Former HERO Cup Champion Stephen Owens back in winners circle with x7 Lejog Gold Medal winner Iain Tullie alongside

The Peak District and its incredible network of scenic roads provided the tableau for 2022 HERO Cup Champion Stephen Owens with record holding x 7 LeJog Gold Medal winner Iain Tullie navigating, to win the opening round of the HERO Challenge Championship by 25 seconds after six regularities and tests. With no separate Masters Class in the series, all crews are eligible for the overall wins, so Owens and Tullie now lead the ultra-competitive championship in which each of the three counting rounds is fought out over a single hard day’s rallying.

A massive 105 cars started the rally, indicating the popularity of the format, with 98 finishers all raving about the route, the tests and the regularities. ‘‘It was a brilliantly organised rally with a fantastic route and superb tests, there were few holdups or obstacles and everyone enjoyed a brilliant day rallying in the Peak District’’ said fourth place finisher James Holt, who along with former double HERO Challenge Drivers Champion turned navigator, Alistair Leckie, made a miraculous recovery from being on their sides in a ditch in their BMW 325i, losing just seven minutes of road rime.

John King debuted yet another new steed following in the tracks of his Dolomite and giant killing Toyota MR2.This time in an unlikely second place podium winning Lotus Elan 2 + 2! It turned up at scrutineering misfiring with flames shooting up from the carburettors until ‘SuperSweep’ Pete Banham got to work tuning the carbs. Despite being a ‘bit of a pig’ to drive as John described it, he was delighted with the car’s debut and the work of his navigator, the ever cheerful Mike Cochran, who couldn’t quite believe the result they had achieved in a car they both thought might not make the distance!

As the plume of champagne spray began to settle, there was a ringing round of applause on the podium in front of rally HQ, the CASA Hotel in Chesterfield. The experienced winners, messers Owens, Tullie, King and Cochrane, spontaneously applauded the 16 year old ‘Bob Rutherford Scholarship for Young Navigators’ winner Miles Fieldhouse, who had just secured the final podium place navigating Dave Alcock in his Datsun 280Z. Remarkably, Miles is literally off the back of winning on his HERO-ERA debut in the Novice Trial three weeks ago, his first of four fully funded events as part of his prize. “There was a great entry on this event, but to see more youngsters, and particularly Miles doing doing so well, is heartening for us all and especially good for the sport,” said winner Stephen Owens.

In fact mention must be made of 15 year old Zac Valentine who made his debut on the regularity rally stage, navigating his father Mick in their Ford Escort, Zac saying he felt he had it ‘under control’ which he did, finishing 13^th overall and third in class with dad.

The incredible three tests near Hulme End on the edge of Ecton Hill, were enjoyed by most, except for the unfortunate Hillman Imp which broke a half shaft, as they were very ‘special stage’ like with a lot of rally cars committed to sideways action. However, as we talk rallying, HERO-ERA and its Challenge One event was both pleased and grateful to former rally star Steve Perez, for the use of part of his Walton Lodge estate for the super tests in his grounds to start and finish the rally. This included slithering through part of the farm roads between the cowsheds and enabling the event to base its HQ at his Casa Hotel in Chesterfield.

As a small thank you, HERO-ERA Competition Director Guy Woodcock invited two of the Dansport Rally team, based at Walton Lodge, to take part in HERO Challenge One. Daniel Sutherland and Tom Gill had a whale of a time as they proved very quick in Seb Perez’ national historic 2024 championship winning Porsche 911 2.7 RS on the tests, but not so good on the road and regularity sections as navigator Tom Gill said; “I think we won the prize for using the most fuel as we went wrong so often!” Whilst Daniel, who was still grinning from the experience at the finish line joked; “Yes it’s Seb’s Porsche, he won’t mind, we borrowed it whilst he is away in Spain!”

It was also good to see regular HERO-ERA competitor Mike Farrell back in action with his navigator Zach Burns in their 1935 Jaguar SS90. Mike is a seasoned motorcycle racer, but broke his hip, shoulder and many more bones in a big accident at one of the Goodwood motorbike races last year and has only recently been out of his wheelchair. Mike said; “Its good to be back but we are both a bit rusty, we need the practice as we have the Flying Scotsman soon, and then I’ll be back on the bike as well!”

John King and Mike Cochrane, Lotus Elan 2 + 2, 2^nd overall

Mike, “No, we didn’t expect this at all, not at all, but what a fantastic day and with this beast of a car, but we had a great driver with a fantastic result, so we are very pleased.”

John; “She was even misfiring badly off the line, which probably cost us five seconds on each test! But don't worry, guys,(to the others on the podium), she's a pig to drive, but it was always going to be work in progress. But we are chuffed with second, although, I just do the things Mike tells me, and where to go, it’s down to him, he’s been great! However, this car is going to need a bit of attention!”

Stephen Owens and Iain Tullie, Porsche 911 SWB, 1^st overall

Iain; “I think we probably had a bit of good fortune. No hold ups on any of the regularities, but Stephen was driving really well on the tests, so it was very enjoyable, we set good times against the people in our class. It was just a really enjoyable, clean day. We weren't really thinking about the result, but we're very fortunate to be in the position we're in, so we are delighted to win.”

Stephen; “It's nice to be here, but it's good to share it with such distinguished company, especially the King (John) himself. We've had a good rally, it's been a good day. I feel that the marshals, and organisers did an extremely good job despite the wheather at the end letting us all down a bit! But what a fabulous day, but what a great field! A lot of young new blood is coming into the sport, we saw that today, and over 100 entries, fantastic, a great result all round.” 

Dave Alcock and Miles Fieldhouse, Datsun 280Z 3^rd overall

Miles. “Oh yes, I’m really pleased with today and the result, it was perfect, really good to get a great end to the day. I know it’s only just beginning, but now I am really looking forward to Hero Challenge Two to see what we can do there. A big thanks to Dave for having me, and for his great driving, it was a great team effort.”

Dave; “I mean, for these seniors here to be applauding Miles, top people from the sport, it is amazing, I’m just really honoured to come and take him out today. It was fantastic and I was not expecting this either, but I should have done, as I've told him, it's all down to him.”