2008 – Murmur Chapter 6

1 P MacKinnon/D Barritt (Subaru Impreza) 49m 48s
2 C Duffy/I Duffy (Ford Escort MkII) 50m 09s
3 D Harper/C Campbell (BMW MINI) 52m 36s
4 J MacGillivray/I Frazer (Ford Escort MkII) 52m 58s
5 K Hall/R Millener (Ford Fiesta) 53m 01s
6 J Cope/R Fagg (Subaru Impreza) 53m 04s
7 W Bonniwell/K Rae (Subaru Impreza) 53m 14s
8 T Pye/K Riddick (Subaru Impreza) 54m 00s
9 D Miller/A Bailey (Subaru Impreza) 54m 30s
10 P Kirtley/D jones (Subaru Impreza) 54m 32s
11 E O’Donnell/S Proud (Ford Escort MkII) 54m 38s
12 T Sherrington/S Bould (Mitsubishi Lancer) 54m 56s

The young guns are taking charge. At the end of the first Leg of the 39th Tunnock’s Tour of Mull Rally, the boys are taking over the old school. Star pupil is 21 year old Paul MacKinnon out there in front, but only 15 seconds clear of Callum Duffy. The other star in the making is Kris Hall lying fifth in a Fiesta. When co-driver Richard Millener was asked what it was like sitting beside the 19 year old, he said: “I’m just hanging on!”

As for their Dads, they are both out. Neil MacKinnon saw engine oil temperatures soaring and each time he pulled over to let it cool, it started boiling again when underway. No choice. Stop. As for Dougi Hall. His Lancer is parked in a ditch. We don’t know why, either puncture or shiny tar. And that’s the big story on this weeknd’s Tunnock’s Tour, grip, or lack of it. It was wet in the run up to the event and although there was little rain overnight, what there was left the roads in treacherous conditions. This is a place fit only for the brave and the foolhardy.

Paul hasn’t been without his problems though. Overnight the power steering pump was being replaced while Calum went back to base to check out a misfire. Daniel Harper is mighty pleased with third in the MINI but there is still some fine tuning to be done although team mate John Cressey is out with a broken gearbox. Young Kris Hall is an amazing fifth ahead of a disconsolate John Cope. After 6 stages he still doesn’t know whether it’s him or the car that is off the pace. Willie Bonniwell is as happy as a schoolkid in a sweet shop and Tristan Pyre would probably go quicker if he would stop wildlife watching (see previous Murmurs). Dave Miller is content to be in the top ten while Paul Kirtley is jus working his confidence back up after a massive slide on Gribun where there was no room for a small slide, let alone a massive one!

John MacCrone is leading the 1600 class in his Peugeot from Iain ‘Ogg’ MacKenzie in the 106 and Irishman Jim McKenna in the Toyota. Matthew Tarbutt tops the 1400 class in his Nova from Mark Constantine in the Corsa and Donald Brown in the Suzuki engined Nova. As for the girls, it looks as though Donna Ingram is leading from Nicola Harper, but as for Louise Thomas, she seems to have disappeared in the dark!

And now for daylight. Whereas carrots are supposed to be good for night vision, here’s my tip for daylight – a Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer. Well, it keeps me going. As for the boys, they’d better watch out. The old men will be able to see better in daylight!

Yer Auld Pal, Jaggy Bunnet – Saturday, 10.30 am, Tobermory.