IRDC QUATTRO magazine Spring 2019

IRDC Quattro The Magazine of the International Rally Drivers Club

MONTE CARLO SPECIAL EDITION

Spring Issue 2019 •

Our 50th year in prospect

•

Monte Historique - how did our team do?

•

Clacton or Barbados, spot the difference

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Gus Greensmith is our interviewee

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Race Retro in the sunshine

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The modern Monte, a viewpoint

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Autosport International reviewed

•

BRC - the first round

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WRC after three rounds

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Nissan LEAF on test

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Déjà vu goes to Donegal

•

Bryan Brophy Obituary

Spring Issue 2019 Volume 10 CONTENTS Page 3 Page 4 Page 5

Contents The Chair looks forward to our 50 th year Officers and Committee

Page 6

Monte Carlo Historique How did IRDC Team GB fare on the snow and ice?

Page 13

Clacton to Barbados We look at two events 4000 miles apart but with much in common

Page 18

The Big Interview Gus Greensmith is in the hot seat this issue

Page 22

Race Retro Stoneleigh in the sunshine, the annual show of all things historic

Page 26

Monte Meanderings Our roving editor goes off-on-one during his annual visit to the principality Autosport International A different hall at NEC maybe, but how was the show?

Page 31 Page 35

British Rally Championship A new year, but the story was the same Page 36 World Rally Championship A look back over the first three rounds- and very different they were Page 42 Quick Test We take the new Nissan leaf electric car for a spin Page 45 Donegal for Déjà vu The annual Irish fund raiser moves to pastures new Photographs: Andrew Thomlinson, Keith Dodsworth, M & H Photography, Nicholas Bajan Photography, WRC Promotor, BRC Images, motorsports UK, Ken Davies, M Sport and Gus Greensmith archive Front Cover:

IRDC Team GB competitors on the 20th Edition Monte Carlo Historique wait in the snow at a Passage Control in St Agrève

The views expressed in this magazine are those of the individual writers and they do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or the Officers and Committee of the International Rally Drivers Club Limited.

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WE ARE 50!

Also, to those who rest in the reserved IRDC Parc Fermé in the heavens; again too many to mention.

We already had a strong showing on the Monte Carlo-Historique this year with a large team and major celebrations in the Principality to start this Anniversary year. Which is entirely relevant, as Monaco really is the spiritual home of the club is; where it all started.

Y

es, we're celebrating our 50th Anniversary year: something of which I am very proud . The club held its first meeting on August 15 1969 at The Park Royal Hotel, Ealing W5, where a committee was formed, the 'objects of association' were agreed and the club established.

It incorporated the assets from the Monte-Carlo Rally British Competitors Club and the lifetime members from back in the halcyon days of the 1950s and 1960s. I am pleased to say some are still members, and a special mention goes to Gordon Mowatt who, well into his 90s, is still driving – well done Gordon. Also, to Rob Mackie who contested the Monte and many events in the 1960s up to the present day; and of course to Rodney Spokes and the original founding members who had the vision to create the IRDC. There are far too many people to thank individually for the journey the club has been on, so many thanks to the members who have been with the club and supported the committee all these years.

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Don't forget that we will also be celebrating at Goodwood for the Festival of Speed in July. Please keep Saturday August 17 free in your diaries for our Anniversary dinner. It's at Vale Royal Abbey in Northwich, Cheshire and more details will follow over the next couple of weeks. The club is in a good place now and we are building on the strong committee and the membership we have worldwide. Financially we continue to remain stable and have a great magazine produced by Rick and Chrissie ─ thank you.

So, what for the future? Well none of us are getting any younger and we need to continue to attract younger members who ─ of course ─ are the future of the club. We need to support our existing members and look for new ideas to develop and future-proof the club for years to come.

All that remains is to say a personal thank you to each one of you for making the IRDC what it is today. Here's to the next 50 years and beyond!

Shaun Martin Chair IRDC IRDC Quattro

IRDC OFFICERS & COMMITTEE President

Committee Members

Jimmy McRae

Peter Baker Tel: 00 44 (0)1386 871040 Email: pwb@retro-speed.co.uk

Vice Presidents Gwyndaf Evans, John Haughland, Malcolm Wilson

Chairman and Membership Shaun Martin Tel: 00 44 (0)1403 753425 Email: Shaunmartin8@gmail.com

Vice Chairman, Development Officer and Regalia

Steve Graham Tel: 00 44 (0)7831 350511 Email: brackenridge.spg@btinternet.com Alun Morgan Tel: 00 44 (0)1792 884713 Email: alunmorgan513@btinternet.com

International Development

Paul Parkinson Tel: 00 44 (0)77889 71388 Email: qparqy@hotmail.com

Kristof Denaeghel Tel: 00 32 476 22 10 83 Email: kristof.denaeghel@skynet.be

Secretary

Magazine Editors

Tony Graham Tel: 00 44 (0)1429 260565 Email: tony.graham@delan.co.uk

Email: IRDCeditors@gmail.com

Sub Editor at large!

Martin Sharp

Treasurer Liz Jordan 00 44 (0)1622 880566 Email: lizjordan@btinternet.com

Media Officer Ken Davies Tel: 00 44 (0)75324 77192 Email: kendavies924@yahoo.co.uk

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ADVERTISING You can now advertise in the new look quarterly magazine IRDC Quattro.

A full page is just ÂŁ350 and covers 8 issues (2 years) at just ÂŁ43.75 per issue!

Contact us now IRDCeditors@gmail.com Tel: 01342 891486

Produced by:

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TWELVE GO MAD IN MONTE CARLO Chair Shaun Martin followed the IRDC famous 12 as they tackled a snowy Monte Historique However a day later they were loaded onto a ferry, arrived in Messina and then took a road trip to Athens, where, after a spanner check and service at Ford Athens they were ready to start.

David Stanley in car 46, his lovely Triumph TR4, started from Milan. It’s a new car for Monaco resident David, but he retains co-driver Bernard Northmore.

Six crews started from Glasgow: car 173 John Roberts /Oliver Tomlins, Fiat 124, car 190 Gordon and David Glen, Opel Kadett GTE, car 192 Chris Mockride/John Varney, Austin A40,

En-route to Monte Carlo

O

n the club’s 50th anniversary, this year’s Monte-Carlo Historique was always going to be special.

Stephen Graham once again put together IRDC Team GB for the event.

Twelve crews, ranging from novices through to returning stalwarts competed for the prestigious Tyresoles Trophy (originating in 1955).

Crews started from Glasgow, Reims, Athens and Milan, while Xerxes Matten and Clifford Debono in car 12 headed from Monaco to the Athens Start. The ferry to Sicily was cancelled, so they missed the second ferry from Bari to Patra.

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David Stanley/Bernard Northmore, Triumph TR4, finished 148th car 222 Ritson Thomas/Ross, Thomas Lancia Fulvia 1600HF, car 279 Ranald White/Karsten Brown Rover 2000SC and car 292 Andy James/Keith Woodburn in their stunning Mk2 Jaguar.

