Rallye 177 Member Clubs of NESCRO

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Croft Historic Rally 2012

The regs for the 2012 event will be found on the Croft Historic Rally WebsiteClick Here to be redirected.

Rallye 177

Results available from www.rallies.info/res.php?e=92

Forty crews in vaired pre 1989 machinery from a 1953 series Land Rover to a rag topped Mini Moke and a brace of fabulous V8 Sunbeam Tigers tackled the first running of the "Rallye 177" on Sunday. The event grew from the previously well received Croft Historic rally and perhaps as a sign of the continuity the same crew that won the last CHR in 2009 won the first Rallye 177. Archie and Richard Simmonds took overall victory in their MG Midget from late entering Ford Escort crew Andrew Smith and Ali Procter who took the first tests award. Rounding out the major awards Cumbrian crew Charles Graves and Ron Palmer won the regularity section of the event in their Jaguar XK150.

Another notable awards winner was under 17 naviagor David Byrne, who collected the 1st Junior award for guiding his father Stephen and their Lancia Fulvia around the 100 mile course.

Starting straight into a test at Tall Trees hotel near Yarm the competitors were sent out on a 20 mile regularity section which took them to tests 2 & 3 at Teesside autodrome. The Circuit was split in to two halves and the crews had to go flat out against the clock on the greasy tarmac circuit. From the autodrome the rally headed towards East Cleveland and a short but tight test around Margrove caravan park and a further test at Tees components at Lingdale, here the surface was much more loose but with a few large puddles and potholes to catch out the unwary.

Leaving Lingdale for Brotton a test on the Chris Birkbeck Rally school track either side of the lunch halt tested the drivers mettle as here the surface was treacherously slick and muddy. The wind and rain pounded across the exposed test venue from the North Sea. The event marshals braved poor conditions all day , these unpaid unsung heroes of motorsport keep events all sizes running day and night. The organisers would like to pass on their heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the rally possible.

A tricky navigational section out of Brotton through Skinningrove and across the clifftops towards Boulby and then Staithes caught several crews out including Tom and Sue Hynd who made the trip from northern Scotland. Here a missed control cost the Fiat 127 crew dearly dropping the front running pair in to the twenties.

Two reverse trips around the Autodrome and a final test at Tall Trees rounded off the rally. As a first time joint venture by Stockton and District Motor Club and Durham Automobile Club everything went well and the intention is to retain a similar date in the historic rallying calendar for 2012. A successful start to a local pairing. (See attached file:) Project185.png

Thanks to Ian Hardy for the use of the photos

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