By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    Maserati enthrals at FuoriConcorso with GT2 Stradale and MCXtrema
    May 14, 2025
    Leapmotor presents its range at Automobile Barcelona, Spain
    May 14, 2025
    Alfa Romeo sporting glory dominates “Fuori Concorso”
    May 13, 2025
    Market Art Fair Stockholm and BMW Sweden present Gregor Hildebrandt as artist for BMW Art Commission 2025
    May 13, 2025
    Driving Trade Forward: AfCFTA, AGOA,BRICS and the Tariffs – All On The Menu At Automechanika CEO Breakfast
    May 9, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    Desmo450 MX: Production of the first Ducati Motocross bike begins
    May 28, 2025
    25YM Honda NC750X
    May 13, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RS
    May 2, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RT
    April 30, 2025
    Honda NC750X Named Winner in 2025 Red Dot Design Award
    April 10, 2025
  • News
    NewsShow More
    Toyota Mobility Foundation announces five finalists for $3 million Venice Sustainable Cities Challenge
    May 29, 2025
    Mazda Production and Sales Results for April 2025
    May 29, 2025
    Nissan production, sales, and exports for April 2025
    May 29, 2025
    Honda Production, Sales and Export Results for April, 2025
    May 29, 2025
    Škoda Auto marks 55 years since production of the Skopak began in Pakistan
    May 29, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    FIAT unveils the manifesto Grande Panda 4×4
    May 20, 2025
    Renault 4 Savane 4×4 Concept makes its global debut at Roland-Garros 2025
    May 16, 2025
    Hyundai Motor and Plus Unveil Concept for Autonomous Hydrogen Freight Ecosystem at ACT Expo 202
    May 2, 2025
    Hyundai Motor Unveils the new IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 6 N Line
    April 5, 2025
    Kia and LG Electronics Partner to Showcase New PBV Concepts for Work and Play
    April 4, 2025
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    Kosmas “Dudie” Mamaloukos – The Formidable Racing Talent
    May 15, 2025
    Hi-Range Safari City
    Hi-Range Safari City – The Premier outfitter for 4×4 customization
    May 15, 2025
    BEHIND THE SCENES: ARCHIE RUTHERFORD ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BRING THE W2RC TO SOUTH AFRICA
    May 9, 2025
    Europe and China’s automotive future in a shifting global order
    May 5, 2025
    Sourcing Guide Right-Hand Drive American SUVs and Pickup Trucks in Africa
    April 29, 2025
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    SEAT S.A. moves towards electric car production in Martorell
    May 29, 2025
    Polestar 3 wins Best EV SUV and Luxury Car of the Year awards
    May 29, 2025
    All-New Nissan MICRA EV debuts ahead of European launch
    May 28, 2025
    BMW Group and Solid Power are testing all-solid-state battery cells in a BMW i7
    May 20, 2025
    Toyota Debuts Stylish, Powerful 2026 C-HR Battery Electric Vehicle
    May 18, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    43rd Rally Due Valli: Lancia Ignites Verona with a High-Tension Challenge
    May 29, 2025
    Lærke Rønn, Alexia Danielsson, Rasmus Vendelbo, Porsche Sprint Challenge Scandinavia, 2025, Porsche AG
    The schoolgirl who’s just won her debut GT race
    May 28, 2025
    Porsche with new qualifying record and ongoing points streak ahead of China
    May 28, 2025
    Nissan Formula E Team looking to reinforce championship lead in Shanghai
    May 28, 2025
    Opel Mokka GSE Rally: A New Star in Electric Rallying
    May 28, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    MAN development team for autonomous driving is ‘Engineering Team of the Year’
    May 29, 2025
    Scania to start deliveries of new electric buses to northern Sweden
    May 29, 2025
    From left to right: Jens Böther, Regional Council; Nikolas Wenzel, Managing Director of MOIN; Claudia Kalisch, Mayor of Lüneburg; Alex Meier, Depot Manager; Nils Richert, Daimler Buses
    Daimler Buses builds a completely new electric bus depot for a customer for the first time
    May 28, 2025
    600 km range and superfast charging – meet Volvo’s new electric truck
    May 20, 2025
    Vandijck Transport tests the eActros 600 on a long-haul route of over 1,500 kilometers
    Vandijck Transport tests the eActros 600 
    May 18, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    GR Supra pushes performance limits with A90 Final Edition and Lightweight EVO
    May 28, 2025
    The new BMW M2 CS
    May 28, 2025
    Defender upgraded: The unstoppable 4×4 is now even more distinctive 
    May 28, 2025
    From vision to Veyron: the evolution of a Bugatti icon
    May 17, 2025
    The new Mercedes-Maybach SL Monogram Series
    May 13, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    VNC Automotive Partners with P3 to Enhance the SPARQ OS Platform
    May 29, 2025
    Artificial intelligence: Audi boosts production efficiency
    May 28, 2025
    Greater efficiency and productivity with artificial intelligence – generative AI in BMW Group Purchasing
    May 19, 2025
    Aston Martin debuts Apple CarPlay Ultra for iPhone users
    May 16, 2025
    Mercedes-Benz customers in Germany can now purchase and pay for e-Vignettes directly from their vehicle
    May 15, 2025
Hot News
SEAT S.A. moves towards electric car production in Martorell
Toyota Mobility Foundation announces five finalists for $3 million Venice Sustainable Cities Challenge
43rd Rally Due Valli: Lancia Ignites Verona with a High-Tension Challenge
Polestar 3 wins Best EV SUV and Luxury Car of the Year awards
Mazda Production and Sales Results for April 2025
Latest News

