MOTOR SPORT

West Cumbria Motorsport Club has been quiet over the last few weeks but with the Roger Albert Clark Rally putting on a Challenge event last Sunday in Greystoke Forest it was a opportunity four members couldn't resist, writes WHEELSPIN.

The Greystoke Challenge was a Four Stage Rally, with two stages in daylight - then watch the main rally go through before another two in the dark. It was something new to all but one of the crews. 

Seven crew's entered for this event with the first car away at 139, which was the immaculate Green Mk1 Escort of David Mitchinson and Ryan Winthrop.

The Maryport duo (pictured alongside) made a cautious start as they had heard how slippery it was in the forest, and with the ditches being so deep if the ‘Ole Lass’ went in, she probably wouldn't come out.

A good run on the first two saw Mk1 parked-up and ready for the final two in the dark.

These two didn't go to plan and on the first section of Stage Three the Escort just would not go in a straight line. At one point they though they had a flat, and when going into a tight left hand bend flat in fourth gear the car decided to do a pirouette, costing the crew about 40 seconds, finishing up facing the wrong way.

They got going and managed to finish the event fourth O/A and 1st in Class.

Right aback of them was the father/son duo of Reg and Andrew Irving in the Pug 205 and with only a falling alternator to report on the last stage and a couple of slips and slides the Cockermouth duo brought their Pug home 5th 0/A and 2nd in Class.

Martin Breen and Simon Graham in their Pug 106 also had a trouble free run but did do most of the event with a broken strut. They finished 3rd O/A and 1st in Class. beating the Escort by a mere 27 seconds, which just shows how close it was.

Unfortunately for the last crew of Sam Steel and David Jackson they didn’t get round. Greystoke claimed Sam yet again, as this was his second go in this forest.

They were forced to retire with gearbox problems, but they nearly never got to the start line, as a gallant effort from David saw him working on the car until 4 am Sunday morning.

The club will be holding their Xmas party on the 14th December at the Sheep and Wool Centre and all members are welcome. EMMU are coming to do a talk and show, starting from 7-30pm.

West Cumbria Motorsport Club went on a night-out on Monday when they visited the Cockermouth Mountain Rescue building, and to say it was an interesting night wouldn't give the lads enough credit. 

I was probably like most people and didn't really understand what the CMR did. I knew they went out and brought people off mountains but what I didn't know was that this rescue unit, who this year alone have been called out to over 80 incidents, were not government funded and relay solely on the contributions of the general public, to which they are very grateful. 

The evening started out with light refreshments, then Derrick Tunstall along with his fellow colleagues, Chris Abbot and Andrew Pickavance, gave a slide show on what the Unit actually do, which in itself was very informative and interesting.

It was then onto a tour of the facility showing us the Communications Room, the three highly equipped Land Rovers and also the climbing wall.  The whole night lasted about 90 minutes and  is well worth a visit. There is no cost for the visit and you are made most welcome. I would highly recommend this, and so would the other members of WCMC.

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