Manx Rally victory for Shropshire co-driver

The event began on the Friday evening with 120 crews tackling six stages based primarily in the south of the island. Typically, rain fell during the evening stages making conditions tricky, a situation not helped by the failure of the wipers on the third stage around Port Erin. However despite the rain the pair managed to hold on to second place when the rally returned to the TT Grandstand Service Area.

Saturday dawned cloudy, but with a good forecast Pritchard/Clarke were looking to try and claw back some of the lost time. However it wasn't to be as a mixture of cold tyres and a greasy surface sent the Focus into a spin on the first stage of the morning, Clarke believing that they were fortunate to get away with no damage to the car.

A fastest time on the classic 12 mile Baldwin's stage saw them claw back 15 seconds, but it was the ultra slippy Cringle test that saw them take the lead when long time leaders Paul Bird/Aled Davies picked up a puncture and decided that with a good result gone they would retire.

With nearly a minute's advantage over second place there was no serious pressure from behind and Pritchard/Clarke held on to take their second win on the trot.

John Brazier from Cleobury Mortimer and Ludlow's John Grehan also made the trip over to the island, Brazier hiring a Mitsubishi Evo 6 for a rare appearance.

With both Brazier and Grehan admitting that they were a bit rusty they sensibly took a cautious approach to the event, especially in the wet conditions Friday evening. An intercom fault on the Saturday was the only issue to beset the team, fixed by a new battery, and with confidence growing on both sides of the car they were pleased to complete the rally, finishing in 61^st overall and seventh in class.

The next meeting of Ludlow Castle Motor Club will be held on May 13^th at the Ludlow Brewing Company starting at 20.00, all are welcome.

Picture courtesy of ralliphotowales