MOONLIGHT MADNESS IN KILLER KIELDER

There was a mixed reaction to the unusual experience of night time rallying as crews tackled the 7.8 kilometre Bewshaugh stage, the first of the night,s three in the giant Kielder complex. As the cars exited the stage, opinions varied from “Very slippy” to “”Excellent” while one Land Rover driver exclaimed, “We,re having a wonderful time”.

Mark Higgins started his climb back up the leaderboard, fastest overall he jumped from 11 th to 4 th, brother David however, complained he couldn’t find the right rhythm, but was still 4 th quickest behind Lorna Smith who set a remarkable third fastest in her Eddie Stobart Subaru Impreza despite a visit into the trees.

Langwathby’s Paul Bird overshot a junction and lost a minute to the leaders while Jon Ingram complained of feeling ill but hung on to 10 th. Overall.. Young Gareth McHale clouted a large rock, his Toyota showed no visible scars and he didn’t seem to be unduly delayed while Richard Gower visited one of Kielders many ditches and was lucky to get back onto the road.

John Lloyd emerged from the stage with his front bumper missing although he couldn’t recall it falling off!! Brian O’Mahoney’s Puma was slowed by a bent steering arm, dropping to the tail end of the field.

Barry Clark reported that a warning light was flashing but he didn’t know why. Robbie Dale lost time, turning the wrong way at a junction and Andrew Leece reported his Renault Clio swaying from side to side, possibly as a result of a tight differential. Swedish driver, Anders Fredericson retired his Renault Clio on the startline, poor reward for his long trip to do the event.

The crews are now heading for the final two stages of the night before getting back to Carlisle for a well earned, if brief rest.

Top 10 crews:-

McHale/Murphy 25.47.1, D.Higgins/D.Barritt 26.13.7, Ling/Allsop 26.13.8, Bird/ Windress 26.14.2, G.McHale/ P.Nagle 26.44.0, T.Laukkanen/ 26.45.6, Perez/ Dashfield 26.50.9, J.Milner/ N.Beech 26.53.3, Ingram/ C.wood 26.56.8.