inspiration to win As always, my thanks go out to to the top of the leaderboard, Johnny what with this round being their home Castrol, Toyota and to Glyn Hall and his now being tied on points with the BP rally. We knew we were in for an epic team for the support and assistance and Volkswagen Polo S2000 of driver Enzo battle. for making it all possible. Standing on Kuun. Conrad took the initial the top step of the Volkswagen podium After the nerve-rackingly advantage, blasting through some 11 in our Toyota overalls was an amazing close fi nish at the last round, the Rally seconds quicker than us in second feeling, and it’s a feeling that we want to of South Africa in Ermelo where we place, followed by Jan Habig a further 3 repeat on the 21 August. succeeded over the BP Volkswagen Polo seconds adrift. Things didn’t go Hergen of Jan Habig/Ralph Pitchford by a slender Fekken’s way at all when we passed DREW STURROCK from Scotland 0.7 secs, we were really hoping for a bit him near the end of the stage with what co-drives for Johnny Gemmell in more space to breath this time, but Enzo looked to be broken suspension. the Castrol Team Toyota S2000. and Guy gave us none, and our winning So it was Conrad ahead, but on Read his adventures exclusively in margin, while doubled from last time, the second stage it all went pear shaped HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS. was still only 1.5 seconds. as he went off the road under braking But this is why I love the and lost 10 seconds to us, leaving the RALLYCROSS COMES TO USA

Story: Staff Writer among motorsport. In conjunction with Promotion for the Rallycross the new series, Rally America is also series will be undertaken by the youth Side-by-side dirt racing action, big rebranding to RallyCar. The new identity motorsports specialists at Gale + Co. jumps and some of the best off- for the organization refl ects its increased “Rallycross offers an excellent road drivers in the world will come scope as the premier sanctioning body platform to showcase the power and to America in 2011 for an exciting for rally car racing events in the United durability of mid-size and compact new national championship series: States. In addition to the introduction of vehicles in America,” said Gale and RallyCar Rallycross. the Rallycross events, the organization Company President Brian Gale. “It’s a Organizers are planning a 2011 will continue to sanction its traditional sport that appeals to an audience hungry Rallycross national championship series stage rally series in 2011 where the to see production based cars driven at that includes six events at racetracks Rally America name will continue. the edge.” across the country. The sport debuted in “We’re expanding as an America on Saturday at X Games, under organization and we wanted to make a About RallyCar: the name SuperRally, and will play host change that refl ects our commitment to RallyCar sanctions the premier to three initial events held later this year rally car events in 2011,” said RallyCar performance rally series in the United at the New Jersey Motorsports Park. Top president JB Niday. “The introduction States, the Rally America National drivers including Rally Team USA of Super Rally presents a perfect Championship Series. In 2010, competitors and Dave opportunity for us to change our name RallyCar is conducting six National Mirra, as well as drift and rally stars to refl ect what we’re about: racing rally Championship events at venues across , Samuel Hübinette and cars – whether that’s on endurance- the country, from Olympia, Washington Andrew “ACP” Comrie-Picard are set to based Special Stage courses, or through to Newry, Maine. Additionally, through compete in Rallycross. The action-sport the new Rallycross short-course format.” a partnership with ESPN, qualifying of auto racing, Rallycross is a blend of It is expected there will be RallyCar drivers are invited to compete circuit racing, off-road racing and rally two classes of cars in this initial year in ESPN’s Summer X Games 16, the competition. Debuting at X Games under of Rallycross competition. The faster, annual leading action-sports event the name SuperRally, the sport promises all-wheel-drive cars will resemble that’s broadcast live on ESPN. For more intense crowd-pleasing action in a fan- those used in current Rally America information, be sure to visit www. friendly track environment. Five drivers competition including the all-wheel drive rallyamerica.com. line up to start at once, piloting high- used by four-time American RallyCar is introducing horsepower compact cars through race rally champion Pastrana and BMX legend Rallycross racing to America for the fi rst traffi c over a challenging short course Mirra, and the Ford Fiesta cars piloted time on August 27-28, October 9-10, that features jumps, unbanked turns, at X Games in 2010 by Foust, Indy 500 and November 6-7 at the New Jersey hills and transitions between pavement winner Kenny Brack, motocross and Motorsports Park. Fans will be able to and gravel. short-course offroad driver Brian Deegan watch rally cars compete wheel-to- “It’s an incredibly challenging and gymkhana star . wheel on a closed-loop 1.3 mile tarmac and aggressive sport,” said driver Foust, The second category of and gravel circuit in timed heats from who has been competing in European Rallycross cars will be two-wheel-drive the comfort of grandstands and special championship events this season. “The and include various body styles from viewing areas. action is non-stop and the fans can’t get manufacturers such as Dodge and enough of it.” Honda boasting 450+ horsepower, Fans get close to the action with highly modifi ed engines and rally-style trackside viewing of aggressive door-to- suspension. Both categories include door action and the sliding and jumping vehicles currently being used in the Rally that makes rally car events unique America National Rally Championship.