Aston Martin DBX S: A new flagship for the supercar of SUVs

Latest News

Volkswagen Group achieves robust annual results for 2023, with a strong fourth quarter

Latest News

BMW 5 Series claims the title of World Luxury Car 2024

Trucks & Buses

Scania accelerates deployment of autonomous hub-to-hub transport

Font ResizerAa
The Auto MagazineThe Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Search
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Follow US
Crafted by Intellegere Media. © 2024 The Auto Magazine. All rights reserved.
Motosport

Thomas and Mackay take victory in round five of the 2024 Defender Rally Series UK Championship

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: September 19, 2024 22:14
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
521 Views
6 Min Read
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE
  • Yorkshire Hill Rally: Round five of the 2024 Defender Rally Series UK Championship took place at the Yorkshire Hill Rally, with crews tackling more than 150km of competitive driving
  • Fourth win: Driver Mark Thomas and co-driver Phil Mackay finished in first position, achieving first in class and ninth overall in a field of highly specialised vehicles
  • Close competition: Nathan Burrell and Mathew Kirby finished in second, with only three minutes separating them from third place finishers Denis Ferry and Barney Gillespie
  • Championship lead: Thomas and Mackay remain top of the standings, extending their Championship advantage to 38 points
  • Chasing pack: Ferry and Gillespie move into second in the Championship, overtaking Richard Kingsley-Smith and Adel Tyson, who now find themselves in third in the Series standings
  • Testing conditions: Drivers and co-drivers faced a drastic shift in driving conditions as dry weather and sunshine made way for torrential downpours on the final day
  • Looking ahead: Entries are now open for the 2025 Defender Rally Series UK Championship, with experienced competitors and complete novices welcome

Round five of the 2024 Defender Rally Series UK Championship took place on 13 September at the inaugural Yorkshire Hill Rally, with Thomas and co-driver Mackay extending their points advantage in the UK Championship with another victory that saw them finish ninth overall at the event.

With three days of rallying taking in 152km of fierce competition over 16 stages, drivers raced across a brutal ex-military proving ground, traversing terrain spanning everything from farm fields to forest tracks. The flat course offered high-speed competition on Saturday, with drivers being tested on their ability to switch from fast, open terrain to more technical sections. Thomas’ strategy of employing lower tyre pressures and softer damping proved decisive, giving him a winning edge.

