Summer Trial

After 366 miles the Summer Trial 2024 has returned from its final loop, with victory going to Dick and Harry Baines in their familiar red Austin Mini Cooper. After a final leg of 97 miles, featuring four regularities and three tests, following on from the 16 competitive sections from the first two legs, the top three were split by just 5 seconds.

The fight was a tight one, that went all the way to the end. At the midpoint of the final morning, just 8 seconds separated the top three, with the best of the days competition so far belonging to James Holt and Pete Johnson in third, losing only two seconds in penalties and pulling ten seconds back on the Baines in second, who had seen the gap to the top increase slightly.

Elsewhere in the field, Ed Linton and John Youd in the Hillman Imp had found their way into the top ten, with 15 seconds of penalty, and the fourth best score across the two regularities and two tests that had been contested so far. Christopher Day and Claire Day were also consolidating their position as best Novice Trial graduates, with 17 seconds, helped by another pair of fastest test times. The lead though, was still held by Rob Robinson and Matt Outhwaite, with the top two still having a joker in hand, should they need it.

The final two regularities were somewhat tit for tat, with the top three trading seconds here and there, but with no definitive movement. Then came the final test, and a cone error for the leading Mazda that would prompt a ten second swing in the chasing Mini’s favour, switching first and second places at the death. For a rally that has been fought over tight margins, it was perhaps a worthy ending, but also a rotten blow to Robinson and Outhwaite, who had performed superbly throughout the event.

Consistency is key, though, and the little red Mini of the Baines had sat steadfastly in second place throughout the event. After finishing on the podium the previous year, in third position, the winners were delighted, and navigator Harry Baines had this to say on his and his father’s victory: “It was another good rally, interesting at times with some harsh weather conditions, particularly on the test yesterday afternoon. It was very close at the top and very competitive. It’s the sixth podium for us now and a fourth win, so we’re very pleased.”

It was best of the rest and thoughts of what might have been then, for Rob Robinson and Matt Outhwaite in second, in the end just two seconds behind the Baines. Rob was feeling somewhat reflective, but still pleased, and had these thoughts on their second place; “We’re pleased and disappointed at the same time, if I hadn’t hit a cone on the last test we would have come first, but it’s still brilliant to come second.”

Third place then for James Holt and Pete Johnson, and a podium to kick off this new partnership. Pete Johnson, over from the Isle of Man for the event had this to say: “Very pleased with ourselves, third overall in our first rally together, we are chuffed to bits” As well they should be, with tremendous form on the tests and finishing only five seconds adrift of the overall lead, and 44 seconds ahead of fourth place.

From the bumper entry of 85, 80 would finish, in a field that featured a broad breadth of different experience, and cars spread across different eras. Second placed navigator Matt Outhwaite declared the event to be ‘another fantastic Summer Trial’ with a ‘brilliant route’, and despite the somewhat unseasonable weather on the second day it was largely smiles all round for the now traditional summer rally. We can’t wait to do it all again next summer.