Allingham is 2010 Welsh Champion
Alex Allingham and Co-Driver Mark Glennerster have won the Hankook Welsh National Rally Championship in fine style with 3rd overall on this weekend’s Cambrian Rally. All the pair had to do to win the overall championship was to ensure they finished the rally which proved a challenging task trying to drive on the “safe” side of flat out.
Alex and Mark just needed to cross the start ramp to win the Production Cup part of the championship but the overall Welsh Championship was still all to play for and it was difficult to concentrate on the prize with the pressure of getting the car through the tough classic Welsh Stages.
The “Richard Allingham Cars” backed Subaru Impreza had a cautious start on the first of 6 Stages. Heavy overnight rain had made the stages muddy and very slippery and stage two caused the pair their first heart stopping moment. Mid way through the classic “Clocaenog East” forest stage a fast tightening right hand bend caught the pair out causing a spin and lost them valuable seconds to their fellow competitors. The nerves were now at fever pitch but a welcome 25 minute service in the market town of Ruthin gave the pair the time to compose themselves before heading off to the next loop of stages in Penmacho Forest.
Glorious sunshine and blue sky was now the order of the day, but with the cold temperature the stages refused to dry out and “Penmachno North” which was the first of the two runs through this little used classic RAC forest was no less slippery. This meant the nerves were back with a vengeance. Alex launched the Hankook tyres shod Subaru off the start line and concentrated on the fluidly described pace notes called out by Mark. Mid way through the stage they realised they were catching the more powerful Ford Focus WRC of Peter Stephenson who had started the stage 1 minute ahead of them. Alex was eager to get passed the ailing Ford but due to the nature of the narrow roads this proved impossible. This delay cost the pair valuable time on the event leaders but even despite the hold up Alex and Mark still managed to set 3rd fastest stage time which goes to show their pace over the first part of the stage was electrifying..
The following “Penmachno South” was less dramatic and the pair came through secure in 3rd overall and now leading the Group N production category.
The Final service was back in Ruthin, the service crew had to replace the front brake discs as they had exploded as they reached the finish line of the last stage.
The challenge now was to complete the final two stages but maintaining 3rd position overall behind the two Ford Focus World rally cars of Steve Perez and Hugh Hunter.
Alex and Mark kept it together with a very professional drive and exited the final time control of the season as 2010 Hankook Welsh National Rally Champions and Hankook Welsh National Production Cup winners.
At the finish Allingham was jubilant, ‘it’s been a tough but enjoyable day, having to measure our pace, but at the same time keeping our eye on our fellow championship contenders. We would like to thank Hankook for the tyres we have used all season, which have been excellent and handled every condition and situation we have thrown at them’
Alex and Mark are contemplating which Championships are available before making any plans for 2011. “A larger budget is needed for us to make the jump up to the British Rally Championship” said Alex “It looks likely that we’ll be back to defend our title on the 20111 Hankook Welsh National Championship”
Both Alex and Mark would like to thank Hankook for supporting the Championship, David Evison, Gwyn Roberts and his team for providing an excellent and competitive Championship and also his Sponsors, Richard Allingham Cars, Mccrash Rally Media, Workwear4you, Grade A Subaru, Mc-Video, Edgespeed, and racebits.co.uk
Photo and Report Courtesy of Chris Horner / Mccrash Rally Media – www.mccrash.co.uk