ATS has a very special ‘while stocks last’ offer on the Peltor FMT110 intercom!

Poor communication is a recipe for disaster in a rally car, that’s why we’re offering a Peltor communication kit comprising the renowned FMT110 intercom and FC15 battery eliminator at just R2095 + VAT for both items, a saving of around R900 or 30 percent on the standard pricing. But hurry – there are only a limited number of these communication kits available following which we will only be stocking the new (and more expensive) FMT120 intercom.

Contact us on 011 670 8400 to take advantage. Do you receive our monthly newsletter, ATS News? If not you’re missing out… send an e-mail with your first name, last name and the e-mail address to use to: [email protected] ents EEventsv iews and reviews tthehe ffullull eventevent previewsprev and reviews EVENTS

POULTER ONCE AGAIN FASTEST 2WD CHALLENGER

Story: Evan Rothman represented by Toyota and Volkswagen Cape Town teenager Ashley Pictures: Motorpics machines in each class, but on their Haigh-Smith and talented co-driver home event it seemed that Toyota Hilton Auffray (React Toyota Yaris A5) The long and challenging sweeps, dominated proceedings in all classes. drove to another well-earned and well- hairpins and blind crests of the It was rally rookie Leeroy deserved Class win in Class A5. Haigh- Longmore Forest’s stages for this Poulter and Henry Dearlove that Smith powered to the fi nish on Saturday year’s Volkswagen Rally, highlighted outperformed their rivals at this event, afternoon with a Class winning margin of the bravery of South Africa’s fastest as they have done in the previous four 10m 01,8s over Chad Lambert/Herman two-wheel drive rally crews. Leaving rounds of the Championship. They beat Groenewald (Lambert Steel Toyota Yaris braking points to the very last metre off the quicker Class A7 cars in most of A5). Haigh-Smith’s biggest competition possible, it was a pleasure to watch the 11 stages, but at the end of Day Two thus far in the Class A5 Championship the likes of Leeroy Poulter and co- no Class A7 cars managed to reach the has come in the form of Andre driver Henry Dearlove (Imperial fi nal time control… Cleenwerck/Kes Naidoo (BP Volkswagen Toyota RunX A6) set In a measured CitiGolf A5), but this crew rolled heavily mighty impressive drive, Poulter bested in what was described by Cleenwerck stage times against It was rally his Class rivals Tjaart as his biggest crash in his rally career the faster Class A7 Conradie/Riaan to date on SS1 in the Longmore Forest. crews. rookie Leeroy Ersamus (Silverton Fortunately, the crew was relatively The Engineering/Hencom uninjured by the massive off. Volkswagen Rally Poulter Autobody Toyota Class N3, with four competitors 2010, round fi ve of and Henry Auris A6) once more taking to the fi rst stage, was in for a big the South African by 02min 01,1sec. battle for the Class win. A Championship Rally Championship, Dearlove that In only one stage did fi ght between Megan and Oliver Verlaque was played out in and Conradie beat Poulter (Toyota RunX N3) and Abduraghman around Port Elizabeth outperformed in stage times, but Amlay and Yusuf Ganief (Toyota RunX at the end of last for the remainder N3) was set to rage on in the Eastern month (HANDBRAKES their rivals at of the rally it was a Cape, but the Verlaque crew were & HAIRPINS featured this event. Poulter Show. A battle sidelined near the fi nish of SS1 with a the event review in royal, however, was broken fuel pipe and Amly/Ganief were last week’s issue, and you can read this expected, but Conradie suffered poor ruled out after SS6. This meant that article here: http://ow.ly/2kjDu). The luck throughout the weekend: in SS2 Stefanie and Willem Hugo (Toyota RunX overall victory was well deserved by the he hit a rock that destroyed his power N3) and Robson Maganezi/Shaun Visser crew of the Castrol Team Toyota Auris steering and CV joint, and then on Day (Linking Africa Ford Fiesta ST N3) were S2000 piloted by Johnny Gemmell and Two he struggled with a failing clutch. left to battle for Class honours. Hugo Drew Sturrock. The BP Volkswagen Polo Third in Class A6 once more drove her best to claim the Class win on S2000s of Enzo Kuun/Guy Hodgson were Craig Trott/Robbie Coetzee (Team Saturday afternoon. and Jan Habig/Ralph Pitchford claimed Total Toyota RunX A6). Finishing nearly The next round of the South second and third spots respectively. fi ve minutes off Poulter’s lead, Trott and African Rally Championship is the Osram The two-wheel drive classes, Coetzee are still very much in the Class Rally, which is held in and around Barkly Class A7, A6, A5 and N3, were well title chase. East on 21 August. EVENTS