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dramas included, a stolen rally plate from one of the competing cars, plus a major accident on the M25 closed the motorway.

None of this deterred the crews getting to the ferry on time.

The route through France on Friday evening/Saturday morning was to the usual passage control in Langres. Crews then headed via Bar-sur-Aube, ChambĂŠry and on to Buis-Le-Baronnies.

Xervex Matten/Clifford Debono, Ford Escort RS1600, finished 134th The remaining crews started from Reims: car 172 Jon Miles/Christine Miles Porsche 356B, car 174 John Wynn/Karsten Hegal MGB, car 193 Clive Berry/Rupert Barker, Chrysler Sunbeam TI. The crew of car 78 ─ Steve and Tony Graham had to pull their entry the night for personal reasons; a difficult decision as Steve and Tony had put so much into organising IRDC Team GB.

Milan starters set off at 18:00 on Friday with a forecast of heavy snow en-route to the concentration rendezvous point at Bourgoin-Jallieu, where the crews had time to service and take 40-winks.

This year Reims started in front of the Cathedral - a stunning backdrop for the start ramp. It was shown live on French TV. John Wynn;s MGB had early electrical problems, soon rectified by the support crew.

Setting off from Paisley on the Glasgow crews overnighted on Wednesday at Barnaby Moor before hitting Calais on Thursday night.

They met with the Reims starters south of Reims on Friday night. Chris Mockridge and John Varney suffered early dramas when their garage was broken into the night before and their wheels and tyres were stolen, undeterred they set about getting replacements delivered en-route. Other

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John and Christine Miles, Porsche 356B, finished 117th Athens starters set off at lunchtime Wednesday, driving through Thursday and Friday before meeting other competitors at Bourgoin-Jallieu.

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deteriorated and crews had to exercise caution. The next section to La Motte has similar conditions to the previous ‘ZR’ [regularity zone] before the Crest passage control.

There was a PC at Crest due to a ‘Yellow Jacket’ demonstration in the centre of Valence. National Police shut the centre of the city, which resembled a war zone. This reopened at 21:00 on Saturday.

John Wynn/Karsten Hagel, MGB, finished 228th Tripys were fitted at Buis-Le-Baronnies.

It’s an electronic device; a tracker that knows where competing cars are at all times. It also records time logs in regularity sections.

Timekeepers also record start and finish times, while along the stage the Tripy has virtual ‘check’ points at which times are taken. There are points for being faster or slower at that point. To get as close to zero points is the plan. Points are totalled and the crew nearest to zero points is the winner.

Reports of patchy black ice and damp conditions came in before leaving Buis-Le -Baronnies for the section to Montauban sur l’Ouveze.

There was heavy snow on the Col de Perty but early cars went through without studs. later conditions Page 8

Gordon and David Glen, Opel Kadett GTE, placed 150th Earlier organisers had the presence of mind to move the entire parc fermé from the usual Champ de Mars to the football stadium at the Stadt George Pompidou Confusion reigned leaving Crest and several crews received penalties which they would not recover from. The highest placed IRDC crew was David IRDC Quattro

Stanley and Bernard Northmore’s TR4, in a credible 25th place overall.

Sunday was a loop from Valence through the Ardèche mountains for four ZRs and back in to Valance that evening. As the crews drove out to ZR3 La Croze, 43 km from Valance there were reports of reported patchy ice and snow. It was certainly going to be interesting.

Car 173 John Roberts/Oliver Thomlins; retired due to a misfire, lack of compression and other engine gremlins.

Their chase vehicle was ill too, so it was time to call it a day.

As snowfall continued ZR4 was cancelled so cars went to the PC at St. Agrève. Then organisers, having learned of a snow plough falling off the road and

Ranald White/Karsten Brown, Rover 2000SC, top placed IRDC crew in 111th place getting stuck, made the very difficult decision to cancel the final two ZRs, five and six, of the day.

Crews headed back to Valence football stadium. The traditional Team meal at Café Victor Hugo on Sunday evening was well attended by 34 members; great food, great wine and a friendly atmosphere.

During the evening came news that the Andy and Keith’s Mk2 Jag had a loose sparking plug with damaged thread.

Without a repair the car was going no further so a local engineering company fitted a helicoil. Another crew to call it a day due to mechanical woes was the car 222 Ritson & Ross Thomas, Lancia Fulvia 1600HF.

Chris Mockride/John Varney, Austin A40, retired IRDC Quattro

Monday’s new loop was out to the east of Valence into the Alps. The first ZR of the day was after a 65.77km run out to Col Gaudissart. There was so much snow that the ice note team could not arrive in time to complete the stage.

Crews eventually got to the start in whiteout conditions and completed the ZR. The next one was ZR8 Col de Page 9

Andy James/Keith Woodburn, Jaguar Mk2, retired l'Arzelier and the highest placed crew through here were Xerxes Matten and Clifford Debono, who only gave 150 points away to the crew who were number one. In perspective, the last crew on the ZR went through in 277th position and a lost a whopping 30,000 points!

ZR9 Chichilianne was cancelled through excessive snow, and crews were very tight on time to the checkpoint at Clelles. They diverted over La Croix-Haute, turning right on to the D539 towards the next PC in St,. Jean.

Extra precision was needed as many cars all wanted the same minute.

As the IRDC crews went through ZR10 Cimetière de Vassieux, for some reason their timing kit was not recording times.

While some reverted back to original speed tables, others used pre-populated tables and some ‘String with knots in’ (that is a whole story to be told elsewhere). It wasn’t until the crews got back to Valence they would get to know their position.

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Crews left Valence for the final time on Tuesday, heading for Monte-Carlo through the mountains and on to the Alpes Maritime. Earlier, the ice note crew reported minus four Celsius and mainly ice in ZR11 Saint Nazaire le Désert. Hence studded tyre choices were a good choice. Clive Berry and Chris Mockridge had trip meter issues so reverted to GPS and mobile technology.

Arriving at ZR12, Verclause there were freezing temperatures, black ice and intermittent dry patches. The crew of Talbot Sunbeam, car 193 had an airborne deviation on this selective yet stayed wheels down!

There were freezing conditions in ZR13 Entrevaux, then crews drove towards the coast to a holding control at La Turbie before the run down in to parc fermé on the Quai Albert 1er where cars would be parked up in magnificent splendour. It was also great to know that the spark plug repair on the Mk2 Jaguar enabled Andy and Keith to make it down to the Principality. Cars and crews would now have a rest until later in the evening when they would do the last two ‘Les Zones de test de régularité’.

The Historic Monte can be won and lost on these final night cols. There are so many hairpins it becomes hard to get a clean points run. This year snow and ice made it even harder. It has become known as the ‘night of the long knives; and was very close between the IRDC crews higher up the order. As one of the crews said; ‘The Tyresoles Trophy will be a close-run thing tonight. Still worth IRDC Quattro

fighting for’.

