Andy Mort Tour – Dave Barritt’s Photos from the Event
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Leading Cars’ Times after SS2 (of 19)
1 Neil MacKinnon/Mike Stayte (Subaru Impreza WRC) 19 Minutes 52 Seconds
2 John Cope/Tony Cope (Subaru Impreza WRC) 20m 18s
3 Calum Duffy/Iain Duffy (Ford Escort Mk2) 20m 21s
4 Dougi Hall/Allan MacDougall (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) 20m 33s
5 John Price/Caroline Price (MG Metro 6R4) 21m 11s
6 James MacGillivray/Ian Fraser (Ford Escort Mk2) 21m 15s
7 Denis Biggerstaff/Graham Thomson (Subaru Impreza WRC) 21m 20s
8 Tony Bardy/Reg Smith (Hyundai Accent WRC) 22m 26s
(Please Note: These are not ‘Results’ it’s just the leading cars’ times after the first two stages, other cars running later may set faster times, but at least this gives you something to go on!)
The 37th carmelicious Tunnock’s Tour of Mull Rally got underway in Tobermory tonight with the usual noise and colour bringing life to the deepening dusk, and it wasn’t long before the tales started emanating from the darkening Mull roads.
Calum Duffy was first car into the Control at Salen: “Steady away, did the same time as the white car last year on Mishnish so that’s a good start,” said Calum … James MacGillivray hasn’t got too much confidence in the car at the moment: “It’s a bit skippy at the back” … NeilMacKinnon admitted that “he missed a few gears” … John Cope was smiling: “Game on, I was only 6 seconds down on the first one and I think I was on the pace in the second” … Dougi Hall is avoiding the rocks – and the ditches! … Tony Bardy stalled 3 times on the start line of SS1, first time out in the Hyundai, but got clean away on SS2 and admitted: “I haven’t got the b*lls to hold it flat out when I get it in 6th!” … Denis Biggerstaff said: “I’m here but not very fast” … Eddie O’Donnell is having a torrid time already with a misfire on the first half of each stage and then it clears for the second … John Swinscoe said “I’m here, I’m over the moon – but not very graceful.”
Looks like the first casualty of the night is Steven Clark (32) who is reported stopped in the middle of the first stage, but the ‘OK’ board is out … Daniel Harper reported off at the end of SS2 but back on minus a wheel!
Proving that sportsmanship is not dead, when Mark Durham (22) was on his way in to Tobermory from Dervaig this morning for Scrutineering, he broke his Lancer’s diff. With no spare he was out of tbhe rally, till Giles Phillips (82) lent Mark his spare, so he now has no spare either. Nice one Giles!
And finally, at the end of Day 1 in Turkey, Marcus Gronholm leads the world series counter with Colin McRae in seventh place.
And finally, finally, yet another reminder, if you are going out spectating tonight please make sure you know what the Road Closure times are (in the programme) and get there early. Park sensibly, well clear of the road, and bring your litter back for proper disposal. And if you hear a siren and see flashing lights just ahead of the rally to-night that could be Bulletin Bill with the MullMurmurs, so look out and be ready!
Yer auld pal, Jaggy Bunnet, Salen Hotel, 9.30 pm, Friday
MullMurmurs – Chapter 6
( Provisional ) Leaderboard after 6 (of 17 Stages)
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.
Two thirds and a 13th overall was the reward for Ioan Lloyd after a superb drive on the Rali Ceredigion. The young […]
This is a link to an Article published on Rallynotes about the 2008 Tunnock's Tour of Mull. CLICK HERE to View
3 thoughts on “Andy Mort Tour – Dave Barritt’s Photos from the Event”
Good pic’s Dave.
An excellent record of a great day. Thanks.
Thanks Dave,lovely clear photo`s of a great day out,