Paynter Crowned National 1400 Rally Champion After Tough Event On Otterburn Ranges

Bill Paynter scored a strong points finish on the final round of the Protyre MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship to claim the 1400 championship title.

Following a big crash last time out at the Wervik Rally in Belgium, when the accelerator pedal

jammed on into a tight corner, the car had undergone a major rebuild with many new panels

required.

With the car ready just in time, the team set off to the Otterburn Ranges on the Scottish Border, just north of Newcastle, for the last round of this years MSA National championship, the Cheviot Stages Rally.

After what had been quite a big accident in Belgium, Paynter and stand in co-driver Andy Hall

planned to take things steady, building their confidence and pace throughout the day. Conditions

were very difficult, with heavy rain and some snow and ice still present on the peaks. This was not

helped by a power steering issue on the first loop of stages, but the crew made it through.

The second loop felt much better, as Bill started to feel more comfortable and build the pace,

continuing to take a risk free approach. On SS5 however, the crews confidence was knocked, after

arriving second on the scene at a big crash, with a car upside down blocking the road. The team

immediately sprung into action, giving assistance to the injured co-driver, who it was later

discovered had a fractured spine from the accident.

With the ambulance crew on scene and taking over, Paynter and Hall had to immediately head onto the next stage, and understandably took it steady, before returning to the service area where they would have a quick 10 minutes to gather their thoughts.

On the next stage SS7, things would get worse. After completing the majority of the stage the team

again came across another big accident. An old Morris Mini had a huge roll with the car eventually coming to a rest over 100 metres away from the road. Both crew members were injured, but out of the car lying on the floor when Paynter and Hall arrived on scene, again lending there assistance before the driver and co-driver were taken to hospital.

Both Bill and Andy were very shaken by the scenes that they had witnessed, and headed back to

service to try and reset their minds, knowing that a finish was needed to secure the championship.

They bravely soldiered on, taking it very steady on the following stage.

With the penultimate stage cancelled, again due to another accident on the infamous Otterburn

Ranges, Paynter and Hall cruised through the last stage to come home 12th place in the overall

championship standings, but most importantly with enough points for Paynter to win the 1400

category of the MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship.

“It’s been a year of up’s and down’s. From the highs of winning on Epynt and getting a great result on the Isle of Man, to the lows of the crash in Belgium, and a difficult day on Otterburn, but overall I’m delighted. Having only competed at one of the venues previously, and missing two rounds whilst I rebuilt the car after the accident, I’m absolutely delighted to have come away as champion.” said Paynter.

Bill thanked main sponsors Hilka Tools and especially Autobodytec based in Chard for their help

throughout the season, as well as service team members Scott, Charlie, Penny and Maaike for their support. If you would like to know more and keep up with the teams adventures then give the BP Rally Facebook page a like.