Age No Factor In Classic Result at Scouts Rally SA
The facts are clear: you don’t need to be old to win, but you do need to have talent. And Jack Monkhouse has talent in spadeful’s!
Monkhouse in his Datsun Classic 180B SSS |
Driving a Classic 180B SSS Datsun, Monkhouse, a past ARC and drift category competitor with ARC regular Dale Moscatt finished in front last Sunday afternoon for ACRA’s ARC Classic Category at the Scouts Rally SA. Will Orders, like Monk house had stepped into the Classic fields for a fun and affordable way to compete in top events with ARC billing driving the Pedders RX-7. |
Barry Lowe, a past ARC and SA Champion returned to the sport and whilst tentative on the first few stages – you don’t forget how to drive fast, did take some time to get used to his Son’s Commodore and build renewed confidence during Heat 1.
Monkhouse did not have all his own way. Heat 1 saw a determined challenge by Jeff David (Porsche) the grand master of Classic Rallying. The expected challenge by Will Orders ( the other past ARC Fast man) was expected to set the early pace.
“I like Rally SA, despite having a big crash in a Subaru a few years back”. He said. The Rx-7 suffered on the opening Angaston Oval stage with fuel problems and a frantic drive into Adelaide saw Orders ready to take on the famous SA roads on Saturday, only to suffer more problems after the Mt Gawler stage an oil fitting failed, ending his challenge for the day.
Keith Callinan in his Ford Escort RS 1800 |
Multiple ARC Championship winning driver Ross Dunkerton who’s Escort RS 1800 was still being repaired, drove Bill Dunn’s Fiat 131 – the campaign ending on the third stage of the day with a broken stub axle. Snooks in the Datsun Stanza suffered from engine problems and dropped 3 stages but rejoined the field on stage 7. |
Jeff David backed up his Coffs Coast Rally victory by taking out Heat 1 from Monkhouse in the 180B and Keith Callinan claimed third in his Historic RallySport Ford Escort RS 1800.
Barry Lowe, 58 in his return to rallying, was just out of the top 3 in 4th!
Heat 2
Will Orders took victory on Saturday night in front of the crowds around the Angaston Oval the opening stage and powered the 350 HP Mazda RX-7 to a decisive 3.5 second victory over Darryn Snooks in the repaired Stanza.
Out in the forest it was a different matter. It was Orders out in front until SS16 where the Watts link failed and the crew was forced to sit out the rest of the rally again, handing the lead to Monkhouse, a former rival in the ARC main game! So close to a Heat win!
David in his Porsche 911 |
Orders was reflective - “I’m really enjoying the classic division of the ARC as the competition is fierce but we still get out and have a good joke with the other competitors. We’re still developing the car and working through some issues, but it won’t be long now and we’ll get a good finish”. Monkhouse and Moscatt only had to take it easy as they were some 16 seconds in front of David in the Porsche. |
Barry Lowe one of our past Australian Champions then took charge on the last stage Tweeden2 by showing everyone how its done by taking the stage victory from the younger (much younger) Monkhouse by .1 of a second!
A stage win is a win and Lowe was ecstatic! At 58 that’s no mean feat!
Jack Monkhouse the past ARC Group N competitor and now pilot of a very rapid Datsun 180B SSS took the Heat 2 win, David in the Porsche 911 a close second and the first podium for Darryn Snooks in his Datsun Stanza.
Barry Lowe finished 4th in his return to Classic Rallying.
Overall the results for Scouts Rally SA were:
= 1st Jack Monkhouse/ Dale Moscatt – Datsun 180B SSS
= 1st Jeff David/ Grant Geelan – Porsche 911
=3rd Keith Callinan/Mary- Anne Callinan – Ford Escort RS 1800
=3rd Barry Lowe/Helen pearl – Holden Commodore
- 5th Darryn Snooks/ Matt Devaus – Datsun Stanza
- 6th Brendan Brown/Correne Seabrook -Datsun 180B SSS
- 7th Brad Gibson/Ryan Hazelwood – Datsun 1600
ACRA’s Classics will now focus on the International Rally of Queensland at the end of July – where the FIA has provided special dispensation for the Classics to run at the front of the field.
It’s recognition of the part these crews and cars played in the development of modern Rally competition. A full field of Classics will run and with over 290K of competitive driving, International Rally Queensland will be a rally not to be missed.
With the new Coates Super Special stage on Friday night 30th of July in Caloundra, spectators will be treated to a sensational driving display, showcasing the golden era of Rallying. For more details visit www.rallyqueensland.com.au
ENDS
Dallas Dogger – ACRA Media
Photos: Jack Monkhouse – winner, Jeff David, Keith Callinan – Photos by Stuart Bowes Photographer. Hi res on request.