LATVALA RECORDS WIN ON HOME SOIL FOR FORD WRC: RALLY FINLAND 29 - 31 July 2010

Story: Evan Rothman kahunas, driver need to strictly obey Pictures: Eva Kovkova and trust their pace notes and co-drivers need to have confi dence in their notes… For a Finnish rally driver to spray The 2010 edition of this the winners’ champagne at this rally, celebrating its 60th anniversary, event is not uncommon. For a non- produced one of the most enthralling Scandinavian, in fact, to win here is and captivating battles of the World rare. However, with the 2010 World Rally Championship’s season thus far. Rally Championship dominated by The condensed rally programme (with the Frenchman Sebastien Loeb and stages held over two days instead of his Citroen C4 WRC, this weekend’s the traditional three) further intensifi ed victory by Jari- this battle as crews Matti Latvala The 19 speed had to endure and his Ford 12-hour days of in Focus RS WRC the cockpit. The OVERALL CLASSIFICATION tests were ticked 01) J-M. Latvala/M. Anttila was as hard- 19 speed tests RS WRC - 02h 31m 29.6s fought and well were ticked off in 02) S. Ogier/J. Ingrassi off in quick Citroen C4 WRC + 10.1s deserved as it quick succession, 03) S. Loeb/D. Elena was unlikely. and the short Citroen C4 WRC + 26.0s Finland’s succession. breaks between 04) P. Solberg/C. Patterson Citroen C4 WRC + 30.7s ultra-fast and specialised rally roads are the thrilling stages added to the sense 05) D. Sordo/M. Marti hallowed as the spiritual home of this of drama that permeated the forests Citroen C4 WRC + 01m 45.0s sport we all love. The 310km of speed around Jyvaskyla. 06) M. Wilson/S. Martin Ford Focus RS WRC + 05m 43.7s tests that are comprised of blind crests BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally 07) M. Ostberg/J. Andersson that often result in 35m-long jumps, Team’s blue-eyed boy wonder Mikko WRC + 05m 50.8s beautifully cambered corners that Hirvonen and co-driver 08) J. Kankkunen/J. Repo Ford Focus RS WRC + 07m 49.0s tease drivers to attack with even more set the early pace ahead of teammates 09) J. Hanninen/M. Markkula aggression on the second pass, and the Jari-Matti Latvala and Miika Anttila Skoda Fabia S2000 + 09m 05.0s hundreds of thousands of spectators and a gaggle of Citroen C4 WRCs lead 10) P-G. Andersson/A. Fredriksson that line the rally stages. For this year, by privateer and hris Skoda Fabia S2000 + 10m 15.7s organisers compacted the rally into two Patterson. The ceremonial Super Special days and these two days were amongst Stage, as a foretaste of the coming Drivers’ Championship: 01) S. Loeb - 166 pts Finland’s hottest days in over 80 years. weekend’s events, sure did provide rally 02) S. Ogier - 118 pts With a little over 12 hours of seat time fans with enthralling action. 03) J-M. Latvala - 105 pts per day for the crews, concentration was The rally proper got under 04) P. Solberg - 90 pts 05) M. Hirvonen - 86 pts key to success (and survival) at this the way early Friday morning under clear 06) D. Sordo - 77 pts fastest rally on the WRC calendar. skies. With weather not expected to 07) M. Wilson - 48 pts It is also these same play a part in the weekend’s activities, 08) F. Villagra - 26 pts 09) H. Solberg - 25 pts characteristics for which this event it was precisely why this journalist paid 10) M. Ostberg - 16 pts is feared. Rally Finland demands the attention to the skies. Taking his SSS utmost respect: a few centimetres off momentum through to Day One proper Manufacturers’ Championship: the racing line and one’s rally almost of WRC Rally Finland, Hirvonen set 01) Citroen Total - 265 pts always ends in spectacular fashion. mighty impressive stage times through 02) BP Ford Abu Dhabi - 210 pts To reach the end of this event, apart the morning’s opening loop of stages. At 03) Citroen Junior - 155 pts 04) Stobart M-Sport Ford - 108 pts from the necessary extra-large set of the beginning of SS4, He had eked out 05) Munchi’s - 40 pts EVENTS

