Beverley & District Motor Club
	Armstrong Massey Rally 2000 - The Story

Sunday 9th July 2000

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Mixed weather conditions didn't deter Andy Elliott and Graham Wilcox from notching up another win on the Armstrong Massey Rally 2000 on Sunday 9th July 2000. With many of the stages being tarmac, competitors who got in a dry run had a distinct advantage over the rest. Beverley & District Motor Club put on their usual good mix of venues in a compact area of East Yorkshire.

Running at number one in their MG Metro 6R4, Andy Elliott/Graham Wilcox opened proceedings on stages 1 & 2 at Elvington in sunny conditions. These early tarmac stages were tricky with tyres still cold and the stages drying out from heavy overnight rain. As usual, most of the puddles were on the apex of corners with some big ones catching out the unwary on the long straights. Andy Elliott stamped his authority on the event by notching up fastest time on stage 1 ahead of Ian Jemison/Dean Kellett. On stage 2 however, he was eclipsed by Nick Pullan/Graham Hepworth in their Vauxhall Astra.

Two stages on Melbourne preceeded first service at Gunby, which was to be the central all day service point. A mixture of Melbourne's narrow concrete tracks and some loose, made for exciting stages. The odd patch of water was still there to catch out the unwary. A parked horsebox also added another hazard for competitors. Ray Brammer/Matthew Whattam were fastest on the first of the two, but Elliott got his act togther for the second run to record the only sub 3.00 minute time for the stage.

The two stages at Gunby saw the first of the rain showers. Early runners would just about get a dry run as the rain swept in. Chris Bown/Roger Bown were fastest on the first with car 49 Jazz Nandhra/Tim Currie claiming honours for stage two.

The very fast tarmac airfield stages at Skillings, tempered by the occasional shower was the scene of many incidents. Tony Bardy/Peter Croft got confused by a hairpin and executed a half spin whilst the Sapphire Cosworth of Mark Loomes/Stephen Lloyd missed it altogether! He had more success on his second run, but clipped an oil drum on the apex.

Greg Wilkinson/Jonathan Padgett limped their Impreza off the stage with a broken drive-shaft after drifting wide onto the loose. The Escort of Dave Hemingway/James Greenwood entertained the spectators with their novelty ice-cream van chimes! The stage had to be stopped at one point for the marshals to rebuild a merge section after it was demolished by a competitor. This was to cause delays throughout the rest of the event.

A single run through the short Beacon stage at Holme-on-Spalding Moor preceeded second service back at Gunby followed by two stages at the service point itself. David Duff/Paul Oliver were unlucky to lose a wheel and stub axle on the narrow Beacon stage.

Elliott was still notching up good times through Gunby, but Tony Conway at 10 and Donovan Jenkin in car 3 were all knocking at the door. Ray Brammer was also there, but after the next 4 stages he would be out of contention.

The morning stages stages at Melbourne were reversed for the afternoon runs. Elvington was also considerably re-routed. This may have been Ray Brammer's undoing as he suffered a maximum due to missing a complete lap. A top 5 finish suddenly evaporated.

The afternoon stages at Skillings still kept the title for the most entertaining venue as it had to be stopped again whilst the Police aprehended some villan they'd been chasing! The rain kindly held off for the afternoon and helped a hard charging Tony Bardy/Peter Croft to a 4th overall 1st in class C. Tony Conway/James Dixon came home 2nd overall closely followed by Donovan Jenkin/Ian Bass. The local crew of Gavin Ruler/Jane Sturdy rounding off the top five. Class B honours went to Dave Hemingway/James Greenwood and the class A title was lifted by Stephen Emms/Paul Jacklin.

Words by Howard Everingham. Pictures by Jon Meacock.