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 DUCKWORTH
WINS IN SWANSEA AS MANN INCREASES KUMHO CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
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Kumho National Rally Championship - Round Five |
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Roger Duckworth and co-driver Aled Davies were first across the
line in Saturday's (9th August) Swansea Bay Rally, round five of the
Kumho National Rally Championship, with the Kumho Tyres supported
crew of David Mann and Alun Cook second, a result which sees them
extend their series lead.
 Temperatures on the day soared into the nineties, which combined with the recent spell of dry weather, resulted in a fine layer of gravel covering the 65 miles of tracks which were to form the six timed special stages in the forests of the Neath and Afan Valleys.
This annual event organised by Port Talbot Motor Club attracted 60 entries for the rally's National section, all crews finding the stages exceptionally dusty and very slippery.
The event was to witness a day-long battle between the eventual winners, Duckworth/Davies in their WRC Subaru Impreza and championship leaders Mann/Cook in their Group A Subaru Impreza.
Seeded at number one, Mann/Cook were acknowledged as having an advantage - being first on the road they were not troubled by dust from cars ahead of them. Although claiming the lead after SS1, Mann reported a disadvantage - the loose gravel on the road surface making the going very slippery.
Duckworth/Davies were slowed on the first stage when a problem with their car's gear linkage lost them half a minute and they emerged from the test in eighth place.
Andy Burton and John Roberts in their hybrid Peugeot Cosworth claimed the lead after SS2, but a cracked manifold and then gearbox problems saw them drop back and subsequently retire, Mann/Cook reclaiming the lead on SS3.
Meanwhile, Duckworth/Davies were on a charge to make up for lost time and a series of clear runs saw them pass Mann/Cook on SS4, who were still up front and 'sweeping' the gravel off the road for the following competitors.
Not wanting to spoil what was destined to be a secure second place, Mann/Cook continued with their Kumho Championship aspirations in mind and opted to settle for second place behind Duckworth/Davies.
At the finish, both drivers were delighted with the outcome:
"I'm very pleased to make it two wins in a row, which is unusual in the Kumho Championship as it is so competitive," said Duckworth. "It's a shame that we had such a disappointing start to the season as it will now be difficult for us to win the title with just two rounds to go."
Mann, on the other hand, was driving for the championship and not the event:
"I had a few spins and even an off in the morning because it was so slippery, so I have to admit I took it steady in the afternoon as I did not want to sacrifice my championship lead. Considering the conditions, the Kumho tyres worked well and did a great job throughout the event."
Mann now enjoys a 27 point lead and requires just a further 16 points from the next two rounds, equivalent to an eighth place or higher, to clinch the title.
In the Group N, Production car Class, Brendan Crealey/Steve Harris brought their Mitsubishi home first, a result which rewarded them with third place overall and victory in the Evolution Challenge.
Second production car home was the Subaru Impreza of Nigel Griffiths/Andrew Owens, whilst Gavin Cox/Tim Hobbs upheld Kumho honours finishing just six seconds behind in fifth place overall and second in the Evolution Challenge.
The sixth round of the Kumho National Rally Championship now moves north of the border for the Park Systems Stages, which takes place in the forests of the Galloway Hills on 13th September. Without doubt, all eyes will be on David Mann and Alun Cook to see if they can claim the title of Kumho National Champions in a car supported by and running on Kumho tyres.
Kumho National Rally Championship Round Five - Results:
| 1st |
Roger Duckworth (Towcester)
/Aled Davies (Pencoed) |
Subaru WRC
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1:07.08.0 |
| 2nd |
David Mann (Bungay)
/Alun Cook (Caerphilly) |
Subaru Impreza
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1:07.29.3 |
| 3rd |
Brendan Crealey (Portadown)
/Steve Harris (Sheffield) |
Mitsubishi Evo VII
(Gp N) |
1:09.01.6 |
| 4th |
Nigel Griffiths (Presteigne)
/Andrew Owens (Bath) |
Subaru Impreza
(Gp N) |
1:09.04.4 |
| 5th |
Gavin Cox (Hope Valley)
/Tim Hobbs (Randlay) |
Mitsubishi Evo VII
(Gp N) |
1:09.11.9 |
| 6th |
Bob Ceen (Malvern)
/Alistair Douglas (Malvern) |
Subaru Impreza
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1:09.17.8 |
| 7th |
Steve Palmer (Maidstone)
/Steve Greenhill (Harlow) |
Mitsubishi Evo VII
(Gp N) |
1:09.31.9 |
| 8th |
Charlie Payne (Ripon)
/Craig Thorley (Pocklington) |
Subaru Impreza
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1:09.48.1 |
| 9th |
Simon Rogers (Radlett)
/Patrick Walsh (Aberystwyth) - |
Escort Cosworth
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1:10.16.9 |
| 10th |
Anthony Willmington (Dorchester)
/Andy White (Dorchester) |
Mitsubishi Evo VI
(Gp N) |
1:10.18.0 |
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