The Somerset Stages Rally based at Butlins, Minehead attracted 149 entries for the 41 mile stage event qualifying for the Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Rally Championship.
John Lloyd/Adrian Cavenagh and Andrew Barnes/Guy Simmons were having a good day on the classic Exmoor stages including the Porlock Toll Road which was used twice. Barnes who enjoys the tarmac roads recorded 5th fastest on his first run.
Andrew Barnes went into the final stage in 8th place and John Lloyd was 12th overall. The BTR Rally Team who prepare and manage both cars on event initially thought that they had received incorrect information when they heard that both cars had stopped following a fire. Both cars had lost hydraulic pressure resulting in the hydraulic oil spraying onto the hot components. Amazingly both cars were damaged within 400 yds of each other on the Croydon forestry stage,both crews were unhurt.
The event was won by Will Nicholls from the Isle of Wight driving a Subaru Impreza WRC, the Championship is led by Tim Pearcey.
BTR will now be examining why this problem occurred and preparing the cars for the next round of the championship, the Plains Rally on Saturday 16th May which is based in Welshpool.
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