Dale takes Banbury cake and driver's title
Andover based Justin Dale and Manxman Andrew Bargery took a hard fought win on the Banbury rally, the final round of the 2001 Formula Rally Championship. Not only did they take the event victory but with it the Formula Rally Drivers title. The climax to the season was as tense as could be expected and the final result saw the Championship only decided on the last stage.The arduous event, although only consisting of 40 miles contained no less than fourteen stages.
Andover based Dale stamped his authority immediately on the opening stage, Enstone One a slippy airfield test, setting a time 2.1 seconds ahead of Andersson in the Proton. Championship rival Rowe was 3rd, a full 5.2 seconds down on Dale.
Justin was again quickest on Enstone Two, eking out a further 0.6 seconds on Rowe. He commented "The car went well, but I really did find it quite slippy in places". Andersson slipped back dropping 3.2 seconds to Dale.
Stage three Great Tew 1 saw Rowe take the fastest time beating Dale by 0.3 second’s through the short test with Higgins setting the same time as Justin. The first of the Cornbury loop fell to Andersson in the Proton, Dale dropped 12 seconds with a spin but recovered to set fastest time on the second of the stages.
The following stages were incredibly close with Higgins stringing three fastest times together followed by Dale reciprocating with the next three.
Dale entered the final two stages holding a slender 14 second lead over Higgins and 20 seconds on Rowe. The penultimate stage caused flutters in the Peugeot camp with Rowe taking 8.4 seconds off the lead. However Dale held his cool and Rowe could only manage to take another 2.1 seconds on the final stage leaving Dale to take the Driver’s Crown.
Dale said "It wasn’t easy today - Martin never gave up." Patting his Peugeot, Justin went on "A good old girl this. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. It’s been a great fight against very good drivers".
10th November 2001