The final two ZRs were ZR14 Col de Braus at 35km which included the infamous Col de Turini ─ this year with snow for approximately five kilometres up and down. Solid ice at lower levels appeared between the two hours of going up and coming down.

As the Austin A40 left Monte-Carlo for the final loop it suffered catastrophic and total brake failure, retiring on safety grounds. Yet they were classified as a finisher as they got the car back to parc fermé.

The final ZR15 Lantosque was another 20km selective that took in the Col de la Porte and Col Saint Roch and was to decide the winner of The Tyresoles Trophy. David Stanley/Bernard Northmore showed a strong drive from the start but it wasn’t to be this year, the overall winners where Ranald White/ Karsten Brown who finished 111, in a close second were Jon and Christine Miles who finished 117 only 800 points behind the winners. In third place were last year’s winners Xerxes Matten and

Clifford Debono in their RS1600. Well done to everyone who was part of IRDC Team GB. Full results are on: www.acm.mc The awards ceremony turned out to be a grand affair. Bernard Northmore kindly hosted a pre-dinner drinks reception in his suite at the Fairmont before we went to the awards ceremony at the Monaco Sporting Club. As usual, it did not disappoint and went on into the early hours, followed by a late night drink at the Tip-Top Bar and a casual walk back via the famous hairpin leading in to the tunnel.

Back in the early days of the club they put on a bus from England to MonteCarlo to take wives, girlfriends, family and luggage down to Monte-Carlo.

Shaun and Steven carried luggage for one of the competitors all the way down to the Principality. Also Steve and Tony Graham organised covered transport in the form of a lorry to get cars back to the UK, but some drove back to Scotland!

Until next year, Bon Voyage.

IRDC GB Team dinner at the Café Victor Hugo IRDC Quattro

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From Clacton to Barbados Robin Bradford compares two innovative rallies 4000 miles apart

The first Corbeau Seats Rally Tendring & Clacton, in 2018, was blessed with fantastic early spring sunshine

W

hen the inaugural Corbeau Seats Rally Tendring & Clacton brought the Essex peninsula alive last year, it marked the end of a marathon seven-year campaign led by Britain’s motor sport governing body, the Motor Sports Association, since renamed Motorsport UK. Long before the legislation to enable public roads to be closed for motor sport competitions had been enacted, Chelmsford Motor Club had been planning their event and, once the green light had been given, swift work by the Club and Tendring District Council allowed them to collectively write their names in the sport’s history books.

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Something over 4,000 miles away, the Barbados Rally Club has been running closed-road special stage rallies for rather longer. This year’s Sol Rally Barbados (May 31 – June 2) marks the 30th edition of the Club’s premier event and, while many readers might struggle to find similarities between the two locations, motor sport brings them closer together . . . not least through the concept of sports-tourism.

Some quick stats: Barbados, which pokes out in to the Atlantic from the Caribbean island chain, is 166 square miles, the population around 280,000 and the average year-round temperature Page 13

about 22 degrees C; Tendring is smaller (130 sq. m), with both population and average temperature around half (140,000, 10 degrees C). But they do have something in common – the importance of the tourist dollar.

As soon as entries for Clacton’s ground-breaking event opened on-line, a steady flow reached the maximum within hours, among them 20 or so drivers and co-drivers already familiar with Rally Barbados, most notably Kevin Procter and Andrew Roughead plus Tom Preston and Carl Williamson, in Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia R5 respectively. Apart from playing their role in motor sport history, there were sound reasons to head for the Tendring peninsula: the timing was good for a final shakedown just two weeks before their cars would ship from Dover to Barbados, and on an event with similar structure.

Brit, Kevin Proctor flies high on the Barbados lanes Following a pattern oft-seen in continental Europe, Clacton was organised in three loops of five stages, totalling around 14 miles each time before cars returned to the Service Park;

Spectators find the best vantage points on Sol Rally Barbados Page 14

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the shortest stage was 1.88 miles, the longest just under four miles. Barbados runs to an almost identical format, with short sharp stages linked by tight road sections, although it stretches from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon.

Procter finished third behind the Subaru Impreza WRC S12B of tarmac specialist Melvyn Evans – co-driver for the day Sean Hayde another Barbados regular – and Hugh Hunter and Rob Fagg in a

A novel viewpoint in Essex Fiesta WRC run by Evans; Preston was a class-winning sixth overall. Evans was impressed - “The stages are fast, there’s hairpins and fast corners, a good mix” while Procter, who rallies rarely in the UK between his Caribbean trips, had a bit of a wake-up call: “I got ambition and capability mixed up a few times.”

Clacton winner, Melvyn Evans, ponders a 40 limit sign!

As Jack Benyon (another past visitor to Barbados) wrote in his Motorsport News

The seafront at Clacton was a mecca for rally fans IRDC Quattro

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On Sol Rally Barbados, all the competition cars are on display at the pre-event rally show report: “Even the Clacton weather had something to rival the Caribbean�, and that certainly helped bring people out in their numbers, north of 6,000 spectators enjoying the baking temperatures and spending in local shops, hotels and hostelries. In another, entirely unexpected, nod to Barbados, stage-side residents moved furniture in to the garden and invited friends round, with coolers full of drinks & snacks or a tea urn on the go . . . some even invited marshals in for a quick cuppa between runs. And many drivers remarked on the number of fans out on road sections, waving as they passed.

pit-falls as possible and then concentrating on making the competition component work. And it did. With that under their belt, this year (April 27/28) sees a 20 per cent increase in stage mileage, a Saturday evening Ceremonial Start, Sunday afternoon Champagne Finish, plus a couple of big screens and live commentary. Don’t miss it!

Chelmsford MC had set the bar for its historic event at a manageable level by creating an event with as few potential Page 16

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GUS GREENSMITH ON PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL AND THE WRC, VIA KARTING Our probing Big Interview with Ken Davies in the inquisitors chair

I

t’s well known that those who perform at elite levels of success in international sport possess one thing in common: a unique single-minded focus which helps them achieve goals.

Fergus Greensmith – universally known as Gus – is no exception and for the past two seasons he’s been carving an impressive furrow in WRC 2 driving an M-Sport Fiesta R5. But what do we know about the personable 22-year old Mancunian? Quattro magazine caughtup with Gus just after the Swedish Rally Page 18

and, despite a frantic M-Sport schedule he allowed us some of his precious time while preparing for the next round of the World Rally Championship in Mexico.

After briefly playing for Manchester City academy as a goalkeeper, our versatile interviewee quit the legendary team in 2008 to begin a karting career, quickly progressing to Kart Stars and his first win. He then joined Velocity Motorsport in 2009 and did some British Championship races. In 2011 Gus moved into Junior Max and scored more IRDC Quattro

filming for Discovery TV and drove him in a Ford Fiesta.

Rally Poland 2015 DMACK Fiesta Trophy wins, coming to prominence in round three of the European Championship by dominating practice and qualifying.

