Alan Healy Memorial Cadwell Park Stages
Alan Healy Memorial Cadwell Park Stages
Round 5 of the MSN Circuit Rally Championship
3 February 2020
Only the hardy brave the cold winter winds of February to photograph British motorsport. Here at Pistonclick we have the hardiest. Three brave souls went out in the Lincolnshire wolds to capture the Alan Healy Memorial Cadwell Park Stages which was round 5 of the MSN Circuit Rally Championship.
I was not one of the brave three, having migrated to find some winter sun a few weeks previously. I did think about the guys battling the wind and rain as I was taking in the warmth of the Mediterranean sun and to be honest with you I was missing it.
Motorsports photography can be quite addictive, and to be taken away from it and going cold turkey for a few months can be a shock to the system. Not much of a shock I will admit but I was missing it, and missing being out with the guys shooting some motorsports even more.
With the magic of the internet it’s not hard these days to keep in communication with the team. One of the great features of Facebook and other social media is live view.
A few of my other friends were broadcasting live so it was just like being there. Except for the warm sun, cool drink and fantastic views at my end.
With a few pictures and notes from the Rob and the two Davids, combined with the power of the internet we have a report for you.
The headline has to be Frank Bird in the splendidly turned out red Ford Focus 07 WRC taking his third consecutive overall and class win in 2020. David did manage to capture one of Frank's infrequent mistakes, but then David has a history of photographing Frank in compromising situations.
Take a look in the archives of last year's Donington round where Frank drove most of a stage with his bonnet flat against his windscreen - another great capture by David.
For the absent journalist, reporting on this event is not too difficult as the rally teams did a great job in making it easy for me.
First in car one, Frank Bird and Jack Morton. Second in car two, the Mk 2 Escort, Mark Kelly and Neil Coleman. Third in car three, Paul Smith and Dale Bowen on the Ford Fiesta R5. A 1,2,3 for cars 1,2 and 3.
The Mazda MX5 is probably not your immediate idea of a rally car, but on tarmac / circuit rallies it can be effective. Ben Short and Hannah Chislett are consistently entertaining in their Mk1 MX5
A rarer sight on UK rallies is the Opel Kadett of Allan Mcdowell and James Robson. Perhaps the 2500cc engine helps ! Sadly their rally finished early on SS5.
A report on the MSN Circuit Rally Championship would not be complete without a word on our adopted Nissan Micra team of Adam and Ray Ripper – Ray is Dad (co-driver) and Adam is son (driver).
After slightly modifying the headlights early on they went to master the twists and turns of the mini Nurburgring. Seen here putting on the style over the mountain on the way to a well deserved class win. As Ray said “not bad for a shopping trolley !”
I would like to thanks David Harbey, David Gowshall and RP Watkinson Photography for the pictures and notes. You can see more great pictures from theses motorsports photographers by following the links below.
David Gowshall
:DEEGEE: Photography
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