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VRMSC Sunbeach RallySprint Cup, Rnd 2
Vaucluse Raceway,
Sun, Msy 4, 2003
 
Index
Intro Page 1 2 3 4 5
 
The Day's Report
By Glenn "Evo Thug" Beckles
 
Sean Gill in his NP/Sunbeach/ Kerridge/Pirelli/Simpson Motors Rally Team Suzuki Ignis won the 2nd round of the Sunbeach RallySprint Cup at the Vaucluse International Raceway. It was an action packed race day at the St.Thomas facility, and what made it more interesting was the track was run in the reverse (anti-clockwise) direction. With a direction change and a very loose track surface, the stage was set for the most interesting session of Rallysprint racing thus far.

With the drivers being unfamiliar with running the track in the counter-clockwise direction, the day started off with some practice runs. Some drivers still didn't quite get the hang of it, with some of them clipping the tires at the southern section of the course. After these runs, the drivers seemed ok with the change from the norm, and prepared themselves for the qualifying runs and the knockout runs later in the day.

The drivers in the Budget class got things underway, and they did quite well. Their efforts were greatly appreciated by the spectators, who realised that even though these cars weren't as well prepared as the other machines to come, the drivers gave of their all. As usual, the driver who pulled out all stops was sideways specialist Geoffrey Ullyett (Budget Nissan). It's even more interesting to note that Ullyett's Nissan is automatic. Ullyett tossed his Nissan around effortlessly, but nothing was really more spectacular than when he power sliding it upon approaching the entrance of the tunnel and yet again on the outer section of the track at the North bank. Alex Whitehead was also impressive on his Vaucluse debut. Sharing the blue Budget Nissan he showed great potential and is one to watch.

From the first round of qualifying runs, the action was intense. The fans eagerly awaited the showdown between Trevor "Electric Micey" Manning and Paul "The Surfer" Bourne. When the showdown finally came (even though it was sooner than people expected) it didn't exactly turn out as the fans expected. Both Manning and Bourne rocketed away from the starting line, each wanting to send an early message. However, this was to be short lived as The Surfer smacked the tires at the southern section of the course. With Manning being aware of this, upon exiting of the section under the bridge he offset his Evo and then flicked it around the hairpin. Not only did he flick the car around the hairpin, he flicked his lights at the crowd on the North bank as well. Manning completed his 2 laps of the circuit, while Bourne, after hitting the tires made his way around the track and pulled into the pits as soon as he reached the entrance.

Another interesting 4WD battle took place between Brian "The Iceman" Gill (right) and Barry Gale. Barry, sharing Sean Dowding's Evo V was quite impressive as he too, flicked the car around the Northern hairpin. Barry said "Even though there isn't much of a difference in terms acceleration between Sean's car and mine, however Sean's car is quite quick. With a little more seat time, I could have done even better times." Even though Barry wasn't fastest in the group, he was still consistent throughout the entire race day. Iceman was consistent as well, probably not as quick as he would have liked to have been, however.

Group 5 was a proverbial hotbed of activity as well, with Martin Atwell, Geoffrey Ullyett and Jonathan Still locked in intense battles. Martin Atwell's Westfield (left) is quite a handful, showing incredible acceleration and handling. The notes from its exhaust are a thrill to the ears, when the 1100cc Megabusa engine is in full cry. Jonathan Still gave a good showing. His tail-happy BMW M3 is a hit with motorsport fans. Especially with the rear of the car having the propensity to get out of line with a little stamp of the throttle. It's sleek looks and aggressive exhaust notes are added bonuses. Stillo's control of the car is increasing with every second of seat time, and he seems to be at home at the Vaucluse circuit. Geoffrey Ullyett was his usual self, sliding, offsetting and just leaving the crowd in awe of his skill and car control. Powersliding his Datsun at will; Ullyett looked as if he was really enjoying himself. Ullyett even cast a glance towards the crowd on the North bank as he sped past. The crowd showed their appreciation with cheers and screams. Probably the most incredible moment from Ullyett came in his qualifying run against John Corbin. At the end of the first lap, Ullyett had a commanding lead. This was due to the fact that Corbin had to stop on the course after Ullyett's car cast a blinding cloud of dust across the track into his lane. Upon exiting the Southern hairpin, Ullyett stopped and waited for Corbin to catch up with him. The crowd was shocked and wondered if Ullyett had gone insane (or even more insane, depending on how you look at it). As soon as Corbin drew level with him, Ullyett floored the accelerator and was back to his sideways antics. What followed was an incredibly quick set up and high-speed slide to take Ullyett under the bridge. Not only did he putdown some spectacular slides, he went on to win the race. Spectators were speechless, questioning the event that had just taken place before their very eyes.

