Defending Protyre Asphalt champion Callum Black fought back on Leg 2 of the Manx National Rally and jumped from ninth overall (eighth Protyre) to second in his Pallas Connections Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Co-driven by Jack Morton, the 586 Sport driver set fastest time on three out of the four stages that were run on Friday night to propel himself up the leaderboard in impressive style.
It was James Williams who scored maximum Round 2 points however, as he increased his overall lead to 1min 17.9secs. It wasn’t all plain sailing, as he and co-driver Ross Whittock had to survive Leg 2’s final two stages with brake problems in their Orange Amplifiers Hyundai i20 N Rally2.
Steve Wood/Kenny Hull moved from sixth to third after a great run under the Northern Lights in their Sligo Pallets Citroën C3 Rally2.
Simon Bowen//Craig Simkiss brushed a wall and were fortunate to only scuff a wheel rim as they continue their great run in fourth in their Fiesta S2000T, while Hugh Hunter/Rob Fagg are only 0.7secs behind in their Robert Hunter & Son Tarmac/Lewis & Hunter Contracting Fiesta Rally2.
It was another amazing leg for Darren Atkinson/Matt Daniels. They set fourth fastest time overall on SS8 and are not only the top 2WD crew but are a sensational sixth overall in their Haldane Fisher Escort Mk2.
The 15.60 mile Ellerslie (SS8) test was to prove dramatic, as Mark Kelly/Will Atkins (Kelmore Škoda Fabia R5), Neil Roskell/Dai Roberts (ND Civils/Lomand Plant Hire/Hauraton Drainage Products/Witham Motorsport Fiesta Rally2) and Wayne Sisson/Michael Hendry (AMS Arnside Motorsport Mitsubishi Evo 10) all stopped.
John Stone (Legend Fires Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) had to pull out when his co-driver Laura Marshall became ill, while Rob Fisher/Kari Bates retired their Citroën DS3 R3T when the power steering pipe burst.
Full Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship points will be awarded after Friday’s Leg 2 (Round 2), while Round 3 will be fought out over Saturday’s remaining six stages / 66.36 stage miles.
Live and free-to-view streamed coverage continues on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels.
Manx National Rally – top 6 after Leg 2 (SS9)
1. James Williams/Ross Whittock (Hyundai i20 N Rally2)….47mins 20.5secs
2. Callum Black/Jack Morton (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….47mins 38.4secs
3. Steve Wood/Kenny Hull (Citroën C3 Rally2)….49mins 26.8secs
4. Simon Bowen//Craig Simkiss (Fiesta S2000T)….49mins 49.1secs
5. Hugh Hunter/Rob Fagg (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….49mins 49.8secs
6. Darren Atkinson/Matt Daniels (Ford Escort Mk2)….50mins 03.4secs
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