Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship leader James Williams has rocketed into an impressive early Manx National Rally lead.
Co-driven by Ross Whittock, the Welshman set fastest time on all four of Leg 1’s stages in his Orange Amplifiers Hyundai i20 N Rally2 and goes into the afternoon break leading by an impressive 48.4 seconds.
Mark Kelly/Will Atkins are second after a good start in their Kelmore Škoda Fabia R5, while Neil Roskell/Dai Roberts are 14.1 seconds further behind in third in their ND Civils/Lomand Plant Hire/Hauraton Drainage Products/Witham Motorsport Fiesta Rally2.
Hugh Hunter/Rob Fagg had low engine rev-range flat spot issues during shakedown, but it appears to have cleared as they hold fourth in their Robert Hunter & Son Tarmac/Lewis & Hunter Contracting Fiesta Rally2.
It’s been an excellent start for Simon Bowen//Craig Simkiss, as they hold fifth in their Fiesta S2000T, while Steve Wood/Kenny Hull compete the top six in their Sligo Pallets Citroën C3 Rally2.
The top 2WD crew is currently Darren Atkinson/Matt Daniels, who hold a magnificent seventh Protyre Asphalt spot in their Haldane Fisher Escort Mk2 – despite a “blunder” on SS1.
It’s been a nightmare start for last year’s Manx National Rally winners and defending Protyre Asphalt champions Callum Black/Jack Morton, who sustained early damage after cutting a corner in their Pallas Connections Fiesta Rally2 and then picked up a puncture on SS4. The 586 Sport duo are eighth Protyre Asphalt crew, a minute behind the leaders.
John Forrest/Ashleigh Will picked up a front puncture in their Alan Causey Autosport-prepared Literal Ink Fiesta Rally2, Chris Butcher/Jonathan Hawkins had intercom problems in their Severnside Defibs Nissan Sunny GTI F2 and Ben Crump/Ian Beamond entertained the crowd with an unintentional, yet very stylish, doughnut at a hairpin in their Escort Mk2.
Wayne Jones/Dafydd Evans (Darrian T90 GTR), Mal Boyd/Colin Blunt (Escort Mk2) and class B10 leaders Rory and Paul McCann (Metalways Honda Civic) all stopped on SS4.
Each rally Geoff Doe, the Protyre Asphalt chief scrutineer, chooses a best presented car award sponsored by Dynamic Fluids – which on the Manx goes to Will Rowlands/Emyr Hall for their immaculate BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2 challenger.
Leg 2 starts at 18:34 and contains a further five stages totalling 38.40 miles before the finish this evening at 21:33 – which is where full Round 2 Protyre Asphalt points will be awarded.
Live and free-to-view streamed coverage also continues tonight on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels.
Manx National Rally – top 6 after Leg 1 (SS4)
1. James Williams/Ross Whittock (Hyundai i20 N Rally2)….18mins 08.5secs
2. Mark Kelly/Will Atkins(Škoda Fabia Rally2)….18mins 56.9secs
3. Neil Roskell/Dai Roberts (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….19mins 11.0secs
4. Hugh Hunter/Rob Fagg (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….19mins 13.3secs
5. Simon Bowen//Craig Simkiss (Fiesta S2000T)….19mins 18.4secs
6. Steve Wood/Kenny Hull (Citroën C3 Rally2)….19mins 20.5secs
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