RallyRoots Rally Results Service

Preston Rally 2001

Sponsored by Preston Garage Ltd of Writtle, Chelmsford

Chelmsford Motor Club

8th/9th December 2001

Clerk of the Course: Adrian Gladwin

Route: 140 Miles

Map: 143, 144, 154 & 155

Starters: 50

Photographs: M&H Photography

Winners: Steve Webster/Roger Hage (Subaru Impreza)

Chelmsford MC’s Preston Rally is now a legendary event in southern England. Based in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire the event makes use of the tracks, both public and private, that abound in those two counties. The 2001 event had 110 miles of competitive motoring, of which 85 miles were on unsurfaced tracks.

Pete Gabitiss/Alan Ogden (VW Golf GTi)

Owen Turner/Andrew Dadswell (Hillman Imp)

Unlike other southern road rallies route definition is straightforward, competitors are issued with road books containing high quality photocopied maps of the enitre route. The event started in 1978 and has had the same sponsor, Preston Garages of Chelmsford, since its first running. Any profits from the rally are donated to the East Anglian Air Ambulance service.

The Preston is a very popular event, its 50 car entry is always oversubscribed, in fact the eventual winners, Steve Webster/Roger Hage, were one of the crews on this year’s reserve list.

Only the withdrawal of previous Preston winners Mike Biss/Cath Woodman allowed them a start. The pair, competing in a Subaru Impreza, started the rally cautiously but went to the front of the field at about third distance. By the petrol halt they’d established a thirty second lead, this was extended to over two minutes at the Finish.

Having led initially Andy Baker/Lee Burgess took second place in their Peugoet 205. There was a close battle for third place, with Martin Smith/Martin Fowle taking the position from Martin Self/Paul Barrett on the very last section.

Amongst the leading runners who failed to make it to the finish were Dick Archer/Tim Ball, Steve Pashley/Richard Pashley and Steve Massey/Steve Copland.

The Semi-Expert class was won by the Ford Escort of Martin Betts/Mick Fern, who were 14th overall. The Novice award went to Alan Pemberton/Chris Robinson who were competing in an Audi Quattro. Jamie Turner, on his fifth attempt, finally made the Finish of the Preston, albeit in 35th and last place.

Top seeds Pete Gabitiss/Alan Ogden had a difficult night ending the Preston in 32nd place. Meanwhile the Hillman Imp of Owen Turner/Andrew Dadswell finished in sixth place for the second year in succession

OVERALL RESULTS