The Malcolm Wilson Rally was the first round of the MAXXIS MSA English Rally Championship and there were 50 registered crews on the entry list. In the hotly contested E5 Class Gavin Edwards / Caron Tomlinson (Escort Mk2) took an early lead and it was not until the challenging Grizedale stages that Boyd Kershaw / Bryan Hull managed to gain the upper hand, finally winning the class by 17 seconds. It was even closer in Class E2 where Jordan and Paul Hone (Proton Satria) won by just 3 seconds from Matthew Jackson / Claire Williams (Micra). James Hutchins / James Hood (Vauxhall Nova) took maximum points in Class E3, also by 3 seconds, from Tim and Kit Leigh (Fiesta R200), whilst Dominic Hodge / Stefan Arndt (Micra) were first in Class E1 for standard cars up to 1400cc. However, the closest battle came in Class E4 where there were seven identical Fiesta STs in competition and this was eventually won by Cameron Davies / Lee Taylor.
Every year after the first round of the English Rally Championship there is always a tie for first place in the point’s table. It is only as the season progresses that those who can repeat their early successes force their way to the front. So, after the initial skirmish on the Malcolm Wilson Rally, we find Boyd Kershaw, Cameron Davies, James Hutchings and Jordan Hone sharing the limelight while, similarly, Dominic Hodge, Matthew Jackson, Gavin Edwards and George Lepley are just 2 points behind in equal 5th. In the Junior Drivers section, it is Cameron Davies who takes the initial lead ahead of Freddy Brick, George Lepley and Jordan Hone. A full list of all the MAXXIS MSA English Rally Championship points can be found in the Competitors section. MAXXIS MSA English Rally Championship Points
The second round of the MAXXIS MSA English Rally Championship is the Somerset Stages on Saturday 16th April which is based in Minehead with the Start and Finish of the event as well as the Service Area along the Promenade. There will be the customary two stages up the Porlock Toll Road followed by forest roads in the Brendon Hills. The event has already received some 130 entries but there is still time to submit an entry and sample the delights of springtime in Somerset.
Boyd Kershaw and Bryan Hull in action on the Malcolm Wilson Rally (Image courtesy of ralliphotoswales)