- Advertisement -
Ad image

Day three repeated the same stages as the previous day in reverse, but any lessons learned were rendered meaningless by a change in the weather. The previous hot and dry conditions gave way to heavy rain providing a fresh challenge and significantly lower grip levels.

At the end of the day, it was Thomas and Mackay who led the Defender Rally Series field, an outstanding 21 minutes ahead of Burrell and Kirby in second, and 24 minutes ahead of Ferry and Gillespie, in third. Justin and Terina Dooling picked up the Spirit of the Rally award for assisting a competitor out on the stages, finishing fourth and missing their first chance at a potential podium to do so, while Kingsley-Smith and Tyson came home fifth, followed by Luke Fairhead and Paul Chambers in the final Defender 90.

A total of eight specially prepared Defender 90s competed in the event, contributing to a total field of 43 vehicles. The Defender 90 of Paul McCallum and Peter King recorded a DNF alongside John Marshall and Dave Hooper.

Mark Thomas, winner of round five, said: “It’s been a good but tough event. I’m very pleased to have been sixth fastest in the last stage and to have finished ninth overall. The contrast between the two days was significant, with the last day being treacherous. My navigator did a great job, and we didn’t pick up any penalties. With no damage to the car and only three punctures, the Defender 90 performed brilliantly. I’m now very much looking forward to Ireland next month!”

The Defender Rally Series is in its third year, with its largest ever field. Limited spots are now available for the 2025 UK Championship ‘Year One’ program. Drivers have joined the 2024 UK Championship from a broad spectrum of motorsport backgrounds and with a mix of driving abilities; some with track racing or rallying experience, others with no competition history at all.

Calum McKechnie, General Manager, Bowler Motors, said: “Mark and co-driver Phil’s ninth place overall finish in a competitive field of specialist vehicles is a testament to the team’s skill and the vehicle’s performance. The event turned out to be more challenging than anticipated, as the rain drastically altered the conditions, demanding exceptional driving and teamwork. Looking forward, we’ve got a gravel rally at Clare Forest in Ireland next, which will continue to challenge the teams.”

Thomas and Mackay lead the UK Championship, followed by Ferry and co-drivers Gillespie and Mills in second and Kingsley-Smith and Tyson in third. The next round of the UK Championship is the Clare Forest Rally in Ireland, from 4-6 October.

Defender Rally Series – UK Championship Round 5 Results

PositionDriver/Co-driverTimeGap to leaderPoints
1Thomas/Mackay03:03:17+0:00:00+61
2Burrell/Kirby Smith/Tyson03:24:28+0:21:11+55
3Ferry/Gillespie03:27:35+0:24:18+49
4Dooling/Dooling03:31:28+0:28:11+47
5Kingsley-Smith/Tyson03:37:33+0:34:16+45
6Fairhead/Chambers03:39:11+0:35:54+43
7McCallum/KingDNFDNF+1
8Marshall/HooperDNFDNF+1 =

 Defender Rally Series – Provisional** UK Championship Standings

PositionDriver/Co-driverPoints
1Thomas/Mackay244
2Ferry/Mills/Gillespie206
3Kingsley-Smith/Tyson204
4Burrell/Kirby/Morris198
5Lynch/Nicoll184
6Dooling/Dooling176
7Fairhead/Chambers164
8Bell/Tomley/ Mills96
9McCallum/King86
10Burgess/Hutchings (a.k.a. ‘Bowler Boys’)43
11White/Gillespie39
12Williams/Hammond31
13Williams/Lowe29
14Cannon/Cannon1
TAGGED:2024 Defender Rally Series UK ChampionshipMark ThomasPhil MackayYorkshire Hill Rally

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Stay Updated! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn VKontakte Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Share
ByItumeleng Garebatshabe
Editor
Follow:
Itumeleng is the Managing Editor of The Auto Magazine. He is a tech and car enthusiast

Follow US

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
Google NewsFollow
LinkedInFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

The Auto Magazine

  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Bikes
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Auto Shows
  • Latest News
  • Motosport

Made by Intellegere Media. All rights reserved. 2023

Don't not sell my personal information
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner