A Yorkshireman’s Triumph: Dan Mennell Claims British Historic Rally Championship Victory
In just his 10th rally at this level, Yorkshireman Dan Mennell joined the elite ranks of drivers to score a British Historic Rally Championship victory, triumphing on the Riponian Stages. Partnered by John Roberts, Mennell took the wheel of his Ford Escort Mk2 and stormed to victory on Sunday’s Riponian Stages Rally, an event that took place in his local forests. Despite the challenging conditions, with overnight rain making the classic Yorkshire forests very slippery and difficult, Mennell barely put a wheel wrong and finished the event 20 seconds clear of another rising star in historic rallying, David Crossen.
A Hard-Fought Battle for the Podium
The competition was intense from the start. Northern Irishman David Crossen, paired with Ben Teggart, set the pace on the opening stage in Gale Rigg, but Mennell was just two seconds adrift. After 11 high-speed miles in Cropton, Mennell had taken the lead by five seconds and steadily built his advantage to a 20-second buffer by the end of the rally. Crossen, who was still gaining experience in both the championship and the Yorkshire stages, admitted that it was a good result for them, highlighting the fierce competition and the skill required to achieve such a feat.
A Mighty Fightback and a Podium Finish
The podium wasn’t without its drama. Adrian Hetherington, who was partnered by Ronan O’Neill, faced an early setback with a rear puncture on the opening stage, losing around 20 seconds. However, Hetherington showed impressive resilience and was really into his stride over the second loop, setting two fastest stage times. Critically, he was 6 seconds ahead of everyone through the final Boltby test, which was enough to secure third place. Former racer David Henderson, despite struggling with a clutch problem in the morning stages, managed to finish fourth, a commendable result given the challenges he faced.
A Strong Showing from the Local Talent
Another rising Yorkshireman, Matthew Stroud, with Josh Carr alongside him in an Escort, rounded out the top five with an impressive performance. Making it a very good day for Yorkshire, Adam Milner and Roy Jarvis finished a fabulous seventh overall in their 1600cc Escort Mk1. Milner had rolled out of his previous two rallies, and both driver and co-driver were just pleased to see the finish for the first time in two and a half years. Their persistence and determination paid off, contributing to a memorable day for the Yorkshire rally community.
Mechanical Woes Strike Several Contenders
Not everyone was as fortunate. Mechanical issues claimed several contenders, including Matthew Robinson, Ben Friend, and George Lepley. George Lepley, who was expected to set the pace in his Mitsubishi Galant VR4, faced engine woes on the opening stage, which ended his rally shortly after it started. These setbacks underscore the unpredictable nature of historic rallying, where the slightest mechanical issue can derail even the most promising of efforts.
A Dream Come True for Mennell
For Dan Mennell, the victory was a dream come true. At the finish, he expressed his joy and gratitude, saying, “That’s absolutely magical. I used to watch all these guys when I was a lad and think: ‘I’d love to do that one day’. And here we are. It’s like a dream come true.” His performance on the Riponian Stages Rally not only solidifies his position as one of the major rising talents in historic rallying but also serves as an inspiring story for aspiring drivers who dream of achieving similar heights in their motorsport careers.