For 2012, Gus competed in the CIK-FIA U18 World Karting Championship, finishing a creditable 19th out of 100 qualifiers, among whom were the cream of global karters including Charles Leclerc, Ben Barnicoat and Joey Mawson. Progressing to the Junior F100 for 2013 Gus scored podiums on every finish but missed out on wins due to mechanical issues and crashes.

Seamlessly changing motor sport disciplines to rallying for 2014, Gus became British Junior and Rally 3 Champion, winning the Pirelli Star Driver of the Year award. He also won the British Junior Rally Championship, taking five out of six wins and was invited to compete in the last round of the 2014 World Championship – Wales Rally GB – appearing on this rally again in 2015. As a pleasant aside, he teamed up with matinee idol Idris Elba for a documentary series that Elba was IRDC Quattro

In 2015, Gus became the youngest of 11 drivers in the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy, finishing sixth followed by fourth in the series the following year, also scoring a remarkable 12th in the 2016 WRGB. Full WRC 2 campaigns in 2017 and 2018 yielded 11th and fourth respectively, including ninth place overall on the 2018 Rally Mexico and his first World Rally Championship points.

So far driving the M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5 in 2019, Gus has scored a WRC 2 Pro win and seventh overall in extremely challenging conditions on the Monte-Carlo Rally. He then finished third on the Swedish Rally and currently leads WRC 2 Pro, all achieved with Elliott Edmondson co-driving.

Asked about his normal nine-to-five job Gus replies: “I feel very lucky to say being a WRC 2 Pro and a WRC driver for the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team is my nine-to--five job.” Currently single but in a happy relationship Gus lists his hobbies as anything to do with spending time with his four dogs and also road running.

Enjoy our interview with one of the up and coming young drivers of the World Rally Championship.

Q. How did you make your start in motor sport?

A. I started when I was 12 years old and progressed through the ranks of karting from National to World Championship level Page 19

Q. What has been the best moment of your career so far?

A. Winning Rallye-Monte Carlo Q. And the worst?

A. There’s been a few too many!

Q. What is your favourite event?

A. Rally De Portugal. Even more so in 2019 due to my WRC debut Q. What are your future motorsport plans?

A. Becoming a World Champion sounds like a good idea Q. Which competition car and driver impresses you the most?

A. Sébastien Loeb, because he is Sébastien Loeb and the M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC ‘17. Built on a restricted budget and built to kill giants. Put it in my hands and I’d plan to do something similar Q. What's the most entertaining event you’ve ever been involved in?

A. Rally Mexico – no question about that Q. What are your most effective personal assets?

A. Tunnel vision and confidence

Q. What advice would you give any aspiring driver or co-driver entering the sport?

A. Don’t rush, take everything one step at a time and show the utmost respect for your team and their efforts Q. Who has been your greatest motoring inspiration?

A. Sébastien Loeb Q. Congratulations, you’ve won the lottery, what car do you rush out and buy?

A. Jaguar Low Drag E-Type GT Q. Tell us something surprising about yourself?

A. I don’t like sharks!

Q. One final question please Gus – what will we find on your car CD and iPlayer?

A. A lot of shouty music and the sound of thunderstorms Our thanks to Gus for taking part in the interview and also to M-Sports’ Anna Rudd for arranging it

Corner cutting on challenging Monte Carlo Rally 2019 Page 20

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RECORD CROWD AT RACE RETRO IRDC Quattro was at Stoneleigh for a sunny historic motorsport show

Toivonen/White Lombard RAC Rally winning Talbot Sunbeam KKV 444V

B

lessed this year with early spring sunshine, the annual historic motor sport jamboree that is Race Retro took place again at the delightfully bucolic Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on February 22 to 24.

For the second year Motor Sport magazine was headline partner in a kaleidoscope of cars, clubs, racing and rally legends, This year the event attracted a record crowd of 24,000 visitors over three days.

Race Retro provides a unique mix of rally and racing cars as well as guests and personalities, including this year Page 22

British racing drivers John Watson and John Fitzpatrick along with Rauno Aaltonen, universally known as the ‘Rally Professor’. The Motor Sport Live Stage – always surrounded by knowledgeable enthusiasts – played host to Formula 1 engineer Frank Dernie, F1 racing pundit Tony Jardine and BTCC driver Anthony Reid to name just a few. The world of international rallying was well represented by Rosemary Smith, Russell Brookes, Jimmy McRae and Willy Cave.

On Saturday and Sunday, visitors were treated to two new Live Rally Stages IRDC Quattro

with an entry of over 120 Group B and WRC cars. The traditional Stoneleigh stage was forced to relocate this year due to the controversial HS2 project construction but the new layout proved equally as entertaining for the drivers and spectators.

Rauno Aaltonen was the first across the start line, reunited with the ex-works Mini Cooper he drove to third place in the 1963 Monte-Carlo Rally with current owner Patrick Walker as his co-driver, while Jimmy McRae lined-up in his late son Colin’s Subaru.

Meanwhile, inside Stoneleigh’s capacious exhibition halls, HERO/ERA Events provided training to over 150 novice rally crews looking to hone their skills and also offered ‘Arrive and Drive’ opportunities behind the wheel

of one of their classic fleet. Such is the current financial buoyancy of Historic Rallying!

This year marked the third anniversary of London-based Clarion Events adding ownership of Race Retro to its other motoring-themed exhibitions including the annual Classic Car Show at the NEC.

Event Director Lee Masters said: “This is the third year the show has been under Clarion Event’s ownership and to ‘buck the trend’ and increase the audience in the current climate is testament to all those who have helped and supported not only our vision for the much-loved event but their own passion for the future of Race Retro and historic motor sport.”

Rauno Aaltonen’s 1963 Monte-Carlo Mini Cooper; first on the new Race Retro stage IRDC Quattro

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For many visitors, a poignant show highlight was the minute-long standing ovation given in respect for Barrie ‘Whizzo’ Williams, the universally popular and versatile race and rally driver who died last September and had been a regular guest at Race Retro since it started.

For details of 2020 Race Retro visit www.raceretro.com

The way they were: Awesome Audi Quattro, above, Mini WRC and Group A Escort Cossie, below

IRDC Quattro IMPORTANT DATES

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ISSUE

Copy Deadline

Summer ‘19 Autumn ‘19 Winter ‘19 Spring ‘20

14th June 6th September 2nd December 18th January IRDC Quattro

MONTE MEANDERINGS Martin Sharp provides a Sisteron soliloquy and a tale of two Sébs

F

or the last three consecutive years two of us have spent the night before the Monte-Carlo Rally in Sisteron; simply because it is a tad closer to rally HQ in the Alpine town of Gap than our ‘traditional’ modern Monte base.

Gap is to be avoided. And full-up anyway when the iconic rally hits town.

Our regular place of restauration and sleep during the rally these days is down the road apiece from Gap; not cheap but rather special, so I won’t mention it.

