Owen Motoring Club Rally crew Paul Kendrick and Anton Bird from Sutton Coldfield this year have contested and finished all five rounds of the BTRDA tarmac rally championship.

Paul is currently second in the drivers championship and at present Anton leads the co drivers championship.

The 1600 cc class is already secured and the pair should feature well in any championship rear wheel drive awards.

Rounds of the championship this year have utilised events in Cornwall, two trips over the military ranges of Epynt in Wales, The Midland three day rally based in Nuneaton, The Millbrook Stages run over Vauxhalls test track near Bedford, and the last round is scheduled for the Otterburn military ranges north of Newcastle on Tyne in mid November.

Stepping up from the Heart of England championship contested for the last three years has been a big ask for their 30 year old Talbot Sunbeam, a car worth probably a tenth of anything usually used today, and with only 1600 cc and 170 bhp.

Through consistency and meticulous car preparation by Paul they have managed so far to stay ahead of the Subaru pack – who incidentally have something in the region of 350 + bhp and 4 wheel drive.

With the best 4 scores to count from six events the championship has gone down to the last round.

“It’s a tall order says Kendrick to pull this off with the disadvantage in power we are faced with, but we will give it our best effort, as we have all year.

“Who knows what can happen at Otterburn, it can be a difficult venue at the best of times – but in November it could be very wet, icy or fog could play a big part.”

This says Anton is to our advantage – “we are good on the notes, and in bad conditions the big boys can not get the power on the road, we will give it every thing to bring the title to Sutton and OMC.

“We thought this year would be a low top ten finish in this difficult championship and never imagined we would be in a position to win it. But with Paul’s very skilful handling of the Sunbeam, a bit of luck and some good old fashioned rally craft we have a slim chance to pull off a massive giant killing act.

“Not bad for a pair of old codgers ( joint ages 118) in an old car. One over on the power brigade we hope.”

Photo courtesy of GTImaging.