WINNER TAKES ALL ON CHEVIOT...
The destiny of the 2007 MSA Asphalt Rally Championship will be decided over the remote military roads of the Otterburn ranges in Northumberland when the UTS Cheviot Rally hosts the sixth and final event of the season this Sunday (11th November).

Both Steve Simpson (Hyundai Accent WRC) and John Price (MG Metro 6R4) cannot be separated on points going into the event and it really is a ‘winner takes all’ scenario of the highest order.

Manchester driver Simpson took the win on the opening round of the series, the controversial Tour of Epynt, but since then, hasn’t managed to top the podium whereas Hereford’s price has taken victory at the previous two rounds (Sligo and Ulster).

But with competitor’s best four scores only counting towards the championship, the maths are quite simple, if either Simpson or Price crosses the ramp as rally winners, they are 2007 champions. If it’s Price it will be his thirteenth such title but for Simpson, it would be his first…

In the Co-drivers’ section, the battle is no less intense. Caroline Price (JP) and Mark Booth (MS) are equal in the points table but, on this occasion, Booth is not available and Simpson has enlisted the help of Patrick Walsh. Currently, however, Booth would take the title on count-back and it means Caroline still has to finish 5th highest Championship contender or better, if she is to reverse the situation.

Like the two main championship protagonists, newcomers Tommi Graham and Mike Bailey have maintained a 100% finishing record in their Mitsubishi Lancer and while Bailey is safe in third, Graham has Group N leader Nick James (Mitsubishi Lancer) breathing down his neck for the final podium place in the Drivers’ table. After an absence of several months, Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt are returning to the MSA Asphalt Championship for the Cheviot. The pair were leading the event for a while this time last year before their MG Metro 6R4 suffered gearbox problems, causing them to drop to an eventual third overall.

Other locals in with a shout are Geordies Andy Fenwick and Lee Tindall who debut their recently acquired Skoda and they along with the Subaru of John Marshall/Paul Hughes could influence the result, as could the rapid 6R4 pairing of John Stone and Lee Carter.

Supporting the main National A event is the National B Keith Knox Rally which runs adjacent to the UTS Cheviot Rally and the Newcastle pairing of Michael Glendinning and Andrew Roughead start as favourites in their Subaru.

1 John Price/Caroline Price MG Metro 6R4
2 Steve Simpson/Patrick Walsh Hyundai Accent WRC
3 Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt MG Metro 6R4
4 Michael Glendinning/Andrew Roughead Subaru Impreza
5 Andy Fenwick/Lee Tindall Skoda
6 John Marshall/Paul Hughes Subaru Impreza
7 John Stone/Lee Carter MG Metro 6R4
8 George Mackey/Ken Bills Mitsubishi Lancer
9 Tommi Graham/Mike Bailey Mitsubishi Lancer
10 Nick James/Bill Robertson Mitsubishi Lancer

The first car leaves the start of the UTS Cheviot National Rally on the Ranges at 8.30am and arrives back at the finish at the Otterburn Hall Hotel at 4.30pm that afternoon.

Spectators will only be allowed at Leighton Hill (map reference sheet 80/908954) with the first car due at 09.01.Access will be arrowed off the A696 via the B6341 with the entrance to the ranges just before Elsdon Village (at 928934). Please do not enter via Elsdon Village

Please drive with due care and park sensibly to allow access for rescue vehicles and follow the marshals instructions as anyone deemed to be in a dangerous place will stop the stage.

Marshals are still required so if you can help, please call Guy Whickham (Chief Marshal) on 07989 322186.

Details and downloads are available at www.cheviotstages.co.uk

Compiled and Distributed on behalf of the organisers by: Cartersport Motorsport Media, PO Box 150, Northallerton, DL6 3WZ