Yet Sisteron is closer to Gap... and in January is seriously closed ─ and cold when the sun goes down; often even when it’s up.

On our first visit, three years ago, fuelled by pastis and vins blanc et rouge, we searched out a reasonable restaurant at which to eat later.

The town was dead. As a Dodo. At temperatures around, and probably below, zero degrees centigrade.

Few people wandered about, and the only place with lights alit was the biggest hotel in town, which was welcoming rally marshals and their Dacias for the following day’s stage.

Striding to the illumination with as much vigour as we could muster under the circumstances, we were appalled to note that said hostelry did not have an open bar, nor restaurant.

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Back out in the open cold we saw a newly illuminated sign across the square. It advertised a combined pizza house and proper restaurant.

We dashed to the door, were welcomed to two seats on a four-place table occupied by one other bloke…

Who was a Brit, having travelled on his own to watch the rally in his Golf VR6; wifey having given approval, of sorts.

He’d been sleeping in the car, and had decided to give himself a treat in the restaurant before his serious cheese ’n’ bread, freezing under a duvet rally watching started.

Great company, good vibe; it set a trend.

So last year we again went to Sisteron first.

During more pastis, wine and beers we booked a table at the same place as the guy opened it up around 19:00.

They remembered us; again food was good… and we gleefully accepted an extra litre of house red on the house.

So, we returned to Sisteron just before the beginning of this year’s Monte. Staying in the same hotel with slightly less parking hassle, our favourite bar had not changed… but, like the town; that earlier rezzie was dead.

It was January in the Alps; no other place seemed to be open.

Our appetites were appeased however when IRDC Quattro

It was cold, icy and snowy on Monte-Carlo this year we ─ shiveringly ─ came across another place nearby.

both hers and the boss’s were there in the pizzaman’s face…

Which was open! And serving.

Then I sussed it; almost certainly the earlier rezzie/pizza place had gone bust and mum and dad had helped out.

Diving inside among a fair proportion of the 7,400-odd Sisteron residents brave enough to venture out we ordered a litre of red and our food, which both came impressively swiftly, courtesy of the chef and the waitress, who had facial similarities...

There was an out-of-context composite ‘sculptured’ head of [probably] Egyptian Queen Nefertiti on the bar. I checked-out the demeanour of the elder guy behind the bar… yep; the eyes have it; definitely an Arab, quite likely of some long-standing Egyptian nature.

Then my mind turned to the ‘lad’ making the pizzas. He was surely the barman’s son, and hadn’t he been making the pizzas in the previous, now closed, place?

For sure he had.

So I checked-out the waitress’s features ─ IRDC Quattro

Great stuff, particularly as the food ─ and wine, of course; we were in the High Alps ─ was good, That my sleep-deprived compatriot colleague nearly headbanged his empty tagliatelle dish attempting not to fall asleep at the table ─ perhaps my conversation had not been as riveting as I thought ─ is irrelevant of course.

If, in hindsight, not a little humorous...

Yet seeing that used tagliatelle dish whooshed away rapidly in a most polite fashion by a very concerned mum/waitress before the head made contact tells you a lot about the place.

He managed to stay awake by the way...

It’s Le Bistrot de la Mairie: a great place; well-run, Just by the town square.

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SÉBASTIEN: WHAT’S IN A NAME?

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ix Monte-Carlo Rally WRC victories in recent on the trot succession in three different rally cars is a remarkable record. But Gap’s favourite son, the current world rally champion, won his first Monte in 2009 when it was a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. That was in yet another different rally car... seven victories on the iconic event in four different rally cars so far marks Sébastien Ogier as truly a stunning rally driver.

This year, on his first rally in a Citroën C3 WRC, Séb headed into the Monte’s final power stage with a rally lead of just 0.4 seconds ahead of his arch-rival Thierry Neuville in a Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC.

Ogier’s throttle sensor was intermittently playing up for the entire final leg, the fly-by-wire system retaining 20% open throttle randomly; thereby creating entirely unpredictable braking.

He had just mobile phone contact with Citroën Racing engineers, yet managed to reduce the ’sticking’ throttle to 10%: “It wasn't perfect, but it gave me a chance to fight in the power stage,” said Séb, “We know now it’s a sensor that’s gone crazy, but I didn't know if the thing would break completely,” he said later, also adding that he had been unsure whether he would make it through that final leg.

Séb Ogier undertakes yet another interview Page 28

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On the first splits of the 13.58km final stage he was down on Neuville yet, true to form he got his head down and simply went for it in the last sections… and won the rally by 2.2 seconds. The mark of a champion.

It must not be forgotten either that the Citroën was the ugly sister of the new World Rally Cars when the latest regs appeared in 2017, Chassis unpredictability baffled drivers, forcing then-new team boss Pierre Budar to summarily dismiss northern Irish driver Kris Meeke; the only guy brave enough to grab the C3 WRC by the horns and get results… yet when the chassis bit back the accidents were big; so they sacked him.

Meeke’s back now this year in a Hyundai.

He won this year’s Monte power stage by an incredible four seconds [considering the competitiveness at the top of the WRC

these days] ─ simply by conserving his tyres. Five points for him. Hyundai led the manufacturers’ championship. Job done.

Then there was the other Séb, the ninetimes WRC champion: the little master; Loeb.

Having jetted back from an ─ entirely meritorious for a private entrant ─ third place on the south American ‘Dakar’, he had just 200km over two days testing to acclimatise himself to the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC. It was the first time he had driven it, and he changed the car settings to suit his driving style during the entire Monte.

And came fourth.

We thought last year was close... but boy, this is heading-up to be a very interesting world rally championship season.

Séb on his way to victory IRDC Quattro

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WRC Headlines at Autosport International Ken Davies took a trip to Birmingham

The 2019 World Rally Championship is launched in front of an adoring crowd

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efreshed this year by switching halls at Birmingham’s capacious NEC, Autosport International delivered its traditional ingredients to satisfy every taste and persuasion in the motor sport community. Appropriately, the keynote anniversary celebrated this year was 30 years of the McLaren-Autosport BRDC Award, a successful collaboration that has promoted young British talent since its first recipient – David Coulthard – won in 1989.

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This year’s glittering four-day motor sports show was dominated by Super Saturday, when the World Rally Championship used the occasion to launch its 2019 campaign to the world at a stand constantly engulfed in an unrivalled throng of rally enthusiasts.

Later, a WRC Driver’s parade culminated at the Autosport Stage and resulted in some insightful driver and team principal interviews.

On show to the public were some new Page 31

permutations of crews and teams, including Kris Meeke’s much awaited return with title favourites Toyota Gazoo – complete with his new co-driver, Seb Marshall. Also smiling for the cameras were reigning champion Sébastien Ogier, now back at Citroën and Elfyn Evans, team leader elect at M-Sport team with Scott Martin now reading his pace notes. It could be my imagination but the top-flight crews seemed a lot more amenable and approachable this year, ready to chat with fans and sign autographs.

