Rally Isle of Man 17-19th July 2008 entry, it used to be known as The Manx Rally

Posted by Scott Coursey 9 July, 2008

The Rally Isle of Man has a somewhat subdued feel about it compared to it being one of the best events in Europe back in the 70's and 80's. Various reasons have conspired against the event over the last ten years or so but maybe S2000 will revamp it in a couple of years time.

This year's main focus of attention will be the BRC battle between the Higgin's bros, Wilks and hopefully Stuart Jones if the MG performs like it did on the Jim Clark. Of the ITRC, well, it suffers the lowest turn out ever on this year's Manx with the credit crunch taking full effect and the title in the bag, well practically anyway. Eamonn Boland who has dominated the year is the only overall title contender present and is only one of two WRCars present. All in all the event is lacking a top class field and Iam sure it looks enviously at the likes of Ypres which maintains it's tradition yet is still one of the most important dates in Europe.

This year's Manx marks the end of the Ford Escort's International career as the homologation runs out. The Escort first appeared 40 years ago on the 1968 San Remo Rally. Guy Woodcock has the honour of driving the Escort on it's last event in a F2 Escort Maxi.

EDIT: Melvyn Evans has withdrawn his entry so there will only be one WRCar contesting the rally.

When the Manx was best

TR's 1979

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FSBlMTtS9w

On board Vatanen 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3MAi9Z6AKk

1981

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOEyrINcFL0

1982

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og4UXHiC8fE

In-car Vatanen 1983

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R7ws741KpE

1984

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pCbU6IljXA

1985

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_3SdHrRAw

Snijers 1988

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiBoP7tcG_s

Rally Isle of Man 2008 Top Twenty Entry

1 Eamonn Boland/Damien Morrissey (Subaru Impreza S12)
2 Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally (Subaru Impreza S11)
3 Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Mitsubishi Evo 9)
4 Mark Higgins/Rory Kennedy (Subaru Impreza N11)
5 David Higgins/Ieuan Thomas (Subaru Impreza N14)
6 Phillip Morrow/Daniel Barritt (Mitsubishi Evo 9)
7 Stuart Jones/Andy Bull (MG S2000 Sport)
8 Kevin Kelleher/Martin Kelleher (Mitsubishi Evo 9)
9 Darren Gass/Neil Shanks (Mitsubishi Evo 9)
10 James Wozencroft/Chris Ridge (Subaru Impreza N11)
11 Wyn Humphreys/Robert Fagg (Subaru Impreza N12)
12 Jonathan Greer/Jonny Hart (Mitsubishi Evo 9)
14 Robert Swann/Darren Garrod (Subaru Impreza N14)
15 John McGlaughlin/David Moynihan (Mitsubishi Evo 9)
16 Paul Curphey/Mark Perryman (Mitsubishi Evo 9)
17 Guy Woodcock/John Skinner (Ford Escort Maxi kit car)
18 Brian O'Mahony/John Higgins (Renault Clio S1600)
19 Adam Gould/Seb Marshall (Renualt Clio Ragnotti)
20 Andreas Sjolander/Hakan Jacobsson (Ford Fiesta Sti)