a lead of 4,9sec over Petter Solberg and Loeb and Elena’s stage time for SS10. pedal for an astonishing 46sec of Finnish the chasing pack. Remember, this is the They had set a new stage record for the madness, was won by another Finn and Finnish “Grand Prix” where drivers scrap event! this stage too will go down in the history over tenths of seconds… The rain clouds that were books. Latvala stormed to take the Entering his (former) favourite building on Day One did unleash a few scratch time by a staggering 7,3sec from corner in WRC, Hirvonen crashed buckets of rain onto the gravel roads, his hard charging rivals, bowling over spectacularly: he rolled his Ford Focus but didn’t transform the roads into the Citroen lads with his turn of speed. fi ve times after clipping a bank after a muddy passageways. The rain, in fact, Ogier, rally winner in Portugal, fl at-out right hand kink jump, ending his seemed to play into the hands of Latvala responded in the very next stage to rally. The car was heavily damaged and in the morning as it provided his car’s close the gap from 22,5sec to 16,1sec. the spectators at the scene were hushed tyres with extra traction as he was Car Latvala slowed his pace in this tricky in silence as they awaited the crew to Number One on road. stage, especially over that “Novikov emerge from the wreck of Ford metal With all eyes on the Iceman, Jump” now so named after the Russian and carbon fi bre. Fortunatley, Hirvonen Kimi Raikkonen, on his home event, the went maximum attack over a blind rise and Lehtinen were uninjured. Finnish motorsport superstar crashed in to see the front end of his Citroen C4 Not for a second did the battle SS12. Fortunately for him and birthday WRC in 2009 fl ip nearly vertically before at the front of the rally ease, for Petter boy co-driver (who also celebrated his landing on its wheels once more to Solberg grabbed the lead of the rally and day with Mikko Hirvonen’s 30th birthday) continue through the stage. went about trying to create a cushion Kaj Lindstrom, they were able to get Loeb also pushed hard, closing between himself and Petter Solberg, moving. They lost nine minutes in total to within 1,3sec of Solberg. Moving onto Sebastien Ogier et al. Latvala, now while they waited for spectators to help the podium for Loeb seemed inevitable. with not only the weight of Ford on his them back onto the road. It was in the next stage that shoulders but with Finland, went about The second stage of the day, Solberg lost his third place to Loeb, but setting two quick stages times to move SS13, saw Ogier moved ahead of Petter the Norwegian was not to be discarded into the lead on SS6. Solberg. Ogier only needed 15,2sec just yet… Through SS17, a nice battle , driving for the to close to the leader. Ogier, feeling for sixth place was developing between Citroen Junior Team this weekend, comfortable in his car setup, set a Mads Ostberg (Subaru Impreza WRC) showed great potential on the gravel succession of quick stage times to fi nd and (Stobart M-Sport surface as he chased after the lead, himself in a rather secure second overall Ford Focus RS WRC), but Wilson dropping Petter slipped to third place and with the feeling he could attack for managed to hang onto this position to as the heat of the battle stepped up. the lead. Olivier Quesnel, team boss of the fi nish line. Sebastien Ogier (driving in the Citroen Citroen Racing, instead wanted Ogier to Latvala showed his grit and Total World Rally Team) and teammate consolidate his position as they thought determination to win in the penultimate Sebastien Loeb were slowed somewhat Solberg would attack Latvala for the stage: he grabbed the stage victory to by their duties as road sweepers on Day lead. Meanwhile, Loeb was gaining more all but clinch the rally win. With Ogier a One, but were never more than 40sec off momentum and edging ever closer to little further than 12 seconds adrift, only the lead and could never be discounted third place, to lie 8,6sec adrift of Solberg a mechanical gremlin would bar the Finn for a win this early in a rally. at the end of SS13. from taking his second win of the 2010 , sixth-placed Raikkonen’s day got even worse season. in his Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally Team when he lost another 3min due to the Ogier set the quickest stage Focus RS WRC, also crashed heavily into damage his car sustained in SS12; his time through SS19, the rally’s last, but the woods too. Another Ford driver to car was running on two badly damaged was unable to reel in the 10,1sec to not fi nd Lady Luck in Finland’s forests tyres, and with only one spare on board Latvala. In only his seventh Rally Finland was Khalid Al-Qassimi, as he also rolled he was forced to fi nish SS13 with only start, Latvala took victory, Latvala is also out of the event on SS6. three infl ated tyres. the youngest ever to win this prestigious Never one to disregard the pace The legendary and iconic SS14, event! of the defending World Rally Champions, which saw Marcus Gronholm so famously it was with astonishment that I saw pin his right foot fl at to the accelerator EVANS WINS IROQ AND GUARAV GILL ARC TITLE ONCE MORE WINS APRC INT’L RALLY OF QUEENSLAND CATEGORY 29 Jul - 01 Aug 2010 APRC: INT’L RALLY OF QUEENSLAND

