BRC Nicky Grist Stages 2016

[Fast Eddie WRC]

ROUND 5: Nicky Grist Stages 2016

The first day (Saturday 9 July) will be run over 45 miles of challenging gravel roads, while the second day (Sunday 10 July) will take place over 55 miles of fast and undulating Tarmac.

The MSA British Rally Championship crews will contest the full two days – with drivers such as Elfyn Evans (Ford Fiesta R5), David Bogie (ŠKODA Fabia R5) and Keith Cronin (Citroën DS3 R5) competing on gravel and Tarmac.

https://www.rallies.info/webentry/2016/nickygrist/entries.php?type=s

http://www.nickygriststages.co.uk/spectators.php

http://www.nickygriststages.co.uk/perch/resources/rally-guide-2016-final-version-v2-17042016-1.pdf

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Evans PET

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CmxkkSQW8AADBlE.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CmxkkV9WEAQSJqG.jpg

[AndyRAC]

Looking forward to it - haven't been out spectating for a while; can only do the Saturday, but should be back down there in a few weeks for the Harry Flatters.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

As we wait for times, news from Stage 2 Fredrik Aahlin is off. Crew ok. Not good news for the Swede. :(

Evans: We had a spin in the first stage and had to reverse. Some places are very greasy and slippery, others have good grip.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Evans with a good lead after SS3 where Cave and Bogie were both slow...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Times after Stage 4, end the first loop:

1 Elfyn Evans 0:22:34.2
2 David Bogie 0:22:52.8
3 Tom Cave 0:22:58.3
4 Jamie Anderson 0:23:27.3
5 Desi Henry 0:23:28.4
6 Jonathan Greer 0:23:31.5
7 Josh Moffett 0:23:51.4
8 Rhys Yates 0:23:56.8
9 Matt Edwards 0:24:15.1
10 Ollie Mellors 0:24:25.8

Bogie made back some time on SS4 and Evans lead now 18s.

[Simmi]

I wonder if Ahlin is regretting skipping Finland now for BRC? Shame to see the wheels fall off his title bid.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Perhaps Ahlin was pushing a bit hard on today's gravel, trying to offset a possible Evans superiority on tarmac tomorrow ?

Real shame to lose a main contender again and so early.

Evans just needs a solid run now to have a big lead in the Ch'ship.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ahlin: 'Went off on SS2 and got stuck in the ditch! Got caught out on a bit where they had been logging and just slid of the road, it's how it is...'

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Elfyn Evans quickest through SS5 and SS6.

Overall: 1 Evans 2 Bogie +30.2s 3 Henry 4 Anderson 5 Greer 6 Josh Moffett

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Timing glitch... Cave is still going and in 2nd after SS7, 43s down on Evans. Bogie is 3rd, 47s down.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great first day for Wales' Elfyn Evans leading by 48.1 seconds.

Crews now carrying out a 2 hour switch from gravel to asphalt spec. ahead of tomorrow's Epynt stages.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Evans: Tricky stages today but great roads to drive on..

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cm8sJNpWAAAma2Z.jpg

First Overall: Elfyn Evans – Ford Fiesta R5

“It was a tough day for us today, it was like Wales Rally GB conditions. We had a spin and issues with the car, making it a tricky morning but the afternoon loop was pretty smooth and we drove clean for a good end to the day.

“I held back for a stage or two as it is easy to make a mistake as Fredrik [Ahlin] showed. The weather looks to be the same tomorrow. I now have to get my head into Tarmac mode. All we can do is be on it from the word go. You can’t be too cautious as it will be easy for someone to take 15-20 seconds out of you.”

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Just a slight off, said Fredrik Aahlin!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cm8EoMiXEAAE803.jpg

[AndyRAC]

Well the weather was typically Welsh/Epynt; rain, mist, fog, wind.....I mean, it's only July.......
Evans looked quicker than the other guys, and a pity Ahlin had a 'slight' off, but apart from that an enjoyable day out spectating.

