Coracle Stages 29/07/2007
A battle royal is set to continue in the South West Loose Championship as currently three drivers are battling for top honours. Simon Andrew (Micra) had been heading the Championship after Red Dragon but did not enter Swansea Bay so the lead transferred to Stephen Richards (Escort) with Michael O’Brien attaining second and Simon relegated to third. Richard Fishleigh is close behind in fourth and closing.
Coracle Stages - Sweet Lamb saw both Simon Andrew/Kathy Barton and Stephen Richards on the entries list in addition to Martyn & Ian England (Evo) and Richard Baker/David Porter (Celica G4) All registering for the RallyingUK.com sponsored Championship it was going to be an interesting day. An excellent venue with weather like summer (it was July so we had hoped!!) Thankfully the severe weather warning that was forcast came to nothing!! The seven stages were mostly dry and dusty apart from the obvious water splashes to keep things interesting. Martyn England’s day was almost a non-starter as the team had to make use of a workshop the night before to change the transfer box. On the day itself he was plagued with yet more transmission woes and lost 5th gear early on which hampered his progress. Even so he was pushing hard and scored excellent times all day long being pipped to an overall victory by the Ford Focus of John Ingram/Ian Allsop. England gained first in class and second overall. After two previous DNF’s in the Championship he was very pleased to have brought the Evo home. Richards seeded at 19 was having a great class battle through the day until Stage 5 resulted in the car being seen parked up in stage. Simon Andrew seeded at 52 started the day with care, first timer to Sweet Lamb and only in his first loose season he made good progress through the field in his Yokohama shod A5 Micra, backing off a little on the final 12 mile stage 7 to secure 38th overall and 5th in class. No dramas were reported although the front number plate did try to fall off!! Baker/Porter on only their second Championship outing this year attained 33rd overall.
The ASWMC drivers points table now reading Simon Andrew leading with Stephen Richards second and Michael O’Brien third. Next round – Woodpecker Stages 1/9/07
Kathy Barton (Simon’s Co-Driver) leads the ASWMC Co-Driver Championship, 44 points clear of Andy Ballantyne with Rupert Barker third. | 