Story: Staff Writer they came home well in the fi nal stages 29 Jul - 01 Aug 2010 while others struggled. The unpredictable and merciless While they fi nished down in the rally gods smiled on the Evans standings, Steven Shepheard and John Motorsport Tankformers Subaru all McCarthy were just pleased to fi nish. Story: Staff Writer weekend at the International Rally A broken thrown out bearing in their of Queensland and the result was Sachs Mitsubishi meant the clutch was Indian driver Guarav Gill won the Asia supreme: Simon and Sue Evans won rendered inoperable. As a result the the Pacifi c Rally Championship (APRC) every stage, both heats, the event crew were forced to start their engine category of the International Rally of and the 2010 in gear and Queensland with a consistent driving Australian Rally stagger away display while rivals fell around him in the Championship Simon and Sue from every forests of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. title to boot. stage start Gill and New Zealand co-driver In an era Evans won every today- over Glen Macneall of the Indian-based MRF where superlatives stage, both heats. 200 kilometres Mitsubishi team won only one of the are easily overused, without a clutch event’s 18 special stages, on Friday Simon Evans has gone from champion pedal. night, but were rarely out of the top to a legend in Australian Rally, taking his Eligible for ARC points, but three during a test of 268km for round fourth title in emphatic fashion. actually competing in the Asia Pacifi c four of the 2010 FIA Asia Pacifi c Rally With main competitor Scott event, the Raymond Accountants entry Championship. Pedder in attendance, but on crutches, of Glen and Matt Raymond took an APRC Victorian brothers Glen and Simon hosed down every challenge from podium and second placed points in the Matt Raymond, running a Mitsubishi the rest of the fi eld, stretching his lead ARC. Lancer on a wildcard entry intended to at every stage and winning outright and Despite the impressive encourage up-and-coming competitors, beating the more fancied Asia Pacifi c performances from many in the ARC this scored second place and one of the best Rally Championship competitors as well. weeekend, for most in attendance it was results of their career, ahead of the other During the fi nal day a gear lever problem all about the Evans/Evans combination MRF crew of Katsuhiko Taguchi (Japan) meant he could only change gears by and their outstanding and consistently and Chris Murphy (Australia). The gripping the base of the gear lever and brilliant efforts all weekend. Today was Raymonds also won round two of the muscling it into gears as required. While the day they took the ARC title for 2010, Pacifi c Cup, which will conclude with doing this he continued to top the time but it was also the day that they partook round three in New Caledonia at the end sheets in both the ARC and APRC. in what long time rally pundits regard as of this month. Taguchi retained the lead And while all the plaudits the fi nest drive in the modern era. in the Asia Pacifi c Championship, with ought rightly go to the Evans/Evans The series will reconvene rounds still to run in Indonesia and New pairing, it was also a stand out day for in Victoria later in the year for the Caledonia, but Gill closed the gap today the newly patient and consistent Mark fi nal round of the Australian Rally to only two points. Pedder and Lee Tierney who, in their Championship. Blistering speed was not lacking third ever event together, took second either in the Malaysia factory- place. Driving a Race Torque prepared backed cars of Queenslander Chris Mitsubishi Evo IX, Pedder and Tierney Atkinson and Scotland’s Alister McRae. were a model of consistency for much of What could have been crushing victory the weekend. Today they were putting ended with disappointment. Atkinson in top fi ve stage performances for much won six of the fi nal day’s eight stages of the morning followed by a string of and fi ve on Day One, but was unable to second places in the absence of the fi gure in the fi nal offi cial classifi cation Yandina Automotive Corolla of Ryan and after having to retire on Day One when Rebecca Smart who went off during OVERALL CLASSIFICATION his motor stalled in a creek crossing. Stage 13 and were unable to re-join. ARC Championship: British Rally Champion 01) S. Evans/S. Evans McRae won a total of four stages but In third place were Eli Evans Subaru Impreza - 02h 47m 17.7s and Glen Weston in their distinctive 02) M. Pedder/L. Tierney retired with mechanical problems on factory backed Honda Civic Type R. Like Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX + 06m 21.0s the second stage today. Seven of the 03) E. Evans/G. Weston original 11 Asia Pacifi c entrants did not Mark Pedder before them, they decided Honda Civic Type R + 08m 27.2s to go with consistency over outright 04) M. Boaden/H. Cheers fi nish. Atkinson said: “We were very speed and found a rhythm that suited Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX + 12m 41.6s fast, (but) we were just a bit unlucky 05) M. Fawcett/S. Ellis this weekend which is a real shame. We them and paid off handsomely with a Subaru Impreza + 15m 59.9s podium fi nish and a win in the front 06) S. Shepheard/J. McCarthy had the potential to win the rally and it’s wheel drive class. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 16m 49.4s good to be back on these roads, they’re 07) B. Fullerton/H. Reardon-Smith good fun to drive on. It’s a shame If there was an award for Mr Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII + 18m 19.9s Consistent for the International Rally 08) M. Gillett/H. Smith we couldn’t do it here, we’re really of Queensland, then Michael Boaden Hyundai i30 CRDi + 40m 46.2s disappointed obviously and disappointed 09) J. Bruinsma/L. White for the whole team. It’s frustrating but would gladly accept it. Alongside sister Holden Commodore VE SS + 55m 46.8s Helen Cheers the Wauchope Retravision 10) J. Murray/R. Selby Wood that’s rallying, it’s a tough sport, you’ve Mitsubishi Evo IX was a highly placed Subaru Impreza + 55m 53.6s got to get to the end. I think a win’s just around the corner; (we need) a little fi nisher in most stages and fourth place APRC Championship: overall was a just reward. 01) G. Gill/G. MacNeal bit of luck to go our way and it’ll be all A tired but satisfi ed Mark Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X - 02h 49m 35.1s perfect.” 02) G. Raymond/M. Raymond Fawcett with co-driver Simon Ellis Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 01m 16.0s fi nished fi fth as they build on their ARC 03) K. Taguchi/C. Murphy experiences. Their Subaru WRC STI Spec Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 05m 04.8s 04) A. Masimura/O. Yoda C performed admirably all weekend and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII + 07m 23.7s EVENTS

