2008 Calender

• 22/02/2008-23/02/2008 - Jaks Bar Stages Rally
• 23/03/2008 - Easter Stages Stages Rally
• 9/05/2008-10/05/2008 - RBSI Manx National Rally
• 14/06/2008 - Riverside Furniture Stages Rally
• 17/07/2008-19/07/2008 -Rally Isle of Man
• 12/09/2008-13/09/2007 - Duke Stages Rally
• 04/10/2007 - TDL Stages Rally
• 07/11/2008- 08/11/2008 -Blackhorse Finance Stages Rally

Sideways to Victory for O`Hagan

The battle for class C (front wheel drive up 2 litres) was between the usual top crews. Seeded at number 4 was Matt Bettridge with Chris Corkish along side in their Peugeot 206 GTI, Next up at 17 was the Pristine Peugeot 306 of Steve King and Chris Heyes and at 21 was the VW Golf GTI of John O`Hagan with Ashley Trimble on the notes.

These three crews have all remained close on previous events and all looked forward to another competitive outing. None had expected what was to unfold on the slippy Forest Tracks. Bettridge / Corkish came out of stage 1 with some front wing damage evidence of how slippy it was, a time of 8.34 minutes was slow by his standards. King / Heyes finished on a nominal time of 7.47 as did O`Hagan / Trimble, as an earlier car had blocked the stage with drizzle falling steadily making the conditions even more demanding. Bettridge having had a look at his damage decided not to risk the car further and decided to retire.

King completed stage 2 with a time of 7.38 driving superbly the little Peugeot handling well. O`Hagan / Trimble ended on 7.45 O`Hagan admitting a few “moments” special stage 3 was a
re-run of stage 2 with a shorter loop through the forest.

The action had not long got underway once more when King made a uncharacteristic mistake on a left / right kink rolling the Peugeot off the road and into instant retirement. The crew unhurt and most of the damage superficial a sad end to a spirited drive.

O`Hagan / Trimble arrived at the same corner “a little “sideways” to discover they had just been handed the class lead, the duo now lying just outside the top 10 overall.

Conditions became slightly better in the afternoon, however severe brake problems over the final two stages hindered O’Hagan’s fine drive, Co driver Trimble reminding him to “tidy it up” – unaware of the problem. They dropped to 12 overall but took class honours easily.

The trio will once again battle it out in the forth coming Duke Stages in September.

John and Ashley would like to thank new sponsors I.T. Works and also Taylor Clark, Choice Designs and Installations, Magnet Trade and Kris Clay at www.isleofmanphotgraphs.com for their continuing support. They also would to like to thank the event organisers, marshal’s and timekeepers for their time in running this excellent event.

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Contact me: info@johnohagan.co.uk