Local crews dominated the top of the leaderboard on Sunday’s (26 August) Cumbria-based WA Developments Pendragon Stages Rally, which was won by Crosby on Eden driver William Stobart and Kirkby Stephen co-driver Andy Richardson.
Stobart, sponsor of the event, and Richardson were seeded at number one in their Eddie Stobart-backed Ford Focus WRC and they proved they were worthy of their starting position as they finished 19 seconds ahead of another local crew, Dougi Hall and Mark Carruthers in their Mitsubishi Evo.
Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club crew Ian Joel and Graeme Wood came home third in their Ford Escort Cosworth followed by John Marshall and Paul Hughes in their Subaru Impreza.
A capacity entry of 115 cars started the 65-mile tarmac event, which used stages on the Warcop Army ranges and Lowther Park, including around 35 Cumbria-based crews. Five-time British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae led the field as he drove his Eddie Stobart-supported Mk2 Ford Escort as course car.
The ramp in Penrith town centre proved popular as around 300 people turned out on both visits as the crews chatted with the commentator en route from first service in the early afternoon before visiting the ramp again at the finish in the early evening where the spraying of the champagne took place. Spectators also filled Lowther Park to watch the entertaining action live in the sunshine.
Clerk of the course Tim Foster said: “It’s been a fantastic event. The competitors seem to have all enjoyed it and so have the public that have come along to watch in Lowther Park and see the cars in Penrith town centre. The ramp in the town proved really popular and hopefully that’s something we can build-on in the future.
“It’s a credit to the organisers, who have made the event such a success and made it run smoothly. I’d like to express my thanks to everyone who has helped out before and on the rally.”
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