Husband and wife team, Paul and Mary-Ellen Kane, have a truly democratic relationship. Not only will they share the experience of the Kenya Airways Safari Classic together, but they will also share the wheel of their Mustang GT 350H.
Both of them are big classic motor sport fans and both of them like to drive Their first event was La Carrera Panamericana in 1989 in a 1954 Jaguar XK 120. At the time they lived in Florida so they drove the XK 120 down to Southern Mexico, finished the event on the Texan border then drove back home again. Prior to this they had no motor sport background, just a fondness for old cars. But as Paul says “the bug bit and there was no going back”.
They competed in the Panamericana for another five years, including a year where Mary-Ellen also entered her 1957 Porsche 356. However they found that getting two cars prepared and keeping them in the rally made things a bit more “complicated” so, on the whole, they tend to enter just one car in the longer events and share the driving. “Since we both prefer to drive, we alternate driving every other day,” they say. “We’re both out to have fun and navigating is more stressful. But we get along well in the car. The main issue is full trust in both directions, no matter which one of us is in which seat.”
So what happens if something does go wrong? “Usually, we don't both suffer brain fade at the same time,” says Paul. “But when we do we try not to point fingers. Whatever goes wrong, we both did it...we're both there, together in the car. When that doesn't work, it's simple...she's right and I'm wrong!”
Continue reading "East African Safari Rally: a true team!"
Banbury driver Richard Tuthill and co-driver John Bennie took a comfortable victory on the Isle of Man Historic Rally, supported by Conister Trust,as the top three remained unchanged on Saturdays concluding stages.
The Porsche 911 pairing eventually won by almost two minutes, with Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James (Ford Escort MkII) second, and 2006 winners David Stokes/Guy Weaver (MkI) third.
Martin Freestone was the top local driver with Michelle Calvert in the MkII, while former winner Steven Smith had to settle for fourth in his Porsche. And Adrian Kermode rounding out the top 6.
Championship registrations for the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship have reached record levels in 2007 and broke the 200-mark during build up to the Isle of Man Historic Rally at the weekend (19-21 July).
With registrations remaining open until round six, the Harry Flatters Rally on 5 August, the total number of registered competitors is now 104 drivers and 97 co-drivers, making it the first time that over 200 competitors have registered for the BHRC.
Already, 99 drivers and 93 co-drivers have scored championship points by competing on at least one event. That compares with total scorers in 2006 of 79 drivers and 57 co-drivers.
The BHRC, managed by the Historic Rally Car Register, has three rounds remaining in 2007, with the Harry Flatters followed by the Tour of Flanders (8/9 September) and the Trackrod Historic Rally (6 October).
An impressive field of 14 Lola sports cars will take centre stage at this year’s prestigious Silverstone Classic (27 – 29 July). The golden wonders from Lola will range from the Mk 1, the first car built by the world’s oldest and most successful manufacturer of race cars, the T70, which put Lola at the forefront of world motorsport, through to the Mk 4, which signified the company’s first involvement in Formula One.
Two privately owned Lola Mk 1 race cars will be competing in the Duncan Hamilton Trophy. Established in 1958 by founder Eric Broadley, the Mk 1 was the start of Lola’s extraordinary rise to fame. The Mk 1, driven by Eric Broadley was the first sports car of any size to lap Brands Hatch in under one minute, and it will now go head-to-head against 15 other marques at this year’s international classic race at Silverstone.
The Hagerty World Sportscar Masters could well be the most spectacular race of the weekend. A grand total of nine Lola cars, including five iconic T70’s, will compete against a range of race cars from the late 1960s, with the drivers battling it out over 90 minutes during the Saturday evening ‘dusk race’, which finishes at 9pm. The 1962 Lola Mk 4 will be racing in the John Cooper Trophy for HGPCA pre 1966 Grand Prix cars.
