2001 Moonshine Rally Report

7 December 2001

The Queen's University of Belfast Motor Club held their annual Clubman Navigation Rally, the Moonshine Rally, last Friday night. This was the first such event in Northern Ireland since the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in mid February.  The entry suffered as a consequence, but 16 cars still started the 60 mile route through Co. Down.

Class 1 was closely fought throughout, with the championship regulars John Henderson/Lloyd Cochrane and Trevor/Richard Reid tying on 1 penalty apiece by the half way stage. The rally was decided on one tight section 10 miles from the finish, where the Reids uncharacteristically took a wrong turn. They incurred a 30 minute penalty, thus handing victory to Henderson/Cochrane in their Talbot Sunbeam, with last years winners, Neill Kilpatrick/Eric McCombe finishing second on 20 penalties.

The leading crews in Class 2 performed particularly well in the first half, with Brian Gray/Jim Smith's Escort not only leading the class, but also lying 3rd overall. They held on to their slender class advantage until the end, gaining an 11 minute lead to John Adams/Mervyn Elder, with Derek Calvin/Dwayne Marshall 3rd in class on 75 minutes.

Class 3 was for rally school crews. Alan Shilliday/Wayne McCrum set the early pace and continued their good form throughout to finish as class winners on 46 minutes, which was an impressive 4th overall, even beating the Class 2 winners who ran on the same instructions. Father and son, George/Stephen Wallace, were runners-up with 62 minutes and Robert/Liz McGimpsey finished third on 73 minutes.

 

Results

1 John Henderson/Lloyd Cochrane Talbot Sunbeam 3

2 Neill Kilpatrick/Eric McCombe Ford Escort 20

3 Trevor Reid/Richard Reid Ford RS2000 35

4 Alan Shilliday/Wayne McCrum Rover 218 46

5 Brian Gray/Jim Smith Ford Escort 60

6 George Wallace/Stephen Wallace Cavalier 62

7 John Adams/Mervyn Elder Astra 71

8 Robert McGimpsey/Liz McGimpsey Mini 73

9 Derek Calvin/Dwayne Marshal Escort 75

10 Barry Elmore/Gerry McQuaid Nissan 200SX 110

 

Patrick McCollum

Posted by PMcCollum on 4/12/2008; Last updated by PMcCollum on 4/12/2008