Wright aiming to get season back on track in Cumbria

Rally driver David Wright, from Bentham, is aiming to get his 2010 rally season back on track on next weekend’s Malcolm Wilson rally.

Wright’s season got off to a bad start when mechanical problems forced him to retire his Mitsubishi Evo 9 on the opening round of the BTRDA rally championship, the Wyedean Forest rally, but hopes are high for a good result on the second round which takes place in the forests of Cumbria.

“After our success last year it was disappointing to suffer a retirement on the Wyedean but we’ll be pushing hard in the Lakes to try and make up for it,” said Wright.

“We have sorted out the problem we had and we’ve remapped the engine so hopefully we’ll have a troublefree run.”

The rally starts from Cockermouth Main Street on Saturday morning and features around 45 miles of competitive action in the forests of Whinlatter, Greystoke and Grizedale. With recent snow and rain conditions are likely to be very slippery on the gravel tracks.

“The Lakes forests are usually pretty slippery on this event but the bad weather will’ve made them worse. Tyre choice is going to be vital and it will be a battle to keep the car on the road.”

“We’ve had some good results on the rally before though and it would be nice to get another one this year.”

Wright and co-driver Michael Wilkinson will contest the event with support from Giles Philips Motorsport, Drenth, Kumho Tyres, Proflex and Grove Hill Garage.

Attention all Malcolm Wilson rally cake fans!

Competitors, marshals and spectators attending the Malcolm Wilson rally on 6th March can enjoy a cake or three at the popular Greystoke stage of the event.

The cakes are being baked and sold by Penrith's Rachel Medich to raise money for a hospice and they will be priced at 40p for a small one or a cookie and 80p for a large one.

They will be available from Rachel at the EMMU rescue unit near the stage start of both runs of Greystoke, subject to there being any left! And with Rachel's famed cake-making ability demand is sure to be high so make sure you get there early to secure your cake.

Regs available for Britpart BCCC

Regulations for the 2010 Britpart British Cross Country Championship are now available.

The championship will comprise six rounds between April and October, kicking of on 17th/18th April with a round at a new venue near Ashby de la Zouch in Leicestershire.

2010 sees a good mix of new venues and old favourites such as Sweet Lamb and Bleddfa. Competition is sure to be tough with the top crews from 2009 expected to return to the championship.

The regulations can be downloaded from marches4x4.com.

New website for EMMU Rescue

Motorsport and eventing rescue unit EMMU (Emergency Mobile Medical Unit) have recently launched a new website to give an insight into their work and training.

The unit was established in 1981 and it provides medical support and rescue cover for various hazardous sports including car rallying, circuit racing, sprints and hillclimbs, motorsport private testing, powerboat racing and cross country eventing.

The EMMU team are all highly motivated, skilled people who volunteer their time to provide rescue cover. The team are trained so that they meet the required MSA and British Eventing standards.

EMMU operate three Mitsubishi Delicia ambulances which are fully equipped to provide all the necessary rescue services.

For more information please visit the new website at www.emmu.co.uk.

Wright suffers 'Dean disappointment

Bentham-based rally driver David Wright had a disappointing start to his 2010 rally season when he suffered an early retirement on the Team GMF Wyedean Forest rally in his Giles Philips Motorsport Mitsubishi Evo 9.

Wright and co-driver Michael Wilkinson started the event, which took place in and around the Forest of Dean, with high hopes of a top result to get Wright’s BTRDA rally championship defence off to a good start.

The opening stage of the event, Mailscot, saw Wright take 8th place despite bending his steering after hitting a rock.

“We made a steady start on the first stage and it was going well but sadly we arrived at a corner to find a large rock on the track right on the line we were committed to taking,” said Wright.

“There was no time to alter our line and we hit the rock with the right hand wheel. Unfortunately the impact bent the steering which cost us some time.”

The rally moved to the popular Serridge forest for stage two and it was here that Wright’s event ended.

“We were on the pace in Serridge but part way through the car leaked oil onto the turbo which forced us out.”

“It was a disappointing end as it looked like we could get a good result but that’s the way rallying goes sometimes. Hopefully we can make up for it on the next event. I’d like to thank Kumho Tyres, Proflex, Drenth and Grove Hill Garage for their support.”

Wright will return to the stages in early March for round two of the BTRDA championship, the Malcolm Wilson rally in Cumbria.

Image courtesy Chris Huish