Based in the town of Filey, the Rally Yorkshire 2023, represented a unique opportunity for the whole rallying community to participate in a variety of events using all of the classic Yorkshire stages providing an extended rally of approximately 57 miles of which 45 miles was unusually single use forest road.
This year competitors in the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire commenced their competition, as is now traditional, in Dalby Forest in the darkness of Friday evening following a ceremonial start on the Beach.
TRACKROD HISTORIC CUP
Photography courtesy of Black Mountains Media
Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke – 1st Overall
The familiar pairing headed to Filey for some much-needed seat time on the gravel after a few tarmac events, this time out in the old girl, WEJ, the most successful MKII in British Historic Championship history.
Some showers and reverse seeding meant that conditions in the 11 mile Friday night stage Dalby were far from ideal, however they made it out in fifth place overall & fourth behind those crews who could score points.
Saturday began with Stages in Gale Rigg and Cropton, a total of 14 miles. Two fourth fastest times saw the crew emerge in third place just 2.5 seconds off the lead. The fastest time in Staindale by 2.1 seconds saw them take the lead for the first time, but only by 1 second from Seb Perez in the Porsche with local Matthew Robinson 3.6 seconds back in third.
Back to Filey for nothing more than a spanner check then it was out for two long stages, a repeat of Dalby and the longest stage of the event, a 13 miler in Langdale to finish the rally. A quick time in Dalby, despite a stall, saw the lead increase to 8.3 seconds over Robinson who flew through Langdale to take 3 seconds back, however the win went to Pritchard/Clarke, their second BHRC victory in 2023.
Photography courtesy of Black Mountains Media
Photography courtesy of Black Mountains Media
Gareth James/Dan Petrie – 6th Overall, 2nd in Class, 1st in Category 3
A short notice call up for Dan saw him sitting with Gareth James for the first time in his immaculate BDG Ford Escort Mk 2, who was undertaking only his fourth rally on gravel. The first couple of stages saw them adjust to each other and both reported an awesome event especially Dalby in the dark, while mixing stage times with the usual culprits and setting a third fastest time on SS5. A spin and a slide into a bank were the only issues to report with the car running faultlessly all event.
Photography courtesy of Black Mountains Media
Robert Gough/Paul Morris - DNF
Unfortunately the run of bad luck continues with Robert and Paul failing to start the Saturday stages due to engine issues.
TRACKROD FOREST STAGES
Photography courtesy of Black Mountains Media
John Bannister/Emma Clarke – 10th Overall, 3rd in Class
Another new pairing and Emma’s first 4WD experience in John’s Subaru Impreza made for an exciting event. The first two stages were reported as rough and greasy in places making it a little difficult, but they had a clean run through Staindale and into service with thankfully little to do on the car.
Stage 5 saw the crew tackle the infamous Dalby and what a stage it was. They finished the day with a clean committed run through SS6 Langdale, Emma’s favourite stage of the day, to cement a well earned top ten finish and more miles on the experience clock.
Photography courtesy of Black Mountains Media
Photography courtesy of Black Mountains Media
Photography courtesy of Black Mountains Media
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