January 29, 2006
Husband and wife team clinch top spot at 2006 Brean Rally
Husband and wife rally team Steve and Yvonne Furzeland raced to overall victory at the 2006 Brean Regency Stages Rally on Sunday afternoon.
The Plymouth couple scooped the first prize after a blistering round in their Impreza WRC, narrowly beating Steve Winter and co-driver Neil Dashfield from Minehead.
Hundreds of rally enthusiasts from across the country gathered at Brean Leisure Park for the popular event, which this year celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Yvonne told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We’ve been trying to win this event for ten years so we’re over the moon to have finally won!”
“We’ve had several seconds and thirds over the years, but never had such a good event as this one. The Brean Rally is superb – it’s a small and very demanding course – and we love it.”
The weather stayed cold but dry for the whole weekend – and although it was icy on both mornings the drivers took the conditions in their stride. There were several accidents on Saturday, but nothing major on the Sunday.
The team leading the event at the end of Saturday’s stages was Steve Winter and co-driver Neil Dashfield who had a six-second lead over Steve and Yvonne from Plymouth – but that lead was trimmed back during the course of Sunday and by the end of the event the husband and wife team won by 23 seconds.
Steve, from Watchet, came overall second. The 46-year-old, who runs Brent Cars Ltd at Brent Knoll in Somerset, competed in a Subaru Impreza, which was used by ralliers Tommi Makinen and Petter Solberg in the 2002 World Rally Championship.
Steve, who has more than 25 years experience rallying and is a member of Minehead Motor Club, recorded a time of 52 minutes and 48 seconds. His co-driver for the event was Neil Dashfield, aged 26, from Burnham-On-Sea.
Clerk of the Course Chris House told Burnham-On-Sea.com the weekend had been a great success, adding: “It’s been a great weekend. It all ran very smoothly and the weather was great for us.”
Sponsored by Regency Insurance Brokers and organised by Weston Motor Club, the two-day rally features 12 special stages within the Leisure Park covering 50 miles. Over 80 competitors took part in 2006. The event is the opening round of three major championships – the Association South West, The Association Central Southern and the Cotsworld Motorsports Group.
.2006 Brean Rally Final Results
Overall results at the end of the 2006 Rally:
1st Car 4 Steve Furzeland & Yvonne Furzeland 52:25
2nd Car 5 Steve Winter & Neil Dashfield 52:48
3rd Car 15 Jamie Vincent & Richard Walters 54:32
4th Car 22 Steve Snook & Steve Harkness 54:44
5th Car 12 Dave Parnell & Pete Bold 55:17
6th Car 30 Martin Williams & Simon Harraway 55:37
7th Car 6 Andrew Orchard & Phillipa LeCoadou 55:50
8th Car 14 Colin Knott & Jan Knott 55:56
9th Car 9 Kerry Michael & Mark Phillips 55:58
10th Car 19 Tim Porter & Dave Warner 56:06
Winner, Class A
George Mullins & Des Wood
Winner, Class B
David Edmunds & Dom Jeans
Winner, Class C
Dave Parnell & Pete Bold
Winner, Class D
Alex Jones & David Pearce
Winner, Class E
Steve Furzeland & Yvonne Furzeland
Berrow Rally Day Two Photo Round-Up:
Burnham’s Jamie Vincent and Richard Walters in action at the 2006 Rally
Jamie Vincent and Richard Walters receive their award from Russell Brookes
Andrew Orchard and co-driver Phillipa LeCoadou were in fifth spot overall
Co-driver Neil Dashfield watches the air display at the 2006 Brean Rally
The ‘Utterly Butterlys’ fly wing-walking team fly over the Rally
In sixth place were Martin Williams and Simon Harraway
All-time-great Russell Brookes did a special lap in his own rally car
The winners with their trophies at the end of the prize ceremony
Prizes were presented by Vamps dancers Lucy and Erica
.Burnham-On-Sea’s Web site mentioned on top rally car!
Burnham-On-Sea’s Web site had a high-profile mention on a top local car at the 2006 Brean Rally!
The Burnham-On-Sea.com logo was proudly displayed on the front and rear of a Ford Escort driven by local drivers Alex Jones and Dave Pearce.
The super-fast car – which was decorated by local company Online Grafix – won the Class D trophy.
RELATED LINKS:
2006 Brean Regency Stages Rally – Day One Report
2006 Brean Regency Stages Rally Preview
2005 Brean Regency Stages Rally won by Duncan Holder
2005 Brean Regency Stages Rally – Day One Report
Photos of the 2005 Brean Regency Stages Rally [External site]
