By Barry Lindsay

The Tyneside Stages were held on the Otterburn military ranges at the beginning of August. A counting round of the North of England Tarmac & SG Petch ANECCC but also the REIS National Tarmac Championships. 67 crews lined up to start the event on the Sunday morning, two crews from Spadeadam. Peter Taylor started at 6 in the Border Caravans Focus WRC and Barry & Michael Lindsay in the 106 at 23.

Stages were slightly damp in places and the skies threatened to rain at any time, so tyre choice was a lottery.

Three stages before service Barry & Michael had opened up a good class lead and were 2^nd front wheel drive, while Peter was mixing it with the WRC’s and Darrians at the front. Knocked a mirror off which was returned by the Spadeadam fan club.

A repeat of the same three saw times tumble and the top crews beating the bogie time. Barry & Michael were now also mirror less, the big bale chicanes smashing both.

Change of stages as crews headed to the faster, straighter part of the range and Peter put up a fight smashing the bumper and taking the wing (and the other mirror!) off the focus ( all returned by the Spadeadam fan club! to service) all was in vain as they along with a few others beat the bogie. Barry & Michael went well had a big moment on a square left (see pic) and were only 19sec off the bogie time. They were also catching the leading front wheel drive Fiesta so there was still a fight.

Repeat of those stages. No major changes other than Barry & Michael moved into the lead of the front wheel drive cars. For the last stage it was a case of holding position and no risks. But when Barry & Michael got passed by the car that set off 30seconds behind Barry thought he was backed off too much!

Tyneside Stages Results

4^th OA 2^nd Class   Peter Taylor & Andrew Roughead

12^th OA 1^st Class    Barry & Michael Lindsay

(Images © J. Baumgart / Y. Petry/  Spadeadam Motor Club 2013)