Herefordshire Motor Club duo's Northumberland class win (From Hereford Times)

Herefordshire Motor Club duo's Northumberland class win

5:00pm Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in Sport

HEREFORDSHIRE rally aces Darren and Sue Underwood turned in a classwinning performance in the sixth round of the REIS–Get Connected MSA Asphalt Rally Championship in Otterburn, Northumberland.

The Leominster pairing were facing strong opposition among the 15 contenders in their class, including local 1600cc hero Barry Lindsay with his father Michael codriving in a Peugeot 106, Kevin Monaghan and Steve Dargan in a Vauxall Corsa and the Tappin brothers – Kevin and Charles who were competing in a Ford Escort at the event.

The Underwoods were slightly conservative on the opening test which they finished 10 seconds behind the Lindsays and five behind the Tappin’s before cutting the margin on both challengers over the next two tests.

The battle continued all day and the Conference Care supported Nova crew managed to steal some more time out of the Lindsays, who were being matched by the Tappins.

Going into the last 17-mile stage, a harder tyre was fitted to the rear of the Nova for the final attack with the Underwoods holding a 23-second advantage over the other crews but knew the first part was Lindsay territory.

The Herefordshire crew held their place, though, and lost only six seconds to take the class win by 17 seconds and finish a respectable seventh overall.

Maximum class points means that that, with three championship rounds remaining, the possibility of class victory is on the cards.