Providing Lola with its first taste of Formula One action, the Mk 4 was initially driven by John Surtees and Roy Salvadori. Surtees’ achievements in the Mk 4 included second position in the British and German Grand Prix and fourth overall in the 1962 World Championship. Surtees will also be remembered for his Mk 4 winning drive at the non-championship ‘2000 Guineas’ race at Mallory Park.
The Lola Mk 5 and Mk 5a will complete the wide variety of Lola cars competing at the Silverstone Classic. In 1963 both cars claimed a number of wins in the Formula Junior category, notably the support race at the Monaco Grand Prix. The following year this class was replaced by Formula 3. Martin Birrane, Executive Chairman of Lola Cars commented, “Lola applauds the dedication of the private owners racing at the Silverstone Classic, who work tirelessly to preserve the history of our sport.
Next year Lola will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the vast array of Lola cars racing at Silverstone is a wonderful testament to the company’s successes in motorsport.” Supporting the notable Lola collection racing at the Silverstone Classic, a display will be set up next to the ‘art and photo gallery’ area of the entertainment zone, showcasing the Motorsport, Technology and Manufacturing divisions of Lola.
Continue reading "Golden wonders line up at the Silverstone Classic"
By all accounts, the 25th anniversary Great Race proved to be a success with 72 teams starting in Concord, North Carolina amid the cheers of 10,000 racing fans and 54 teams crossing the finish line in Anaheim, California to another large Southern California crowd.
Bob LaBine and Charlie Wheeler, his 15-year old nephew proved to be the best, finishing 1st and going home with a total of $39,000 in cash and prizes. (Learn More)
The racers stopped at 44 different communities throughout their journey and left with many, many memories. But when all was said and done, Big Bear Valley had the missing ingredient, fans lining the roads leading up the mountain and into town, similar to Le Tour de France and reminiscent of the early years of the Great Race. That enthusiasm was enough to win the hearts of Great Racers and the Great American City award worth $5,000 for their local library. (More)
ENTER THE NEW FALL CLASSIC!
It’s time to sign up for the 2007 Coker Tire Challenge. The Coker Tire Challenge features three days of spirited Great Race competition, camaraderie and activities along with some southern hospitality, courtesy of Corky Coker, president of Coker Tire. The Coker Tire Challenge takes place September 21-23, 2007 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Learn More)
Sensational - Walter Roehrl, often called "the best rallye driver of all times", is participating in the 5. Classic Rallye Trieste-Vienna (August 22nd - 25th, 2007). He is driving the full rallye in our race class, on a Bilstein Porsche 911 RS 3.0.
The rallye consists of two classes: Race and Competition (Regularity). In race class (FIA appendix K), we have planned more than 200 kilometres of full speed. Up to 10 special stages are on the schedule - two "Linn High Therm" race tracks, three hill climbs, two or three classic rally special stages (no gravel or sand) plus a superstage.
In competition class (regularity), there again is a mix of secret and open measure points, plus known and unknown lengths of special stages. The number of special stages has been increased again.
Already 100 teams are participating, there is a small number of entries still available until end of July.
For further information, please contact the organization team or look at http://www.wientriest.at !
Banbury driver Richard Tuthill and co-driver John Bennie took a comfortable victory on the Isle of Man Historic Rally, supported by Conister Trust,as the top three remained unchanged on Saturdays concluding stages.
An impressive field of 14 Lola sports cars will take centre stage at this year’s prestigious Silverstone Classic (27 – 29 July). The golden wonders from Lola will range from the Mk 1, the first car built by the world’s oldest and most successful manufacturer of race cars, the T70, which put Lola at the forefront of world motorsport, through to the Mk 4, which signified the company’s first involvement in Formula One.
By all accounts, the 25th anniversary Great Race proved to be a success with 72 teams starting in Concord, North Carolina amid the cheers of 10,000 racing fans and 54 teams crossing the finish line in Anaheim, California to another large Southern California crowd.