Later in the media centre, Evans and Martin played a light-hearted game of the TV series ‘Mr and Mrs’ for a film crew and some of the answers they wrote on their boards were surprising:

Q. ‘Who’s got the best sense of humour?

Both agree Scott Q. ‘Who can change a wheel quickest?

Both disagree and say ‘me’ Q. ‘Who’s the smartest?’

Both disagree and say ‘him’ Other rally features of the show were prominent displays from the Dayinsure Wales Rally GB and the British Rally Championship.

Silverstone Auctions made its debut as the event’s new auction partners, offering several newsworthy lots including what was described as a ‘faithful tribute to the Vic Elford and David Stone 2-litre Porsche 911’ that finished the 1967 Monte in third position

Evans and Martin are asked ‘who can change a wheel quickest?’

Both answer; ‘Me’!

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behind Aaltonen/Liddon’s Cooper S and Andersson/Davenport’s Lancia Fulvia 1.3 HF. The red 911 went unsold. Also on the card was the 1973 Porsche 911E driven by Peter Bowden on the 1993 London to Sydney Marathon. The white 911 has an interesting provenance; first registered by AFN Ltd as official demonstrator of the newly announced '911 E'. With no reserve, the well-used 911 was knocked-down for a bargain £28,125 – sans engine.

Added into the NEC mix were the awesome Formula 1, WEC and BTCC

Unsung hero; six-time WRC champion co-driver Julien Ingrassia with 45 championship rally victories

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Seb Marshall and Kris Meeke launch their Toyota campaign displays, almost continual driver interviews, race simulators aplenty, the high-speed and sideways activities of the Live Action Arena and the Trade, Engineering and Industry Hall. Visitors can be forgiven for not knowing where to start. At the end of a very long day I’d just about managed to find my way around the five-halls format without the map.

All considered, Autosport International has to be adjudged an essential expo for the thriving motor sport industry and another success for the Autosport Media UK Motorsport Network.

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OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE OLD! Our reporter made the journey to the Victorian seaside town of Llandudno for round one of the British Rally Championship

Top three BRC crews in Llandudno

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eigning British Rally Champion Matt Edwards started the new season as he’d finished the old, by taking a sensational win on the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally. Along with his new co-driver Patrick Walsh, the M-Sport driver won the opening round in fine style with victory on the Llandudno-based event by 26.5 seconds. David Bogie, 2011 BRC Champion brought his Skoda Fabia R5 into second while Marty McCormack drove his similar machine to third overall.

The 2019 British Rally Championship got underway on February 16 with the spectacular Cambrian Rally providing the exciting season curtain raiser. New for 2019 was the Service Park, at the heart of Llandudno town centre – bringing Britain’s premier rallying series closer to the shops and cafés of the picturesque Victorian seaside resort. From the town centre start, the BRC crews ventured into 10 legendary Welsh forestry stages, with 60 competitive miles throwing down the opening round gauntlet.

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Defending champion Edwards had clinched the 2018 title on Wales Rally GB and was looking to clinch his first Cambrian Rally win and get his defence up and running.

The Welshman wasn’t the quickest on the first stage, with that honour going to David Bogie, the Scotsman determined to take the fight to Edwards. However, Edwards was not going to be beaten in his own backyard and on stage two he took the lead on the Alwen test. Then the North Wales-based driver took a further seven fastest stage times to eventually return to Llandudno town centre to spray champagne.

After rolling out of the first round last year Bogie was determined to start this season successfully. The Flying Scotsman strung a solid day together behind the wheel of the Skoda and claimed a fine second place after a ding-dong battle with Tom Cave, returning to the BRC in a Michelin-shod Hyundai i20 R5 after a year’s absence.

On his home BRC event, Tom pushed both previous champions to the limit and traded times with Bogie in the fight for the rostrum positions. Going into the night stages Cave trailed Bogie but turned the tables after the first test under moonlight. However, disaster was to strike the Welshman on the final stage and two punctures dropped the Hyundai driver down the order. With no more spares in the car, Cave and co-driver Dale Bowen were forced to retire, unable to even make it back to the Page 35

Llandudno finish.

Marty McCormack and new co-driver in the BRC, Barney Mitchell were in a solid fourth all event and profited from the misfortunes of Cave to take the final podium in their Skoda Fabia R5 on the final stage – making it a lock-out for Pirelli tyres and McCormack’s first BRC podium since the Scottish Rally in 2017.

Series returnees Desi Henry and Liam Moynihan in their Skoda Fabia R5 made a welcome comeback and took fourth while 2018 Irish Tarmac Champion Josh Moffett clinched fifth. Junior BRC category winner was James Wilson in 12th overall, followed by William Creighton 13th and Marty Gallagher 14th – all Peugeot 208mounted.

Round two of the BRC is on the fast and uncompromising tarmac of West Cork.

Based in Clonakilty in the Republic of Ireland the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork Rally runs on 16-17th March 2019.

BRC Driver Standings 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Matt Edwards David Bogie Marty McCormack Desi Henry Josh Moffett Meirion Evans Brendan Cumiskey Thomas Preston Alex Laffey James Wilson

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25 18 15 12 10 8 6 4 2 1

WRC initiative for BRC Junior Fiesta runners in 2019

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he British Rally Championship, in collaboration with M-Sport Poland and Pirelli, is offering the highest placed Fiesta R2T runner in the Junior BRC an exciting opportunity to step into the FIA Junior WRC Championship. Britain’s premier rallying series is a well-known proving ground for rallying stars and recent BRC graduates include Elfyn Evans, Jari-Matti Latvala, Kris Meeke as well as co-drivers Scott Martin and Sebastian Marshall, who are all now at the top of the sport.

The latest prize is open to all Fiesta R2T drivers competing in the 2019 Junior BRC. The top driver after six rounds in a Pirellishod M-Sport machine will receive a €30,000 voucher from each company [€60,000 total] to put towards a full campaign in the 2020 FIA Junior WRC Championship – or similar M-Sport Poland Pirelli series in the WRC – made payable on an event-by-event basis.

The same €60,000 prize offering will continue into the 2020 British Junior Championship. Next year, the exciting Junior series for drivers aged 26 and under will switch to a Pirelli-backed, one-make M-Sport Ford Fiesta R2T competition, making it the perfect stepping stone to the WRC. IRDC Quattro

M-Sport and Pirelli are both dedicated when it comes to creating opportunities for talented young drivers. And with similar schemes already confirmed in Finland, Estonia and Italy, it was important to introduce them here in the British Rally Championship – where so many great rally drivers started their careers. This year, Wales Rally GB is chosen as the final round of the FIA Junior WRC Championship – bringing the Junior drivers to one of the world’s most iconic events, also allowing the young British drivers to judge their pace against those fighting for the FIA Junior WRC crown.

