Isle of Man success for Suzuki
Dealer Team Suzuki’s Lorna Smith and co driver Joanne Oakey drove an almost faultless rally to bring their Swift Sport home on the Isle of Man International Rally, the 3rd round of the British Rally Championship and also a round in the Irish Tarmac Championship.
After completion of leg 1, comprising four stages totalling 24.54 miles, they finished the day in 18th position overall in the British Rally Championship, and in 6th position in Class R2 where they were up against the more powerful C2s.
Leg 2 consisted of 11 special stages totalling 93.04 stage miles and by the end of the day Lorna and Joanne had advanced to 11th overall despite a small off which required the replacement of two minor components. With the retirement of four competitors in Group R2 they were by now in 3rd position.
The final day saw seven further stages totalling 61.28 stage miles including the famous Brandywell Classic last stage finishing at the famous TT Grandstand.
Importantly 1st position in the Irish Tarmac Championship Class N2 was also achieved thereby increasing Lorna’s lead over her nearest rival in that Championship to 25 points with only the Ulster International and Cork 20 remaining.
Commenting on the result, Ian Robinson Team Manager said: “I am delighted for Lorna and Joanne and the entire Team with this success, particularly when our cars are the first two built to Group N2 standard by Suzuki Sport and there is still much potential for further development.”
British Rally Championship – Driver
1st Wyn Humphreys – GB 43 points
2nd Guy Wilks – GB 41 points
3rd Mark Higgins – GB 39 points
4th Darren Gass – GB 32 points
5th Robert Swann – GB 29 points
6th Lorna Smith – SCO 26 points (Dealer Team Suzuki)
British Rally Championship – Co Driver
1st Ally Mackay – GB 43 points
2nd Phil Pugh – GB 43 points
3rd Rory Kennedy – IRL 40 points
4th Neil Shanks – GB 32 points
5th Darren Garred – GB 29 points
6th Joanne Oakey – GB 28 points (Dealer Team Suzuki)
British Teams Rally Championship
1st Stobart Teg Sport – 98 points
2nd Mitsubishi Motors UK – 95 points
3rd TQ-Red Rally Team – 85 points
4th Dealer Team Suzuki – 79 points
British Junior Rally Championship – Driver
1st Darren Gass – GB 55 points
2nd Matt Beebe – GB 47 points
3rd Jason Pritchard – GB 46 points
4th James Wozencroft – 37 points (Dealer Team Suzuki)
British Rally Championship Class R2 – Drivers
1st Matt Beebe – GB 52 points
2nd Lorna Smith – SCO 50 points (Dealer Team Suzuki)
3rd Jason Pritchard – GB 47 points
4th James Wozencroft – GB 38 points
British Rally Championship Class R2 – Co-Drivers
1st Joanne Oakey – GB 52 points (Dealer Team Suzuki)
2nd Martin Jones – GB 50 points
3rd Chris Ridge – GB 41 points (Dealer Team Suzuki)
British Rally Championship Ladies Cup
1st Lorna Smith – SCO 60 points (Dealer Team Suzuki)
Irish Tarmac Rally Championship Class N2
1st Lorna Smith – SCO 55 points (Dealer Team Suzuki)
2nd Enda Hallinan – IRL 30 points
3rd James Wozencroft – 24 points (Dealer Team Suzuki)
