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All content © Bob MuIIins |
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Gale force to Pikes Peak - 8th March The KTM 450 RR rider Andy Gale rode the perfect rally with accurate navigation and a zero score for penalties. "I thought I did OK, but not that well! That's made my day. I was in bits in the morning with nerves. I didn’t ride well for the first hour, I thought I had forgotten what to do. I'm really pleased with the result.” commented Andy. The Pikes Peak Roadbook Rally took place on Sunday 8th March, as round one of the RallyMoto Navigational Cup. It is the first time a full roadbook and GPS tracked rally has taken place in the UK and the riders gave it a big thumbs up.
The weather to say the least was appalling with very high winds and torrential rain but as ever the rally boys turned up with all 48 competitors present. Chris Barwick of Desert Rose Racing set the riders off at one minute intervals. Chris himself is recovering from injuries whilst racing abroad in the Africa Eco Race. With all of the main names in UK rallying supporting their riders such as Desert Rose and Torque Racing it was going to be an interesting day. Andrew Newland, a seasoned desert racer, was also one of the riders. So this was going to be a competitive days riding. Big Lee Green was first away and was going to break ground testing out the new navigational tracking system put in place by the organisers RallyMoto and My-Track from Greece. My-Track are experts in the field of rally tracking and are instrumental in the Hellas, Serres rallies and the Hungarian Baja. Andrew Newland commented " What a great days rallying in the UK, the course was great with specular scenery and the roadbook was very accurate. I can't wait to do more events in the UK. RallyMoto have certainly proved a roadbook rally can be a success" Andy Gale took the overall win on the day and the up to 450cc Rally Class after his return from illness it seemed like just rewards. Andy would like to thank the SURE charity for helping him get back to full fitness and also for the support form Torque Racing and Colwyn Bay MC.
George Dennison won the Rally Light class on his superb 450 Honda. The Pikes Peak Rally has proved that proper rallying is possible in the UK and anyone can “give it a go”. One of the competitors had only done 20 hours off road before and came to the event and finished it what I fantastic achievement. RallyMoto would like to give a massive "thank you" to our team of marshals and timekeepers for standing in such appalling conditions out on the top of the Welsh mountains. The next round of the RallyMoto Roadbook Navigational Cup is the
RallyMotoGB event in August. |
The course was 140km long and the riders braved some torrential rain and
high winds right from the start at the Hafod Hotel at Devils Bridge, which
was also used as the rally base and HQ with the riders briefing and signing
on taking place on the Saturday night.
Lee Green was second, after his detour route finding on the final stage
between CP5 and CP6, and Rick Griffin took third on the mighty 990 KTM and
took the points in the over 450 Rally Class