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Weaver and Thornton target hat-trick of wins on Woodpecker Stages Rally

Posted on Wednesday, 29 August 2007 02:57PM by

Reigning BTRDA (British Trial and Rally Drivers’ Association) 1400 Champions Neil Weaver and Nick Thornton are yet again targeting a hat-trick of wins when they contest Saturday’s (1 September) Woodpecker Stages Rally.

Newtown driver Weaver and Holmfirth co-driver Thornton have won the 1400 section of the Woodpecker for the past two years and will bid to make it three when they return to the wheel of their ACCREDIS UK and Hankook Tyres-sponsored class B9 1400cc Proton Satria on the Ludlow-based 45-mile forest gravel event this weekend.

The pair will lead the field as they are seeded first in the 1400s and will start at number 201 in their Harry Hockly Motorsport-run car.

They have enjoyed success across the Woodpecker’s stages, based in and around Haye Park and Radnor Forest, in previous years with Ludlow-born Weaver performing well across his home territory. In 2005, on their way to 1400 victory, the crew finished an impressive 16^th overall and as the first two wheel drive car, whilst last year they topped that as they came home 13^th overall but second two wheel drive car by a small margin of just 11 seconds.

The crew have also had podium success in all four rallies they have contested this season as they came second in the 1400s on the North Humberside Forest Rally in March, won the Somerset Stages in April, finished second on the Dukeries Rally in June and won the section on their last outing on the Quinton Stages Rally in July.

There are, however, no championship points at stake for the pair as they are not defending their title or contesting a series this year but it will not hold Weaver and Thornton back from chasing the treble on Saturday.

“We’re going out there to push for our third win in a row in the 1400s on the Woodpecker, that is our target,” Weaver said. “As always there will be some stiff competition as there’s a strong entry, but we will be trying hard for the victory.

“It’s going to be great to be back on my home patch, they are stages that I really enjoy and we’re having a good year so far so hopefully that can continue.

“I’d like to thank all our sponsors again: Telford-based ACCREDIS UK, Hankook Tyres and Harry Hockly Motorsport for making it possible for us to be out there taking part and we hope it will be another successful event for everyone involved.”