[dimviii]

http://www.ewrc.cz/images/2016/photos/nicky_grist_stages_100_2016/sku_97.jpg


http://www.ewrc-results.com/foto.php?e=27443

[Martin Liddle]

Event is running about an hour late. We think car 1 will start SS9 at about 10:08.

[Martin Liddle]

Times for SS9 coming in now. 0.9s covering the fastest four after 11.8 miles.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good to see it's brightening up on SS9. :)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cm_rXgsWgAAUCDh.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Evans still flying !
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cm_mGCGWcAAmuC4.jpg:large

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Good to see some close times on the morning loop on the tarmac, especially SS10 with Greer and Henry both beating Evans.

Also nice to see a few lesser known names setting good times, like Laffey, Yates and Preston.

Interim O/A after SS13 1/Evans 2/Cave +1.01.9 3/Henry +1.45.7

[Martin Liddle]

We are hearing reports that the event will be stopped after SS15; awaiting confirmation.

[Martin Liddle]

I can now confirm that competitors will not attempt stages 16,17 and 18 competitively due to a serious incident in SS14 requiring all available rescue resources.

[wwbroe]

I can now confirm that competitors will not attempt stages 16,17 and 18 competitively due to a serious incident in SS14 requiring all available rescue resources.

Must be serious incident then, what happened? Hope everybody is fine?

[satnav]

I can now confirm that competitors will not attempt stages 16,17 and 18 competitively due to a serious incident in SS14 requiring all available rescue resources.

I hope everyone is ok Martin .

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Owing to an incident, emergencies services have been deployed and the event cut short. No serious injuries. @MSA_BRC

[Mirek]

Glad that nobody was badly hurt. Still it's strange to cancel three stages because of that. Do they share some same piece of road or has some fire broke out that requires so many emergency crews?

[Martin Liddle]

There was an accident in SS14 and rescue resources were needed to cut at least one of the crew from the car. Current reports suggest the injuries sustained are not life threatening.

[Martin Liddle]

Glad that nobody was badly hurt. Still it's strange to cancel three stages because of that. Do they share some same piece of road or has some fire broke out that requires so many emergency crews?
The event was already running seriously late and rescue resources were deployed from all the remaining stages and there would not have been time for them to get back to their locations.

[Mirek]

The only missing crew on SS14 is No.100 Chris Wheeler, Yan Griffith with Citroen DS3 R3T.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

BTW, what was the reason for the delayed start this morning ?

[Martin Liddle]

BTW, what was the reason for the delayed start this morning ?
The army required access to the stages for slightly longer than expected and then the safety delegate required some changes to the chicanes.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnA84QVWcAEBFLC.jpg:large

[Mintexmemory]

The army required access to the stages for slightly longer than expected and then the safety delegate required some changes to the chicanes.
I was under the impression that the chicanes were erected at the end of Saturday's program and then removed overnight by the Army. This meant the chicanes had to be reinstated on Sunday morning and pass course inspection (both directions) before the Sunday stages could start. Very glad I baled out (literally) after the first run of 'Tank'
Elfyn does look far too good for this level of competition - photos this evening.

[Jack4688`]

Does anyone know when it's on TV? The TV schedule on channel4.com says next saturday morning is British GT

[Mintexmemory]

Just a few shots from Saturday and Sunday
I'll be posting on my Flickr page later this week
All we need next year is some sun for a great weekend!!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Does anyone know when it's on TV? The TV schedule on channel4.com says next saturday morning is British GT

I added a series-link for the BRC on Ch4 and have found some strange things recorded between rallies...

[Jack4688`]

Is that perhaps because it's an 'episode' of a series called 'Motorsport UK' so our TVs can't distinguish between BRC and BGT? Or do you mean you put it on to watch and it's recorded half an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond and half an episode of Frasier?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Oh yeah it must be Motorsport UK... I didnt realise.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

From his PR Twitter: 'Chris Wheeler is okay... cracked knee cap, internal bleeding in knee. But is home...'

Sounds painful ! :(

[MrJan]

Apparently Yan is still in hospital with a cracked vertebrae and waiting MRI results/scans.

[Jack4688`]

Tomorrow at 7:25 am on Channel 4