With the qualifying runs over, it was time for the knockout runs to commence. What was to follow was some of the most competitive and heart-stopping action ever seen at the Vaucluse International Raceway. Alex Whitehead on his Vaucluse debut took Group1 honours. Freddie Gale and Neil Barnard had an enthralling battle in their group final. Sean Gill held off Kirk Watkins to take the Group 4 win. The Group 5 final between Martin Atwell and Geoff Ullyett was barnburner. Atwell in his super-quick Westfield, and Ullyett in his faithful Nissan aka "Yellow Fever" would be using every iota of his skill. It was a thrilling race from beginning to end, both drivers giving it their all. At the midway point it was too close to call. Atwell's Westfield rocketing down the straights and Ullyett's Nissan powering through the corners: who would be victorious? Coming down the top straight, it seemed too close to call. When the cars made the penultimate turns to come back to the finish, Atwell seemed to have a slight advantage, but Ullyett was giving it all he had. Atwell cross the line less than 2 seconds ahead of Ullyett, and even more drama was to come. The next race pitted Sean Dowding (right) against crowd favourite Trevor "Electric Micey" Manning. From the start of the race, there was drama. As the lights went green, Dowding sped away from the starting pad. Manning however was slow to leave. His Evo stalled, thus giving Dowding an advantage. Within no time, however, Manning was on level terms with Dowding and making a charge for the victory. With one lap to go, the cars were pretty evenly matched. Manning was pushing hard, wanting to obtain those valuable Sunbeach points and a chance to move on to the group final. As Manning approached the Northern hairpin, his car was set up to scandi around the tires. Then the unthinkable happened…Micey spun out. The Evo came to a halt in the middle of the turn. This allowed Dowding to take the victory and advance to the group final. Barry Gale then defeated Brian Gill. Barry seemed more at ease with the car and remained clean and consistent on his way to victory. It was nothing short of eye candy seeing Barry toss the Evo around and flick it through the hairpins. This just might be a sign of things to come from Mr.Gale, who has already shown himself to be a competent driver. Micey went on to defeat Iceman in the 3rd place final.

The handicap knockout matchups looked like this: Whitehead versus Barnard, Gill versus Ullyett and Atwell versus Dowding. Whitehead edged out Barnard in the first race. Whitehead, having defeated Barnard now went on to face the winner of the run-off between Sean Gill and Geoffrey Ullyett. Ullyett was driving his Budget Nissan and Gill piloting his Suzuki Ignis. Ullyett didn't have much of a head start, and Gill quickly whittled away at Ullyett's lead. Gill was clean and quick around the course, the Ignis sitting down and handling quite well. Sean Gill went on to defeat Alex Whitehead. Martin Atwell then lined up next to Sean Dowding. This proved to be a great race, Atwell's flighty Westfield and Dowding's powerhouse Evo V. Atwell rocketed away from the start pad, knowing that he didn't have a lot of time to play with. As Dowding stamped his Evo and propelled it into the first turn, one could see that he was a man with a mission. At the end of the first lap, both cars were close, with one not having that much of an advantage over the other. Atwell hurtled over the bridge and Dowding scandied the Evo around the Northern hairpin. Both drivers giving it their all. Then innocently as ever, Dowding spun his Evo this gave Atwell the victory, yet another upset during the day's racing. This set up a final between Atwell and Sean Gill. With the cars having run almost identical fastest times, instead of a handicap, their showdown became a head-to-head race. Gill was focussed on his task, and so was Atwell. Knowing that the slightest mistake could cost them a victory, the drivers wanted be as competitive, but still as careful as possible. Right until the final few turns, the cars were inseperable. Both drivers pushing their machines to the limit, not giving an inch, personifying what RallySprint races are all about. Gill's Ignis crossed the line less than 2 seconds ahead of Atwell's Westfield. Gill not only took the win, but also assumed the lead of the Sunbeach Rallysprint Cup, demoting teammate Trevor "Electric Micey" Manning to 3rd . Freddie Gale is second in the standings.

It was a spectacular day of racing, full of thrills and spills. Paul "The Surfer" Bourne hit his Impreza WRC, Graham Gittens Rolled his Toyota Starlet and Chan Geberdhan rolled his Budget Nissan. Apart from these incidents, it was a great day enjoyed by all. Special thanks go out to the organisers, and marshals who ensured the event was safe for all and run smoothly. Congratulations to all drivers. The 3rd RallySprint will be on June 1st. This will be International Rallysprint, where those drivers who are on our shores to take part in the Rally Barbados will tackle the Vaucluse International Raceway as the first part of their Barbados Rally Carnival endeavours. See you there.

 
 
Index
Intro Page 1 2 3 4 5
 
 
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