Mark takes autotest win

Aug 9 2012 by Stuart Gillespie, Galloway News

MARK McCulloch was the winner of Solway Car Club’s eighth autotest of the season last weekend.

With the weather too bad to get onto landowner’s fields the Armstrong family offered the use of their quarry at Auchenlosh, which was a godsend for members.

A total of 30 tackled the test, with the day providing lovely but dusty conditions.

Mark McCulloch led the way in class one in the MG from team mate Keith Riddick with the family battle of Karen and Thomas McCarney in the Nissan close behind the leaders.

A cone penalty on test three saw Mark fall behind Keith but a mistake with gears on the last test let Mark nip back in front to win, with Karen getting the better of husband Thomas for third.

Class two saw a close start with Richard Dickson, Barbara Armstrong, Chris Adams and Tont Marchbank all in contention after two tests.

The engine mounting in Barbara and Tont’s Nova broke dropping them back, leaving Richard in the Rover and Chris in the Corsa battling for the win.

First Chris hit trouble, a cone penalty on the sixth test dropping him back, before a rare mistake from Richard on the last test let Chris through to win.

Harry Marchbank also got through for second, with Richard third.

Joe McKeand had the upper hand on Willie Johnston from the start of class five and when Willie’s buggy broke Joe lent him his so he could finish the event.

Mark McCulloch was the overall winner with a total time of 397.1. Second was Keith Riddick with Karen McCarney third.

She also won the ladies section from Nancy Dickson, followed by Hannah Dickson and Barbara Armstrong.

Hannah was top junior girl and in the junior boys Stewart Dodds won from Harry Marchbank, George Somerville and Greg Alcorn.

The organisers wish to thank the Armstrong family and manager Mike Rae for the venue and everyone that helped with the running of the event.

For full results visit www.solwaycarclub.co.uk