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Bulldog Rally 2010

Posted on April 5th, 2010 by Lewis Inwood

Callum Black Bulldog Rally Press Release

Date of Rally: 27th March 2010
Championship: BRC Challenge
Competitors:
61 – Chris Peart (Astra 2.0l)
62- Simon Moore (Clio 2.0l)
63- Julian Wilkes (Nova 1.4l)
64- Callum Black (MG ZR 1.4l)
65- Russ Thompson (Clio 2.0l)
66- Jonathan Cunningham (Fiesta ST 2.0l)

(17 Drivers in total)

Saturday 27th March saw Callum attack the Bulldog stages, in his third rally of 2010 and his 1st attack on the BRCC (British Rally Challenge Championship). The rally was based in Welshpool and used famous stages such as Sweet Lamb Rally Complex.

Callums first stage was the longest stage he has ever done in his rally career thus far – 17 Miles of sweet lamb. Whilst finishing was important to get good points on the table, Callum had strong ambitions of being a strong contender from the start. Callum went 2nd quickest through Sweet Lamb, after the established Julian Wilkes in his more powerful S1400 Nova but beat the likes of the highly rated Russ Thompson and Simon Moore.

Despite a broken TCA bearing, Callum got back to service and planned an attack to put pressure on Julian Wilkes and go for the win. Callum decided to go for the softer compound of the new Hankook tyre and found further grip in the highly impressive Hankook tyre in the afternoon.

Callum claimed another 2nd fastest time in the 2nd stage through ‘Big Ray’ only 8 seconds behind Julian Wilkes. But the second half of the rally showed Callums maturity as he launched an attack, now he had confidence in the tyres and car as a package, he knew he could push on. The next 3 stages saw Callum take fastest stage times in every stage, taking 30 seconds back from leader Julian Wilkes. Unfortunately, Callum didn’t quite catch the impressive Julian Wilkes, but finished an established 2nd place. Although he didn’t claim the win, his pace shown clearly proves him as a serious contender for the championship and if he can pick up from where he left off, Callum will be going for the win on the Pirelli Rally.

At the end of the day, Callum commented:

“A hugely successful day, being fastest on 3 out of the 5 stages feels great and knowing we took no risks, were on new tyres that we didn’t know and again some very experienced and proven drivers with more powerful cars, it was a great result. I was a little disappointed I backed off too much on the opening stage, but I know that if I can take the momentum into the Pirelli we will be a serious contender.”

Callum is now lying:
2nd in BRCC
1st Junior in BRCC
3rd in the Millers Oil 1400cc championship
2nd MG ZR
1st BTRDA Junior Driver

News with Callum

Callum would like to send a special thank you to new Hankook Tyres for their support in selecting and supplying a brilliant tyre for his 2010 BRCC campaign.

The Pirelli Rally will be Callums next event, in the BRC Challenge on April 24th 2010.

All pictures are credited to ‘Geoff Mayes Media’.

Please keep looking for regular updates on www.callumblack.com, with recent you tube videos and pictures in the gallery.

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Malcolm Wilson Rally 2010

Posted on April 5th, 2010 by Lewis Inwood

 

Callum Black Malcolm Wilson Rally Press Release

Saturday 6th March saw Callum attack the Malcolm Wilson stages, in his second rally of 2010. The rally was based in cockermouth, west of Carlisle in the lake district, featuring the famous grizedale and greystoke stages.

With snow and ice in the forests, Callum was keen to get round in one piece and secure valuable points in the BTRDA Millers Oils 1400 Championship.

Stages 1 and 2 saw Callum take a cautious approach, and with spins on both stages, Callum dropped a lot of time and was frustrated at not being able to push on due to the icy conditions. Stage 3 only had a couple of icy patches and Callum managed to have a clean run, moving up the leaderboard. Stage 4 was another icy run, but Callum adapted well to the conditions, taking time out of championship rival Pinchin. The rally then moved to the grizedale stages, where Callum prooved his pace with 2 to 3 stage times, even though he got a puncture half way through the second Grizedale stage and was only 5 seconds off team mate Matt Edwards. The last stage then went back to the icy Greystoke where Callum knew it was important to drive for the finish as he was lying in 3rd. Despite a moment on an icy left hander half a mile from the end, Callum managed to take time out of the eventual 1400 winner, team mate Matt Edwards.

At the end of the day, Callum commented:

“It was another well needed experience, developing my ability to handle icy conditions is massively important. It was a frustrating start, spinning on the opening 2 stages and loosing so much time, but on the other hand, the grizedale stages were brilliant and I knew with my driving lines and neatness we would set a decent time through them. It was a shame to get a puncture on the longer grizedale stage, the car felt brilliant before and I found a brilliant rhythem, who knows wha time we would have set if it wasn’t for the puncutre, but the important aspect is were continually improving. I know need to continue working on my notes and every aspect of my rallying to keep moving on, and hopefully we can channel it into a decent result on the bulldog.”

Callum is now lying:
3rd in the Millers Oil 1400cc championship
2nd MG ZR
1st BTRDA Junior Driver

News with Callum

Callum would like to send a special thank you to new sponsor Trade Away and director Mark Springett for his help and commitment on the last few rallys.

A huge congratulations goes to Matt Edwards and the 586 Sports team, for a brilliant win! Two 586 Sports cars in the top 3 is a sensational result!

The Bulldog rally, in Welspool will be Callums next challenge as he looks to embark on the first round of the BRC Challenge.

Please keep looking for regular updates on www.callumblack.com, with recent you tube videos and pictures in the gallery. Also, please visit www.merallsport.co.uk, the home of Callums team mate, Matt Edwards, for his latest news.

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