Renault Championship lead for Cruttenden

Joe Cruttenden (far right)

Following his success on the Circuit of Ireland rally a couple of weeks ago, Newhey Co driver, Joe Cruttenden had more success at the Pirelli International Rally, with a win in the Renault Twingo R2 Championship, moving into 6th place overall in the British Rally Championship.

Co-driving for 17-year-old Chris Ingram from Stockport, the pair had the first class win of the British Rally Championship. Based in Carlisle the rally used the infamous Kielder forest, to run the twelve gruelling stages, starting with the first two stages run in the dark on the Friday night.

Following the ceremonial start in Carlisle town centre the rally headed north to the the first stage.

Stage one was an alarm call for the young pair, as they managed to visit the trees half way through the stage, losing 90 seconds, whilst spectators pushed the car back onto the road.

Stage two was a second run through the same stage. this time they had a clear run and made up a little time. A little happier the car returned to Carlisle for the overnight halt.

Saturday morning the rally left Carlisle and returned to the Kielder complex.

Stage 3 went well, although the pair reported that the car was great on the fast straights, but wasn't handling on the loose corners.

Adjustments were made to try and rectify the handling issue at the remote service following stage 4, but during the allowed ten minutes service it was not enough and the car still handled strangely during the next three stage, at one point they believed they had a slow puncture and slowed a little.

They returned to Carlisle, where there was more time to adjust the suspension successfully.

With 5 stages remaining and one more service halt the pair remained on the pace and pulled back some of the last time and finished in a creditable 15th overall, ahead of some quicker cars.

"We had one more puncture on one of the last few stage," remarked Joe "but we managed to change it between stages. and we then knew as long as we kept it going we were in for the result we wanted," he added.

A champagne spraying reception at the finish greeted the duo.

"We were delighted to finish first Twingo R2 and to not only pick up the points we needed to take the championship lead, but also the Renault prize money, champagne and prize money... a first for me," joked Joe.

The next round of the championship is the Jim Clark Rally, the first all tarmac round of the championship and a further trip in the lanes of the Scottish Borders.