A top 10 finish on his first tarmac rally for 6 years was enough to give Harrogate driver Tim Pearcey the class lead in the MSA British Historic Rally Championship, a result which reinforces his challenge for the overall championship. Pearcey, along with Scottish co-driver Neil Shanks was tackling the Ulster rally for the first time, and the closed public roads around the events Antrim base were to present a stiff challenge for the pair in their Willowgreen Homes backed Ford Escort RS1800.

The last (and only) time the Millers Oils backed driver had contested a closed road tarmac event was way back in 2005, and it’s fair to say the experience then on the Isle of Man hadn’t been exactly positive. There was a degree of trepidation as the crew set out for their recce, where they had the chance to drive the route and see what lay in wait for the 50+ car entry, and with changeable weather forecast for the rally it was important to keep an eye out for the notorious ‘shiny tar’, localised sections of road which offer next to no grip if wet.

As the crew assembled for the start of the rally from the historic centre of Antrim all eyes were on the weather, and it was under cloudy skies that the cars headed north for the first loop of stages. The roads remained dry mainly dry, although there was the possibility of damp patches under the trees. Not the ideal conditions to learn the subtleties of rallying on tarmac, and certainly not the conditions to fill you with confidence!

The game plan was primarily to get to the finish, with the target bring finishing in the top 10 of the event which would ensure a healthy points score in the championship so their would be no big risks. This strategy would also allow Tim to feel his way into the event, and over the first loop of three stages the game plan was followed to the letter returning to service in 15th place, but with no miss-adventures to report and feeling his way in nicely. The crew left service to repeat the first 3 stages in sunshine, hoping for a chance to push on the dry surface and explore the limits. Typically, the weather had other ideas and by the time the cars arrived to start stage 4 the roads were wet, and unpredictable.

“On the way north to stage 4 I had just commented to Neil that I was glad it looked like the rain had stayed away – 2 miles later the roads were wet! It’s been an interesting day and I feel I’ve learned a lot. It’s given me a new respect for guys like Davies, Corkhill & Stokes – the pace they are at is unreal but it shows what is possible. At the end of the day we are here to learn and I’m happy to still be here, particularly after the weather changes for stages 4 & 5. Stage 6 was dry though so hopefully it stays that way for tomorrow.” commented Tim as the crews arrived back in Antrim for the finish just before midnight.

Saturday did indeed dawn dry, although the first stage along the edge of Lough Neagh was littered with damp patches and had to be treated with respect. This was safely negotiated and Tim then rated the next stage at Tardree as his favourite of the event, despite a close shave with a hedge and then a spin in front of the assembled spectators!

The next loop of stages took the remaining crews over the demanding Slieve Gallion test, at over 15 miles of typically bumpy Irish lanes it was the longest stage of the rally, and has ended many drivers Ulster rally in the past. Another composed drive through this loop with the pace increasing all the time, returned the immaculate Seymour Roberts prepared Escort to service inside the top 10, and looking at a useful haul of BHRC points.

There was a potential sting in the tail for the Willowgreen Homes crew however, as they waited to enter the service area Tim became aware of a noisy clutch release bearing, and with changing the offending part not possible in the time, there was no other option but to try and nurse the car to the finish, and ignore the squealing bearing.

With the penultimate stage drier than it was first thing in the morning, it was completed with only a slightly dented door to report as a result of a minor altercation with a bale on a junction. That left Tim’s favourite Tardree as the final stage of the event, with their best stage time of the event the result and the target of a top 10 finish achieved. A result which sees Tim and Neil move to the head of the class in the championship standings.

“I think, all things considered, this has been one of the most enjoyable events I have ever done.” said Tim back at the Antrim finish. “I came here not knowing what to expect, and although the pace of the guys at the front has blown me away I’m pleased we were able to improve throughout the event and finish strongly. We’ve learned a lot as well, we kept the car basically in gravel set-up and today it’s been too soft for the conditions, but it’s been all about learning for the future. Also we’ve kept the same set of tyres on throughout the event and the Dunlop tyres have been anything but historic I’m pretty amazed by the grip!”

“Neil & I have really got to thank Seymour and Kevin for their efforts with the car this weekend, aside from a noisy clutch release bearing at the end the car hasn’t missed a beat and to be honest even the bearing made no difference in the stages. Once again they’ve turned out one of the nicest cars in the rally – and there have been a lot of nice cars out this weekend. Also a word for the organisers, this is probably the best organised event we have done and the welcome we have received from everyone from the Scrutineers to the Marshals has been fantastic, as has the support from the locals. It’s great to go rallying where people are happy that the event is on. Finally, we must thank David & Richard at Willowgreen Homes, and Millers Oils for their continuing support, we wouldn’t be out there without their support.”

You can keep up to date with the team throughout the season by following @wghrally on twitter

Photograph Copyright Pail Lawrence








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