Steve Perez, MD of the ‘Global Brands’ drinks concern, has won the Golden Jubilee Rainworth Skoda Dukeries Rally in his Ford Focus WRC. This is the Chesterfield driver’s second victory on the event, adding to his first which came in 2006. Co-driven by Sam Collis, Perez set fastest times on the final three stages of the day to overhaul the Hyundai Accent WRC of Damian Cole/Tim Sturla for the top spot. It was also a case of deja-vu for Cole who has finished 2nd for the third consecutive year…
The Mitsubishi Lancer of Yorkshire farmer Charlie Payne and Craig Thorley took 3rd place in a Top 10 that witnessed some significant changes during the day. 2007 Dukeries winners Will Nicholls/Nick Broom were quickest on the opening stage in their Subaru Impreza WRC, only for it to develop terminal engine problems shortly afterwards. Defending Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Gold Star Rally Champions, Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank, took over the lead, only for their Ford Focus WRC to suffer an under-bonnet fire and they, too, were on their way home.
Perez had had a problem on the first run through Clipstone South, costing 20 seconds and allowing Cole to edge ahead. However, by the second stage in Sherwood Pines, Perez was back in front – and stayed there through to the finish at Southwell Racecourse.
One of the pre-event favourites, Andy Burton, was in 3rd place after the third of the nine stages, but his Peugeot Cosworth retired with driveshaft failure on the next.
BTRDA Series regulars Will Onions/Tim Hobbs were victorious in the keenly-fought battle for two-wheel drive honours. Their Ford Escort MkII was 13th overall, three places in front of their nearest rivals, Mick Jones/Dale Furniss, in another Escort. In what turned out to be a Ford benefit, the next such vehicle was the RS1800 of Jason Lepley/John McNichol which also won the Historic section from the similar cars of Richard Lane/Frank Richer and Chris White/Chris Dewsnap.
Justin Lawson/Paul Hargreaves emerged as victors of the 1400 category in their Vauxhall Nova, with the Corsa of Brian McGuinness/Ian Harden next up and Steve Black/Paul Morris (MG ZR) 3rd. However, these three crews didn’t have it all their own way – after the first pair of stages, the rotary-engined Ford Escort of Nottingham’s Peter Beer/John Pickavance held the advantage before clutch failure on the third stage put them out. Darren Pinchin/Karen Watts then took over at the helm before, with one stage to go, their 2008 Championship-winning Proton Satria was sidelined when an engine mounting broke and punched a hole in the radiator.
The Golden Jubilee Rainworth Skoda Dukeries Rally has been cause for celebration in a number of ways. The anniversary has been achieved without a break – the organisers, Dukeries Motor Club Ltd, have braved petrol crises, the three-day week and foot-and-mouth disease to promote their popular event which first ran in 1960. In spite of these troubled financial times, the 50th running was blessed with a capacity entry of 150 cars and took place in glorious sunshine. Since the event’s inception, only the late Roger Clark, Brian Bell and Andy Burton have won it three times – Steve Perez’ victory raises his tally to two and it will be no surprise to see him back next year for a chance to put his name in the record books alongside them.