Myerscough motorsport hits the Manx rally

Lecturer Danny Cowell and former lecturer Phil Boyle took to the field in the Myerscough student built and run Talbot Samba.

Students from Levels 2 and 3 of the City and Guilds Light Vehicle (Motorsport) programme have been working on the car for the last month and travelled to the island with our newest staff member Ben Scott, who oversaw the college operation during the course of the two-day event.

The Myerscough group also looked after Dave Pedley and former Myerscough student Grace Pedley in their Mark 2 Escort. While this is the first time this group had worked on the car, the relationship has seen students from the college looking after the Pedley’s, most recently on the five-day Roger Albert Clark Rally.

The gruelling schedule sees crews tackle nearly 60 miles of competitive stages on day one, with a further 60 on day two.  

The event was marked by exceptional teamwork and resilience from the Myerscough College & University Centre supported crews, culminating in a 2nd place class award for Danny & Phil in the Samba.

The Manx Rally proved to be an exhilarating and challenging event for all participants. Danny and Phil showcased the might of their Talbot Samba, competing fiercely against higher-powered cars in their class. Meanwhile, Dave and Grace demonstrated remarkable skill and determination in their Mk2 Escort.

Myerscough’s team of dedicated students played a crucial role in ensuring both cars reached the finish line. Their tireless efforts and hands-on experience were instrumental in achieving the 2nd place class award for the mighty Samba. Despite the demanding schedule, including a 2:30am finish on the Friday night/Saturday morning, the students remained committed and resilient.

The rally was not without its challenges. The Samba required a distributor rebuild, with parts being adapted to meet the needs of the car.

Additionally, the team faced setbacks due to two significant accidents on Friday night, resulting in stage cancellations. These cancellations impacted the final standings, costing the team a potential class win due to nominal times being assigned for the affected stages.

Danny Cowell said: "It was an absolutely mega weekend all round. The students made sure that both cars got to the finish, and their dedication was truly inspiring.

‘’The event was a real challenge for the students. The event is fast and furious with a late night and the added pressure that the little car has won its class the last two times we came to the island. The students were more than up to the challenge.’’

Brothers Joe and George Merrills also competed on the rally in a pair of Honda Civics, with George having completed his motorsport degree course in 2022, and his younger brother Joe following in his footsteps with a year still to go on his programme.

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