Local crew of Stevie Leonard and Sion Humphries in an Escort Mk 2 finally realized their dream of winning the Paperclix Jersey Rally this weekend to become the first Jersey winners of the event since 2006. However they did not have things all their own way as they were pushed very hard to the end by second placed Jersey crew James Hansford and Andrew De La Cour in another Escort Mk2 who was less than a minute behind at the end and catching. Third and first UK car home was the team of Richard Fishleigh and Peter Guymer in a Pinto powered Mk 2 Escort. The event proved to be a tough one with only 35 teams out of 74 starters getting to the finish.  

Commenting on a first win, Stevie Leonard said "I am really thrilled for Sion and I to be the first Jersey winners since 2006. Friday was really hard as the weather was awful and the night stages in Grouville and Archirondel really tough. Added to which we were pushed very hard by the cars behind and in fact lost the lead a couple of times. In was all about survival in the early stages and just getting through to day two in good shape. The weather really picked up on Saturday morning and we were able to pull out a really useful lead on the fast St Ouen and Greve stages."

Top placed Navigator Sion Humphries added, "We had built up a useful lead by the time the Saturday afternoon stages came round which was just as well as we ran into a few gearbox issues which slowed us up. Hanni and Andrew were pushing us very hard to the end. Fortunately we just had enough in hand to clinch it. It a great feeling to finally win the event after coming second so many times and we will be back next year to try to do it again!"

Second placed driver James Hansford added. "I loved the wet conditions on Friday and we really pushed on especially in the night stages. We took the lead on a couple of occasions but then I picked up a hand injury on one of the twisty turns on the Achirondel stages and lost a bit of time. Steve and Sion were really quick on the St Ouen and Greve stages and pulled out a bit of a lead which was just a bit too much for us to pull back in the afternoon. Still a great weekend, and our best finish since 2005."

Second place navigator Andrew De La Cour added.  "Friday was really testing and although we gave back a bit of time to Steve and Sion on St Ouen and Greve stages, however we were catching them very quickly towards the end. A great event and we are really pleased with our result."

Third overall and top UK driver Richard Fishleigh commenting on his placing said. "We do not quite have the power of the two cars in front of us but we pushed really hard all the way and were pleased to be only a minute or so behind them at the end. A great event, really well organised and we will be back again!"

A fine drive saw Lee Vivian and Will Rutherford in their Ford Escort GPA win Class E and placed 4th overall. Lee also won the prize for the first driver over 40. 

5th overall and the winner of class D was the crew of Stewart Le Breton and Justin Bush in a M2 Escort.

First Guernsey car was the crew of John Eborall and Peter Jury who were 4 in class and 25th overall. 

A stirring drive saw Marcus Bisson and David Petit in a Ford Puma take the trophy Rally prize. 

Full results can be found on the Jersey Rally website. www.jerseyrally.com

The club would like to thank all the residents along the stages for their understanding and patience, the sponsors, particularly Paperclix who have supported the event for 12 years and the crews of St Johns Ambulance and Normandy Rescue.