Preview of the Grizedale Stages Rally (7th December)
The Reis Motorsport Insurance Motorsport UK English Rally Championship reaches its conclusion on 7th December with the running of the Coppermines Lakes Cottages Grizedale Stages Rally. Hoping the heavy snow experienced last year will stay away, the organisers have, once again, come up with a very compact route which takes in six stages, totalling 43 miles, linked by just 29 road miles!

Current ERC leader Elliot Payne has put his Fiesta Rally2 up for sale and, in order to ensure the car remains in pristine condition, won’t be taking the start. So, his position at the top of the table will be under threat on two fronts, both of which have already claimed Championships and categories in the Protyre BTRDA Rally Series this year.

The featured image is Nigel & Kaz Jenkins – Vauxhall Nova – on the recent Wyedean Rally

Fuchs Lubricants BTRDA Bronze Star Championship winners for the second year in a row, Nigel & Kaz Jenkins (Nova) are currently 3rd in the English Championship points table. A troubled run on the Woodpecker Stages in September brought forth a correspondingly low score such that an improvement of five points (a maximum score in the Lakes would net six) would see them overhaul Payne for the title.

<<<   Lewis Hooper/Rhys Edwards – Ford Fiesta R2

Then there are Lewis Hooper & Rhys Edwards who have already laid claim to the BTRDA Rallye R2 Cup in their Fiesta. HavIng retired from the opening round of the English Championship, the Malcolm Wilson Rally, and then missed the Wyedean Stages, they are in the Top Ten overall with only four scores. Hence, unlike their rivals, they can count whatever they earn in Grizedale – their tally already includes two 2nd places and a third could well see them emerge as English Champions.

Joining the Jenkins in the quest for Class E2 points will be the 2nd & 3rd drivers, Ashley Francis-Adams and Dylan Fowler-Bishop, who have combined forces for the last event of the season in the former’s Micra (right).  >>>

The class has already been won but it’ll be interesting to see how they fare on this occasion.

<<<  Liam Clark has had a successful first full season in a Fiesta Rally2 and, although not in line for a podium finish in the English Championship and with all the usual caveats, could considerably improve on his current 7th place in the table.

Class E3 (up to 1600cc) is led by Michael Jenkins / Jordan Joines (Fiesta) with Hooper/ Edwards uncomfortably close in 2nd. This will be a fight to the finish with, as previously mentioned, the latter crew having a score in hand…

Michael Jenkins/Jordan Joines (Fiesta) – Class E3  >>> Leaders

Only contesting a limited number of English Rally Championship events this year, Will Graham will also be present at the wheel of the Escort RS1600 that took his dad, Ernie, to the 2023 ERC title. Ernie, himself, has also had a quiet season but takes the start of the Grizedale Stages in his Lancer EVOX.

SPECTATORS: The first car leaves the start at Skelwith Fold at 9.30am on Saturday 7th December and full details will be available via the website :
https://www.grizedalestages.co.uk/index.php/spectators
All photos © Kevin Money / Malcolm Almond

Further information on the Reis Motorsport Insurance Motorsport UK English Rally Championship: www.englishrally.co.uk