Photos: BluePassionPhotos  – Words : Kev Haworth

It was John Abel who was spraying the celebratory fizz at the end of this year’s RAC Rally of the Tests – over Howard Warren and third placed Paul Wignall/Mark Appleton – who had won the event in 2013 when it last finished in Harrogate.

Martyn Taylor was beaming from ear to ear after it had seemed that the event could have been lost on the very final regularity section of the event. This was a classic RAC Rally of The Tests, one that challenged crews and forced errors from those who lost concentration, the consensus being that the balance of the event was just right and heralded a return to the more competitive events of years past.

The first full day of the RAC Rally of The Tests lived up to its name with five tests situated in the picturesque Cheshire countryside to start the day.  Ron Kendall/Nick Cooper and Guy Symons/David Watson were two of the more experienced crews to be penalised on the first test of the day.

Next up were two tests in the grounds of Bolesworth Castle, home to the Barbour Family since 1856, the area around here is ancient with close by Tattenhall being mentioned in the Domesday Book, the two tests there being thoroughly enjoyed by the whole field.

Through the Cheshire Plains via Beeston and Easton brought the event to Oulton Park, two tests on the infamously slippery rally circuit. Paul Bloxidge/John Youd were flying here, as were Crosby/Pullan who were now making a charge up through the ranks. Other crews that were really spectacular were Clive & Anji Martin, Jon Dunning/Henry Carr and the little Mini of Ted Gaffney/Brian Goff.

The first regularity section took place in Cheshire Show Ground, last used in 2013, the section uses the numerous tracks and roads that bisect the fields that host the Show Ground. A frenetic 48 instructions in just 3.01 miles really puts the pressure on the navigator with some of the tracks being used mored than once this was a dizzying experience and one that suited the rapid Bloxidge/Youd.

Day two of the RAC Rally of The Tests dawned with a distinct chill in the air, this would be another long day in the saddle with 280 miles to be covered, the second day would see us take in some new territory for the event as we entered into the North part of the Lake District.

A ten mile or thereabouts run-out brought the event to Raby Castle for two tests sited there. These were open and flowing tests that really were designed for the cars with more power, putting a spanner in the works of this theory were Steve Entwistle/Ali Procter in their diminutive Mini who were flying on these tests. It was to be a nightmare for leaders Paul Crosby/Andy Pullan when a steering component developed a fault, they were fortunate that the HERO Assist crews were close by and effected a repair allowing them to get on their way again without penalty.

By the end of day 2 as crews rolled into Redworth Hall, Steve Entwistle/Ali Procter led on the least penalties accrued, just 14 seconds in front of Paul Crosby/Ali Procter. However, John Abel/Martyn Taylor are the overall leaders due to the other vehicles being ineligible for awards, they hold a handsome lead over past winners, Howard Warren/Iain Tullie.

The final day of the RAC rally of The Tests dawned with another crisp and clear morning to greet crews as they departed for the final action of the event. Overnight, the lowest penalties lead had gone to the charging Mini Cooper ’S’ of Steve Entwistle and Ali Procter, the pair edging in front of Paul Crosby/Andy Pullan by just 14 seconds. Behind them were Neil Wilson/Matthew Vokes in a Porsche 924 who were a further 35 seconds behind, this may sound a sizeable margin but as with all recent Rally of The Tests events, it isn’t over until the final check sheets are tallied up.

The big news though was John Abel/Martyn Taylor had extended their lead in the eligible for overall awards class to over a minute and a half from nearest rivals, previous Rally of The Tests winners, Howard warren and Iain Tullie in their Porsche 356. The final day, although testing with some seriously tricky terrain to cover, would be a little shorter than the previous two days where crews had covered 560 miles over those days, still, 170 miles would be enough to shake the field up once again as the organising team had some great venues for the crews to explore.

With crews setting off at 08:00 once again there was little traffic on this bright and crisp Sunday morning as the RAC rally of The Tests headed south past Darlington and to a brace of tests near Downholme Moor, Crosby/Pullan heaped the pressure on Entwistle/Procter here, so much so that they were caught by a line fault, costing them  an extra 10 seconds in penalties. The morning was to prove pivotal though as Entwistle/Procter lost over a minute on the first two timing points of a regularity in Catterick and handed the lowest points lead back to the Porsche pair. It wouldn’t all be Crosby and Pullan’s way though as a mistake on the third regularity cost them 29 seconds meaning the final sections of the day would now be crucial, particularly the regularity in Bramham Park.

A rising star could be seen in car 69, the immaculate Ford Escort Mexico of Holland’s Harm Lamberigts and Arjan Van der Palen, Arjan struggled initially in the event but grew into it with every leg. A solid performance from the pair saw them top of the continental crews at the end of the event. The second timing point on Bramham Park was situated close to The Temple and it caught out Howard Warren/Iain Tullie to the tune of 28 seconds. It looked like game over but an error from Abel/Taylor on the third timing point on Obelisk Avenue would briefly swing the event back into the hands of Warren/Tullie. It was the briefest of swings though as the normally unflappable Warren/Tullie were forced into a second error on the same timing point and killed any chances of taking the overall win there and then.

Full story, and results can be found here

The 2018 RAC Rally of The Tests will run from Harrogate to Bristol, entries will open very shortly.