Rochdale rally driver speeds into second place

Joe Cruttended took part in the rally through the Scottish borders

Joe Cruttenden, rally co-driver from Newhey, Rochdale, sped into second place in class in a 14-stage race through the Scottish Borders which involved two night sections.

Alongside Cambridge-based partner Lewis Rope, his car won Performance of the Rally. They were competing in the Jim Clark National Rally, the only closed tarmac event in Britain.

At one stage in the event their car led but was eventually overpowered by a Vauxhall Nova. They finished in 36th position overall.

“It was our first time in the 1300 Micra and Lewis’s first Tarmac rally and only the second competing at night’ commented Cruttenden. ‘We had no major problems on the first three stages and were delighted to finish the event second in class.

“The one stage we were unsure of was the famous Swinton stage, with the large jump at the Mills cross roads ’ said Cruttenden ‘ We took it flat out and landed on the road on the other side. we believe know that our approach to this famous jump led in some way to winning the Performance award, plus the fact that i think we were flat out through the rally most of the time.”

Joe has a busy month ahead with four rallies this month. He will take part in the next round of the BTRDA championship in Nottinghamshire, followed by the Rally of the Midlands, Carwent (South Wales) and the Scottish Rally.