Last weekend saw the return of the Shannonville Stages Rally, for round 2 of the Ontario Performance Rally Championship. Hosted by Peterborough Motorsports Club, the event was revived for 2023 in line with the Club’s 70th anniversary.
As the only tarmac and track based event on the calendar, this alone can bring a new set of challenges to competitors. Tire choices varied across the field with some on track tires, others on all-season and even some winter tires out there. Road conditions changed throughout the day, with huge puddles on track and muddy areas in the morning giving way to drier conditions as the event progressed. A track based event can also bring with it challenges due to motion sickness for some competitors, affecting both drivers and co-drivers, which we saw last week.
Taking 8 of the 11 stage wins, the US based Frog Racing Team of Emmanuel Cecchet and co-driver Jean-Sebastien Delisle took the overall event win by over 4 minutes. However, 2nd place overall went to the 2WD event winners Mark Toufanov & codriver David Bell. Also hailing from the US, Margaret Sharron and Amy Dilks in their 2004 Subaru Sti drove to a 3rd overall, but unfortunately finished out of the points due to a sickness induced co-driver swap mid-rally. This promoted 4th place Jim Morton and Mark Gonsalves in their 2WD Lancer into the spot. Morton and Toufanov kept the 2WD battle close all day with Toufanov & Bell winning out in the end, giving Morton/Gonsalves 2nd place. Grant Rawcliffe and co-driver Brandon Pace grabbed a stage win on the 3rd stage of the day, securing themselves the final step on the 2WD podium.
Full results can be found at Shannonville Stages & Sprint (pmsc.on.ca)
Full photo album can be found on the OPRC Facebook Page
Although it came with its own set of challenges the event was greatly enjoyed by all that attended. As usual, big thanks to the event organizers and volunteers for dedicating their time and to competitors for their support.
Thanks also goes to our prize fund sponsors of Clarington Hyundai, Enercare and Ontario Motor Sales from the previous 2 seasons. There was some ‘bonus’ money remaining from their generous support that we were able to hand out to eligible teams at the completion of the event.
Up next in the 2023 season we are heading back to the familiar gravel roads in Catchacoma for the Black Bear Rally in August. Keep an eye on the event’s website for more information and supplementary regulations once available www.mlrc.ca/blackbear
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