Report for MINISPARES – MANX RALLY May 2022

The Manx Rally this year took place over Friday and Saturday 13th/14th May, with ceremonial start at the newly refurbished North Quay in Douglas Isle of Man. 70 crews were entered to cover 6 closed road stages on Friday night, followed by 8 stages on Saturday making a total of 110 competitive miles . There were only three Mini crews comprising Manxman Stephen Higgins/Lee Marsden in their 1275 Morris Cooper S with new Ray Cunningham built engine,at number 54, myself in “277 BRX” with Bob ward at 61, and fellow Manx crew of Josh Dallimore/Leonie Marchbank at 69 in their later mini “MMN 998R”with beautiful sounding 1380 engine , 7 port head on fuel injection and throttle bodies (See pic below)



It was still daylight when we started the first stage


We were on similar times to Steve, but my right foot injury was starting to hinder my braking ability, by the time we got back into service at the TT grandstand. It was now dark setting off on the second loop and


we suffered a broken throttle cable leaving the refuelling area, losing 3 minutes on the following road section despite Spen fitting a replacement in double quick time. Regrettably we were not on the pace with various issues including my foot, and could not keep up with Steve’s pace, despite this photo of our attack at the Bungalow hairpin leaving the TT circuit on the last Druidale stage.


The Mini positions at the end of Leg One (Friday)

Car No/Drivers	Time
Car 54 Stephen Higgins/Lee Ramsden	54m 43s
Car 61 PH/Bob Ward	57m19s
Car 69 Josh Dallimore/Leonie Marchbank	1h02m36s

By next morning my foot was so bad we very reluctantly had to retire from the event. Steve and Josh both made it to the finish, with Steve really enjoying his new engine power, until an unseen patch of oil sent them into a hedge causing some damage to the car, see pic below, but not preventing a finish.


Final times

Car No/Drivers	Time
Car 54 Stephen Higgins/Lee Ramsden	54m 43s
Car 61 PH/Bob Ward	57m19s
Car 69 Josh Dallimore/Leonie Marchbank	1h02m36s

Both minis again being beaten by the increasingly rapid MGB of David and James Mylchreest seen here below with one of his minis, at a recent hill climb.


Thanks again to MINISPARES for their support. Action Photos by Mathew Grant at mdwg_iom@hotmail.co.uk. Others by Martin Leonard on HRCR duty.

Peter Horsburgh