BRC Manager Iain Campbell enthused: “We are very excited to be working with WRC giants M-Sport and Pirelli. The BRC has long been the springboard for drivers

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and co-drivers to make that step-up to the higher echelons of the sport. As well as a secured spot on the 2020 JWRC entry list, we also understand the financial implications for young drivers trying to progress their careers and by working with M-Sport and Pirelli, the €60,000 prize fund is another massive boost. It will go a long way in giving the winner that helping hand.

We’re pleased the relationship will also extend into the 2020 series where the Junior BRC will become, like the Junior WRC a one-make Fiesta category. This will enable drivers to get themselves up to speed with the latest products from the blue oval – making that step to the global series a seamless and less daunting transition”

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2019 WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP – THE STORY SO FAR Icy Monte-Carlo, snowy Sweden and… hot and dusty Mexico!

Our man in the anorak, bobble hat and t-shirt Ken Davies reports

Jari-Matti Latvala’s Toyota Yaris delights spectators with smokin’ Mexican donuts [seems the FIA didn’t find them ‘appropriate’… ?]

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he 2019 WRC season opened in January on the fringes of the sunny Mediterranean.

Here, the cliché; 'you make your own luck', has never been more appropriate: as Sébastien Ogier proved by holding off a pursuing Thierry Neuville in difficult and constantly-changing road conditions to win the 87th Monte-Carlo Rally, Ogier's seventh Monte-Carlo Rally win and sixth in a row.

However, it was also the narrowest Monte victory in history and the final 2.2 second margin illustrated just how close had been Page 38

the battle between the six-time champion and Neuville, with the Hyundai driver never more than 5.8 seconds in arrears on Saturday or Sunday. Early rally leader Ott Tänak salvaged third place with a storming run, having dropped to seventh when he was forced to change a puncture on SS7.

Nine-time champion Sébastien Loeb – returning to the WRC with Hyundai – took two stage wins on Friday thanks to an inspired tyre choice and, a consistent run on Saturday saw him finish fourth after consolidating his advantage over Latvala, IRDC Quattro

was quick to dedicate his success to his mentor and fellow countryman Markko Märtin.

Kris Meeke has made a strong start to the season who finished in fifth. Making his WRC comeback with Toyota, Kris Meeke ended up sixth but his eventual deficit of 5m36.2s to Ogier did not accurately reflect his pace in the Yaris, second after Thursday evening's first stage before a puncture compromised his position and a wheel-rim issue struck, costing more than three minutes in one go. To his credit, the northern Irishman got his head down and also picked up an additional five points for winning the Powerstage.

Fast forward two weeks later to Rally Sweden and Ott Tänak displayed great virtuosity by balancing his Toyota Yaris on the challenging snow and ice-covered tracks to score a comprehensive 53.7 second win on the second round of the FIA World Rally Championship, carrying him to a seven-point lead in the standings.

Tänak led the four-day event early on but slipped back on Friday, only to inherit a comfortable half-minute lead that he then extended to almost a minute after closest rivals Ogier and Suninen spun off into snow banks. His victory made the Estonian only the fourth non-Scandinavian driver to win WRC’s only pure winter rally and he IRDC Quattro

In second place was Esapekka Lappi, just three seconds ahead of Thierry Neuville’s Hyundai, despite Lappi’s Citroen surviving a monster fifth gear spin on Friday when he almost rolled. Behind the top three there was a four-way battle for final top-six positions and Andreas Mikkelsen provided Hyundai with some valuable championship points in fourth place, just 2.8 seconds ahead of Elfyn Evans’ M-Sport Fiesta, fifth following an inconsistent weekend. Fellow Briton Kris Meeke completed the top six in his Yaris after repeatedly fending off nine -time WRC champion Sébastien Loeb, struggling to match his pace notes to the daunting stages.

Across the Atlantic to Leȯn and the third round of the 2019 championship – Rally Mexico where one of the major challenges for crews was again the choking dust but it was the same for everyone. That said, cruising imperiously into the final day with a 27-second lead over Elfyn Evans, Citroën’s Séb Ogier took victory from Ott Tänak – who had passed Evans on the loop -opening Alfaro test to finish 19.7s ahead of the Welshman; who completed the podium.

Ogier also grabbed Power Stage victory from Kris Meeke by the narrowest 0.025s margin to end with 30.2s overall in-hand over Tänak and secure the maximum 30 championship points, thereby moving up to second in the standings on 61 points, four behind leader Tänak, on 65.

Neuville finished a distant fourth in Mexico Page 39

while collecting three bonus points for third on the Power Stage, but he now lies 10 points adrift of Tänak in the championship.

Following tyre and wheel issues, Kris Meeke, completed the Mexican top five after coasting through the morning stages to save his tyres for the Power Stage, which yielded the Toyota driver four useful bonus points.

Thiery Neuville lies in third after three rounds

Local Guanajuato driver Benito Guerra scored his first WRC2 win on home soil with sixth overall in his Skoda Fabia R5 amid high attrition in the top class.

Jari-Matti Latvala, who’d retired with alternator failure on Friday and returned under Rally 2, lost out to WRC2 driver Marco Bulacia Wilkinson in a fight over seventh place, Latvala’s Yaris finishing with its radiator sealed with glue and its front bumper missing.

As a result, Latvala collected a 40 second penalty due to the emergency repairs forcing him to check-out late from the regroup. Hyundai’s Dani Sordo finished ninth after returning from Friday retirement to pick-up two bonus points for fourth on the Power Stage, with Ricardo Trivino completing the top 10 in his Fabia R5.

DRIVERS’ - After 3 of 14 rounds 1. Ott Tänak 2. Sébastien Ogier 3. Thierry Neuville 4. Kris Meeke 5. Elfyn Evans 6. Esapekka Lappi 7. Sébastien Loeb 8. Jari-Matti Latvala 9. Andreas Mikkelsen 10. Benito Guerra 11. Gus Greensmith 12. Marco Bulacia

65 61 55 35 28 20 18 14 12 8 6 6

MANUFACTURERS’ 1.

2.

3.

4.

Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Citroën Total WRT Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT M-Sport Ford WRT

86 78 77 45

Ott Tänak has been fast and consistent thus far Page 40

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QUICKTEST – the Nissan LEAF Editor-at-large Ken Davies has 72 hours with an all-electric vehicle

Stylish 2019 hatchback profile with privacy glass

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he international Formula E racing championship is into its fourth season and last year the FIA rubber-stamped a general switch to electric cars, also producing a technical template for a new-look rallycross championship. In addition, a Renault Zoe recently made history after becoming the first electric car to compete in a car rally. In truth though, most carmakers are still about two years away from launching their first 100% electric cars so it’s amazing that Nissan has already launched its second generation LEAF.

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This latest super-stylish iteration proved a pleasant drive with instant torque and fast, smooth acceleration from its 100% electric motor. Nissan claims the five-seater hatchback provides more user confidence and with battery location giving a low centre of gravity, road holding is good; if a tad firm. That said, the main barrier to electric cars remains – range. It’s not the car for people want to rack-up 500 miles in a day without incurring costly time penalties for stopping to recharge at least four times!

