MONTHLY MUG--DECEMBER 2000

here' always been something about the Preston Rally which encourages an effort that is impressive. It's rough, tough and a 'he-man's' rally with mile after mile of too hard or too soft rough (and I mean rough) terrain--in reality I suppose it's the car that should get the mug.

Be that as it may this month's Mugs go to Graham Child and Kevin Ablitt for achieving a very, very creditable 10th overall in a Mk 1 Mexico which had experienced a very hard life for some time, being ex Trevor Dagwell who was one of our top rally drivers several years ago. 

Although the recent inclement weather had forced the organisers to make severe cuts in the route there was still plenty of East Anglia to force lots of competitors to take the early bath and most to need some kind of patching up before half way. Andy and Viv Elcomb were out but severe damage to the tatty 309 they'd bought for the occasion by way of ripped suspension (held together with string substitute for a lot of the event and all the way home) - although the real culprit was the early arrival at NTC2 which cost them 7th place overall, dropping them to 13th. Allan Sayers was out with Bob Stokoe from Croydon MC and beat their seeding to finish 26th overall--no mean achievement for a relative newcomer.

Well done Graham and Kevin, it has reinforced their second place in our Rally Championship and follows their class win on the SECS Road Rally Championship.

Chin

Back to January's Home Page