FOUST CLAIMS GOLD IN SUPER RALLY DEBUT X GAMES 16: SUPER RALLY 30 July 2010

Story: Staff Writer beginning of the day, I had no idea Picture: Lars Gange/Shazamm/ESPN I would be winning a medal because practice was not going so well. I am X Games 16’s newest event Rally Car super pumped to go home with two Super Rally excited the drivers, judges silver medals.” and fans as the twelve competitors who Trailing in last place the entire had the chance to race head-to-head race, rookie Hubinette squeaked past in, out and around the Los Angeles Verdier at the last second to take home Memorial Coliseum for the fi rst time. the bronze medal. Rally Car “What a Racing medalists, fi nish,” said Tanner Foust and The track was Hubinette. “It Brian Deegan, was insanely again rode away perfect and had fun. I was the with gold and silver, so much grip. underdog, this time in the and no one Super Rally Final. This brings Foust’s X expected this from me.” Games medals to fi ve and Deegan now When the four drivers fi nished, has 12. they played to the cheering crowd, “The track was perfect and had taking jumps and turning doughnuts. so much grip,” Foust said. “Door-to- Information on all X Games events can door, I like racing the four cars, but even be found on www.xgames.com for fans. when you say you don’t have a favorite kid, you always do. And Super Rally is About ESPN’s X Games franchise: defi nitely my favorite.” ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Competition quickly whittled Sports, fi rst developed its X Games down to the fi nal four: Foust, Deegan, franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Samuel Hubinette and Stephan Verdier. Entertainment, X Games, Winter X As the four cars lined up at the top of Games and All Access are just some of the Coliseum, anticipation was high for the original action sports programming a thrilling race. While Foust edged out currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In Deegan in the fi rst turn, an early jump addition to the two U.S.-based events, by Deegan put him in third. Even with a ESPN has held X Games competitions lost bumper, Verdier was hot on Foust’s and demonstration events around the heels as the two drivers vied for number world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, one position. Verdier looked to take Mexico, Korea, Malaysia, China and silver but during the last lap, Deegan Spain. The global franchise has also made fast work of the track and found expanded its reach to EXPN.com, the himself back in second position. defi nitive site for action sports fans, and “I knew Foust had me at to consumer products such as X Games the start, then I made some rookie bikes, protective gear, skateboards and mistakes,” said Deegan. “At the DVDs. GASS BEATS MCKINSTRY TO LURGAN PARK WIN LURGAN PARK RALLY 2010 31 July 2010

