Autosport 27th October 1988

Special Stage

National Champions

Ian Roberton's National title win came as no great surprise to the man himself. Having briefly sampled the series last year in the big Nissan 240RS, bereft of any sponsorship decals apart from a couple of small Dunlop stickers, the Farnham motor trader was confident from the off when the series began last January in Bournemouth. “I did four national events last year and although we finished outside the top-10, we were either the second or third rear- wheel-drive car home on each occasion. ’’ “Before the Audi I had claimed four top- three placings without actually winning an event outright but I think I deserve the title although I found this event very difficult, always aware that I must make the finish - it was a lot of pressure, ” he concluded.

The Nissan was originally built for Shekhar Mehta for the 1986 Hong Kong- Beijing rally and also driven by Louise Aitken-Walker in later National rounds. Roberton and navigator, Ron Hill, have prepared the car after work on evenings and at weekends. They will drive a self- prepared Sierra on the Lombard RAC rally in readiness for their defence of the National title in the GpA car.

Group N winner, George Donaldson, meanwhile, also believed in himself. “I must admit I was a little worried after the opening round when the Mazdas dominated but I knew the Ford had got the speed for the later rounds.”

That’s the spirit

A steady run from Martin Newson enabled the Suffolk driver to retain the Skoda Trophy. Martin, who also won the Spirit of the Rally award, finished seventh, almost 12mins behind Skoda winner Neil Burton who was in devastating form. Arthur Priestner, from Solihull, finished second, over Smins behind Burton, to claim the series runner-up spot, 12pts behind Newson.

David Oldridge finished third on the day but was not registered, Les Andrew, Alan Christopher and. Les Randall completed the top-six. Richard Platt retired with suspension failure on SS2 while Stuart Hodkin rolled and later retired with transmission failure.

Arden fast

Ian Arden claimed his first Lada Challenge win (96th overall) of the season which netted him the runner-up spot in the series honours. Dave Targett finished less than 1 min behind Arden while Steve Bowers and David Gunn completed the top-four of the Audi. Ray Write, who did not enter the Audi, claimed the Lada Challenge series laurels on the previous round.

Graham’s go

Having wrapped up the Securicor/Shell Oils Toyota Challenge and the Group A National title on the previous Quip Rally, Graham Middleton proceeded to win the Securicor Communications Go-phone Endurance Award in his brand new Group N Toyota Celica GT-Four. The Ludlow driver finished fourth in GpN (17th overall) in the Collins Cars built machine which turned a wheel for the first time only two days before the rally.

“I was very pleased with the car,” said Graham, “It has a tremendous amount of potential especially considering it was only giving around 80 per cent of its possible power due to a boost problem. "

David Mann consolidated his second place to Middleton in A2 with his third class win (29th overall) in the last four events following a hectic duel with John Cleary who spun on the final stage and came home just 8secs behind. Dave Brian was content to settle for third in class on the day to earn himself the N1 series laurels as David £vans led home Phillip Mowles.