It’s five years since I tested a LEAF – Europe’s 2018 top selling electric vehicle

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with sales of 250,000 – when its fullycharged range was 120 miles.

Now Nissan has extended that range to 168 miles but it’s exponentially factored-down by speed, terrain and even the electrical gizmos being used. During my three-day tenure I had a 120-mile motorway journey, but once cruising at motorway speeds the battery life was falling disproportionally to miles covered, so on arrival at my destination I found a fast-charging station to be confident of completing my return journey without running out of battery.

However, this recharging process was

Electric motor with petrol engine looks relatively painless and simple to initiate, even for an inexperienced EV driver like me.

The LEAF can be home charged from a special charging post – £500 installed – or a 13 amp domestic plug and averages four hours at 7kWh for a half-charged battery.

The cost of a full charge is £3.64 but some supermarkets and car parks provide free charging points, especially in London. The Blink EV network of fast charging stations costs between 30p and 60p per kWh. Nissan is also installing more high-power DC chargers, in fact it already has twice as many across Europe as Tesla has Superchargers, but with shorter range than a Tesla you’d need to visit them more often during a journey. The LEAF’s battery

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Great driver ergonomics longevity is estimated at eight years or 100,000 miles and Nissan’s warranty covers this quantum.

Fundamentally the LEAF is simple to use with its Intelligent Key in purse or pocket.

Just press the brake and push the power button before popping the stubby gear lever into D and you’re away. No need to release the electric handbrake, it’s done automatically, although I’m not sure I like that last innovation. On the road the frontmounted 148 bhp electric motor, powered by a 40kWh battery, takes the LEAF from 0 to 62 mph in a very respectable 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph. At low speed, four cameras provide a virtual 360˚ bird’s-eye view, plus selectable split-screen close-ups of the front, rear and kerbside, which along with object sensors make tight manoeuvres easy. There’s also a ProPilot Parking system to do the hard work for you. No hands, no feet – just press the button and parking is a spectator sport.

The impressive 435 litre boot is five litres bigger than that of a Nissan Qashqai – rarely criticised for its lack of space.

Spelt with capital letters, Nissan explains that LEAF is a descriptive acronym Page 43

representing ‘Leading Environmentally friendly Affordable Family vehicle’. The top-end Techna model has LED headlights, black leather interior, heated seats and steering wheel, an electronic parking brake, and a great quality seven-speaker BOSE sound system. All this and Nissan's ProPilot semi-autonomous driving mode, maintaining speed and distance from the vehicle in front while also keeping the car within the lane markings. It also lets you know if you need to slow down and will

Easy battery charging developing a realistic level of confidence. It also seemed unnatural to have the steering wheel move of its own accord whilst loosely held in my hands and put my trust the automatic distance detector keeping me off the car in front.

Likes – great styling, nice ride, low wind-noise, seamless 0-60 mph acceleration, audible speed-camera alert.

Full five-seater apply the brakes to help avoid a collision, minimize an impact or detect an object, such as a pedestrian or large object in the road.

Nissan’s e-Pedal system, allows you to accelerate and decelerate in a single, seamless movement. Just release the accelerator for automatic regenerative braking and depress again for acceleration.

If you ever need a more immediate stop there’s still a familiar brake pedal.

However, I never fully exploited these two innovations and I’d certainly want more experience with the ProPilot before

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Dislikes – Limited range, touch-screen bluetooth and sat-nav operation, handbrake over-ride.

The price of the LEAF Techna as tested is £31,500.00, less a £3,500.00 government grant. Range notwithstanding, the British built LEAF will certainly turn more drivers towards environmentally acceptable eco-green EVs but residual values are low.

In addition, Nissan has just abandoned its battery leasing scheme, which is a pity as the cost of replacing a battery was as expensive as buying a used EV. There again, prices of lithium-ion batteries have fallen steeply as production scale increases and manufacturers develop more cost-effective methods.

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HOSPICE TO BENEFIT FROM DÉJÀ VU DONEGAL On August 30 ─ 31, Déjà Vu Motorsport will bring another of its rally reunion extravaganzas to the friendliest of all rally lands – Donegal

Co-organiser Dr Beatty Crawford (left) with Cathal Curley in a Porsche 911 at the event launch

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he designated charity chosen for this edition is the Donegal Hospice. In January its Chairperson Grace Boyle attended the Déjà Vu launch of the event in Letterkenny and said:

Tyndall, former Donegal Rally Press Officer and Producer of the RPM television programmes, and Dr. Beatty Crawford, former international rally navigator and Circuit of Ireland winner, explained:

“We are delighted to have been chosen as the beneficiary from this spectacular event which will bring so many former Donegal International Rally winners, competitors and their cars back to The Hills for the parade through the classic Donegal rally stages.”

“Our Dèjà Motorsport events have visited Killarney, Belfast and Sicily, raising over €100,000 for deserving charities. There is none more deserving than the Donegal Hospice so we are delighted to be bringing this event to the most friendly rallying county in the land.”

Dèjà Vu Motorsport organisers Alan (Plum) IRDC Quattro

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Cathal Curley and a Porsche 911 similar to the one the Derryman drove to victory in one of his three wins which kicked off the event in 1972, ’73 and ’74, was present at the launch to announce the outline format of the two-day event.

An anticipated gathering of over 130 crews will assemble on30 ─ 31 August to reacquaint themselves with their Donegal rallying heroes and many of the fabulous cars that were driven at high speed through ‘The Hills’. However this time will be a more leisurely tour over many of the stages that made the Donegal International Rally a ‘must do’ event over the years.

The event will open on Friday evening with Registration and a Welcome Reception.

On Saturday the 120-mile route will take in many of the famous special stages

including Glen, Knockalla, Atlantic Drive and Ramelton.

Jackson’s Hotel in Ballybofey has been chosen as the event headquarters and the weekend of memories will climax with a Gala Dinner with top level entertainment and personality interviews.

Registration opened on February 1 2019 on the RPM website: www.rpm-motorsport.com, when participants can take advantage of reduced ‘early-bird’ registration rates until May 1.

For further details contact: Alan (Plum) Tyndall.

Tel: 0044 7887827150 e-mail: alan@rpm-motorsport.com

BRYAN BROPHY It is with sadness that the IRDC reports the passing of Bryan Brophy, who over many years encompassed everything that was good about motor sport worldwide.

In Bryan’s case that could be as: a Competitor where he was renowned for his exploits in Hillman Imps and Modsports, or as a stalwart from the early origins of Galway Motor Club where he was Hon Treasurer, to the ultimate heady heights of serving on the Motorsport Commission to Ireland as an FIA F1 Steward..

The Galway Solicitor’s contribution to international motor sport over the years was immense, as was the legendary Brophy household hospitality every February during the Galway International Rally.

Bryan made numerous friends around the world, so to them, his wife Brigid, his children Joanna, Robert and Emma the IRDC offers its condolences.

Bryan will be sorely missed by all Page 46

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