Cruttenden’s second championship title

Date published: 08 November 2011

Joe Cruttenden from Newhey became the MSA English Junior Rally champion at the weekend, by taking a second in class on the Tempest Rally based in Hampshire.

Joe, already BTRDA 1400L Champion, needed to just finish the Tempest rally to secure the 2011 English Co-driver championship alongside driver, Matt Griffin - who also became Junior Driver champion.

The final round of the Championship used both the forests of Hampshire and some MOD land around Aldershot, giving the pair, in their Mazda 2, a variety of surfaces to cope with.

“The stages were very slippery and along with the other competitors we struggled for grip over the first few stages, resulting in a slight off, “said Cruttenden.

The duo knew they had to take it steady, but still set some good stage times despite unfortunately having an issue with the lighting system needed on the last few stages.

“We had to do the last pair of forest stages on headlights only, as the auxiliary lighting system was not available,” said Cruttenden, “It made travelling at speed between trees and not being able to see very far in front interesting.”

Joe has had a rewarding season, winning the BTRDA, English and ANWCC co-driver championships, as well as taking awards on two international events.