Story: Staff Writer car over the grass, back on track. In Pictures: Jordan Murphy the process he went to the wrong side of a bale, which could have incurred a Last Saturday’s Orchard Motorsport penalty, but the offi cials deemed it a Lurgan Park Rally was won by racing incident which gained him no real Armagh’s Darren Gass, with 11- advantage. times winner Kenny McKinstry Interestingly, Darren was left second and Glengormley’s Derek without a co-driver the night before McGarrity 3rd, all three driving the rally and at midnight enlisted his Subaru Impreza cousin Nathan, World Rally Cars. who had no For 22 There were many real rally year old Gass, experience. a former British shapes and sizes Current Junior Rally of cars in the Park. Tarmac Champion and Champion Pirelli Star Driver, this was his fi rst win Eugene Donnelly made his fi rst rally in Lurgan Park. The rally has had many outing of the year and fi nished a illustrious names on the winner’s trophy creditable fourth, driving his old Corolla since the event’s inception in 1980 and WRC. Donnelly was also promoting the Darren Gass is the youngest winner. Children’s Hearbeat Trust associated with Multiple Circuit of Ireland the Clark Clinic and children with serious winner Derek McGarrity led through the heart conditions. morning stages, but stalled his Subaru Fermanagh’s Garry Jennings at a tight corner on the fi rst afternoon had a quiet enough run by his standards stage. Although he only lost a couple of and brought his Subaru to the fi nish OFFICIAL CLASSIFICATION seconds, Glengormley man McGarrity unscathed in fi fth. Wesley Patterson from 01) D. Gass/N. Gass slipped to third. That’s how tight it was Lisburn had a giant killing run in his Ford Subaru Impreza WRC - 15m 27.0s 02) K. McKinstry/E. McKinstry at the top. Escort Mk2 to fi nish 6th o/a and win his Subaru Impreza WRC + 1.3s The battle for the lead then was class. 03) D. McGarrity/J. McKee between seasoned campaigner McKinstry There were many shapes and Subaru Impreza WRC + 3.1s 04) E. Donnelly/D. Mullen and newcomer Gass. Kenny drove sizes of cars in the Park for the rally Toyota Corrola WRC + 7.3s brilliantly through the afternoon’s tests, and in particular some classic GpB rally 05) G. Jennings/D. McPartland in his own words ‘ticking all the boxes’, machinery. It all added up to a great Subaru Impreza WRC + 13.7s 06) W. Patterson/M. McGarrity but Gass had the edge. Although denied day’s entertainment for the huge crowd Ford Escort + 53.7s his 12th win, ‘King of the Park’ Kenny of spectators who turned up. Despite 07) B. O’Mahony/J. Higgins had one consolation in that Gass was some heavy rain before the rally the Metro 6R4 + 59.4s 08) M. Massey/P. McKenna driving one of Kenny’s ‘Hire Subarus’. Park stayed as pristine as ever, a real Subaru Impreza N + 01m 03.5s Gass did have one lucky escape credit to Craigavon Borough Council. 09) G. White/A. Purdy in SS5 when his Subaru slid very wide, Subaru Impreza N + 01m 07.1s 10) K. Graffi n/V. Fergus off the course, and he had to hurl the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo N + 01m 14.8s all new advertising space is now 50% off this month and september!

book your space with evan: [email protected] +2783 452 6892