The Go Fuels sponsored Tour of the Sperrins was the fourth round of this years Challenge and the cool conditions that greeted competitors presented perfect rally weather – there was even a little sunshine at the finish to welcome the drivers back at the end of a hard day’s rallying. The rally benefited from an excellent service park on the edge of Magherafelt and three cracking stages ran twice by the well organised Magherafelt and District Motor Club.
A popular event last year it was of some surprise to find that there were only three registered Micras in attendance. Of the eight cars that competed on the Mayday Stages two weeks earlier only Raymond McLaughlin/Martin Mc Brearty managed to make the startline of the Tour of the Sperrins. This is perhaps some reflection of Challenge organisers extending the number of counting rounds to 7 (with 5 scores to count) from the 6 that were eligible in 2023. This has perhaps stretched the field too much although once again there were a number of additional competitors keen to make the start-line but simply had other commitments which prevented their appearance. Perhaps something to look at for next year.
Thankfully Stanley Orr/ Graham Henderson did enter and were in confident form having taken the class win on the non-Challenge Eakin Bros Brian James Trailers Stages at the end of April. They were joined by Mark McElwee and John Henderson who were competing in Marks son Marcus’s car (who was in Australia). It had been some time since Mark had competed on a closed road event and he was facing the stages with some trepidation.
When the event got underway late morning the Micra competitors were unfortunately re-directed as Stage 1 had to be cancelled for latter runners due to a non-rally medical event in the locality which required the presence of an ambulance. When they did get underway competitively Stanley Orr/ Graham Henderson quickly stamped their authority on the event to take the lead which would be held to the finish. Such was there pace the duo were the lead front wheel drive crew over the initial stages. A finish on this event was not without its dramas however as a leaking power steering pipe led to power steering failure for stages 5 and 6. It took all of Stanley’s strength and stamina to muscle the car to the finish back in Magherafelt. Raymond McLaughlin/ Martin McBrearty’s rally was shortlived with driveshaft failure in the middle of Stage 3 putting them out of the event. Mark McElwee/ John Henderson survived their initial nerves and settled into their Micra as the day progressed, thoroughly enjoying their Challenge debut – despite returning to service post-event to find their service van had a puncture! We hope to see them back on the stages later in the year.
The laurels on this event however went to Stanley Orr/ Graham Henderson who took their first and well deserved maximum score which resulted in the crew moving to the top of driver and co-driver standings respectively. This is turning out to be a topsy-turvy year in the Challenge and it is all to play for with three rounds remaining. We are now looking forward to the next round on July 20th – the Tyrone Stages where a number of other front-runners are expected to make a return.
Words: ANDREW BUSHE / MICRA CHALLENGE | Photos: NORTH X NORTH WEST PHOTOGRAPHY [Images must not be used in any way without prior written consent of the photographer]
