Thrilling debut for Swift Signs & Shirts Yorkshire Dales Rally

Elliot Payne and Michael Gilbey drove into the history books with victory on the inaugural Swift Signs & Shirts Yorkshire Dales Rally, emerging on top after a dramatic day of competition on the roads of Wensleydale and Swaledale.

Northallerton Auto Club would like to thank everyone who helped deliver a memorable first edition of the new closed road rally, with crews, officials, volunteers and supporters all playing a vital part in bringing the event to life.

Elliot Payne and Michael Gilbey drove into the history books with victory on the inaugural Swift Signs & Shirts Yorkshire Dales Rally. Photo: Nicky Jackson

Based in Leyburn, with the ceremonial start taking place outside Campbell’s of Leyburn and service centred at Tennants Auctioneers, the rally brought a full field of cars to some of the most spectacular and challenging roads in the Yorkshire Dales.

From the moment the first crews left the start ramp, the event delivered exactly the kind of action, atmosphere and community spirit the organisers had hoped for from this exciting new addition to the rally calendar.

The rally itself produced a superb contest at the front of the field. Seeded at car 1, Sam Touzel / Max Freeman set the early pace and led the rally for most of the day in their Ford Fiesta Rally2. They remained in front going into the final stage, despite their advantage over a pushing Elliot Payne / Michael Gilbey being cut to just three seconds after SS7.

Sam Touzel / Max Freeman set the early pace. Photo: Phill Andrews

But in horrendous weather on SS8, their rally came to an end in unfortunate fashion when they aquaplaned and hit a wall, forcing their retirement and bringing an impressive drive to a premature close. It opened the door for a dramatic change at the top of the leaderboard and allowed Payne to take full advantage.

Payne went on to secure victory, with team-mates Alex Vassallo / Chris Lees making it a Ford Fiesta Rally2 one-two. The result was all the more impressive because both crews had competed on Rally North Wales the previous day, changing their cars from gravel to tarmac specification overnight to tackle the Yorkshire asphalt. Joe Cunningham and Joshua Beer completed the podium in third after a strong run in their Ford Fiesta WRC.

Alex Vassallo / Chris Lees made it a Ford Fiesta Rally2 one-two. Photo: Phill Andrews

Winning co-driver Michael Gilbey summed up both the challenge and the achievement afterwards. He said: “This one’s been a while coming, after a couple of near misses in the last couple of years. I'm delighted to finally take my first stage rally overall win. Huge thanks to my left hand man for a ‘moderate’ spin around the brutal, relentless, super technical stages of North Yorkshire. Sorry to see Sam and Max on stop in the last stage, it was shaping up to be a proper race to the finish. Huge credit to Northallerton Automobile Club for putting together a new event on legendary lanes. A worthy addition to the calendar, already looking forward to seeing what’s in store next time!”

Joe Cunningham / Josh Beer were 3rd overall. Photo: Phill Andrews

Behind the leading crews, the rally delivered a strong first impression as competitors tackled a route that combined fast flowing stages, technical sections and conditions that became increasingly difficult as the day went on. It was exactly the kind of challenge expected from an event in the Yorkshire Dales, and one that gave the new rally a real sense of character from the outset.

Ross Brusby / Sam Collis took top honours in Class 3. Photo: Phill Andrews

In the class battles, James Hall / Mark Twiname won Class 2 in their Subaru Impreza, Ross Brusby / Sam Collis took Class 3 in a Ford Escort Mk2, and Connor O’Brien / Jack Morton came out on top in Class 4 in their Ford Fiesta Rally3.

Luke Constantine / Ifan Devine claimed Class 5 in the first outing for their new Opel Corsa Rally4, Dave and Olly Lucking won Class 6/7 in their Ford Escort MkII RS1800, Lewis Hooper / Rhys Edwards took Class 8 in a Ford Fiesta R2, and Mark and Andrew Constantine won Class 9 in a Vauxhall Corsa.

Luke Constantine / Ifan Devine claimed Class 5 in the first outing for their new Opel Corsa Rally4. Photo: Phill Andrews

Northallerton Auto Club chairman Ian Jackson said: “To see the Yorkshire Dales Rally come together so successfully in its first year is hugely satisfying for everyone involved. The event produced exactly the kind of competition and atmosphere we hoped for, but just as importantly it showed what can be achieved with the support of marshals, officials, residents, local communities and sponsors. We are proud of what was delivered on the day, and proud of the way the rally was received across the Yorkshire Dales.”

The club would like to thank the marshals and officials, whose job was made especially difficult by the changing and challenging weather conditions during the day. Their work was central to the safe and successful running of the event, and Northallerton Auto Club is extremely grateful for the commitment, professionalism and resilience they showed throughout.

Everyone at Northallerton Auto Club would like to pass on their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the spectator at Countersett who became unwell and then sadly lost their life. We send our love and sincere thoughts to everyone involved.

The club would also like to thank residents and local communities across the route for their patience, understanding and support in helping welcome the event to the area, along with title sponsor Swift Signs & Shirts, stage sponsors Castle Timber Buildings, Hall Bros, Constantine Building Services and Wensleydale Brewery, and all the other businesses and organisations whose backing helped bring the rally to life.

Yorkshire Dales Rally Top 10:

1. Elliot Payne / Michael Gilbey

2. Alexander Vassallo / Chris Lees

3. Joe Cunningham / Joshua Beer

4. Ollie Mellors / Ian Windress

5. Hugh Hunter / Andy Marchbank

6. Jason Pritchard / Phil Clarke

7. Roger Duckworth / Alun Cook

8. Stephen Pawson / Liam Whiteley

9. Wayne Sisson / Harry Stubbs

10. John Stone / Laura Marshall

Full results are available at: www.rallies.info