Welcome to the brand new website for the brand new Suzuki Tempest Rally.
Action centres on the traditionally rally base at Rushmoor Arena in Aldershot with a full day of rally action on Saturday November 8.
Once again the organisers will be running two separate rallies; the Suzuki Tempest 2 for two wheel drive cars and the Suzuki Tempest 4 to cater for the four wheel drive cars.
Tempest on ITV
http:www.itvlocal.commeridiannewsnews
The Saturday evening programme for two minutes on the rally from about 5mins 30.
Action, drama, mud and rain
Organisers of the Suzuki Tempest Rally are celebrating a hugely successful event with victory for south coast driver Marcus Dodd in the Tempest4 and for David Harris from Weston Super Mare in the Tempest2.
Meanwhile Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racer Loris Capirossi wowed the crowds having swapped two wheels for four to compete in the Tempest2.
He finished an impressive ninth overall and third Suzuki Swift Sport and spent the day grinning while getting to grips with the forest tracks on the HampshireSurrey border.
Crews and spectators enjoyed an action-packed day of rally action on the Aldershot-based event despite heavy rain which created testing conditions for the crews.
The field was split into two separate rallies – one for the two wheel drive cars and another for the more powerful four wheel drive machinery with both contesting 10 high speed stages before a return to the rally base in Aldershot.
In Tempest4 Dodd from Poole was the early leader easing ahead of three times winner Will Nicholls from the Isle of Wight. But Nicholls was determined to pressure the ANCRO champion and took the lead after a storming time on the second visit to the Ash Ranges.
But his lead was short lived when engine failure forced Nicholls into retirement and handed Dodd a comfortable lead in his Hyundai WRC with the Group N driver Robert Swann second overall, Martyn England third and touring car driver Rob Collard in fourth.
In Tempest2 eventual winners David Harris and Rupert Barker led after stage one in their Ford Escort Mark 2. They briefly lost the lead on two of the stages to Gary Barlow in the Nova before returning to the top of the leaderboard. They finished just five seconds ahead of Stephen Richardson after suffering light problems in the final stage.
Rally manager Barry Guess said it has been an incredible day which started with Tempest2 driver Stephen Richardson arriving at the start in the nick of time having flown in on Saturday morning from a last minute business trip to America.
"We have seen so much action here at the Tempest," said Barry. "Suzuki has been a magnificent sponsor and bringing Capirossi over here was tremendous."
He said the wet weather had created a real spectacle for spectators who had braved the heavy rain.
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thanks for following the Suzuki Tempest Rally online...we will be back next year.....
1545
Loris Capirossi thoroughly enjoyed his rallying in the Suzuki Swift Sport and said it was interesting having to listen to someone else - admitting to listening to the experienced Crraig Thorley. Craig in turn said it was a real privilege to sit to a motorsport legend.
They finished a creditable ninth overall and third Suzuki behind championship and Tempest winner Mark Gamble and Niki Bjerg.
1540
News from the winners
Tempest4 Marcus Dodd
Will gave us a good run and it was all shaping up for a good battle. The heroes today are the marshals and spectators out in the weather. Because we had a comfortable lead we went off the road twice in the penultimate stage so we had to take it carefully.
Tempest2 David Harris
It’s great to have an event where you split the two and the four wheel drive cars and I enjoyed the day until we lost the lights on the last stage.
Suzuki Swift Cup Mark Gamble
What a fantastic year. Today we attacked the morning and kept the rest at bay. Co-driver Steve Link when asked where the speed came from replied that it was Mark having no brain.
1520
Tempest2
cars have cleared the final stage and congratulations to David Harris who wins ahead of Stephen Richards in second and Ian Roterton in third.
In the Tempest4 congratulations to Marcus Dodd who wins on his first visit to the Tempest ahead of Robert Swann in second and third for Martyn England.
the crowds are now cheering the winners at the finish in the rain which has eased from torrential to heavy.
1650
Great scone delivery service to the press office - thanks Darren.
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Tempest2
The leading cars are now out of Ash with David Harris leading Stephen Richardson by 32 seconds. Ian Roberton is in third with Graham Samuel in fourth.
Andy Gwynn has been added to the retirement list after a crank sensor failure. Mike Harris and Luke Pinder are also out as is Dave Johnson.
1600
If there is something heavier than torrential then we have that here at Pegasus.
1558
Tempest4
With just two stages remaining the crews are arriving back in Pegasus thick and faster after the last loop which has been Ash, Longmoor and Rushmoor Arena.
Rain is torrential now and much as I love the rain there might be a slight delay in competitor comments!!!
1555
Tempest4
Martyn England has a smile on his face back here at service - delighted to be up into third after seven stages. Despite ingitions problems and the car using lots of water he says the rally is great. Martyn - who won here back in 2004 but rolled last year says he's a big fan of Barry Guess' events and always does them!
1540
Tempest4
A storming time by Martyn England in Longmoor puts him up into third.
The cars are starting to arrive back here at Pegasus Village - as is the rain....
1511
Tempest4
Will Nicholls' lead was short lived - the three times winner has retired with engine failure putting Marcus Dodd back at the top - after Longmoor he is now 2.20 ahead of Robert Swann in second and Rob Collard in third.
1510
Tempest2
Mark Gamble, who retains his first place in the Swift Sport Cup explained: "The last two stages have been quite difficult and there has been no grip at all. This morning, the stages were fantastic, but it has been a lot different this afternoon. It is great to lead the last rally especially after winning the championship, but all we wanted to do really was show our faces and say thanks to Suzuki for the fantastic year that we have had."
Gordon Nichol: "Due to the slippery conditions, we are not pushing as hard as we could be as we don’t want to lose places and points. We spun on the last stage twice, and I didn't enjoy Yateley, but it is going OK for us."
Rowland. "After the 500m straight in the last stage, we had total brake failure, and therefore during the last 4 miles, having no brakes, we lost our advantage, which makes fighting for the Junior Championship a lot more difficult."
Capirossi: "It's so funny, as I'm really enjoying it, but due to the conditions, it was very difficult to control the car in the last two rounds."
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Tempest2
The retirement list continues to grow wiht Julian Wilkes, former rally leader Gary Barlow and Ross Forde among the latest to retire.
We have also lost Graham Palmer, Trev Baynham, Simon May, Paul Dennings - the Suzuki team boss who is back out to enjoy himself, James Watts, Simon Bush and Mark Feeney.
1445
Tempest4
A few more reitrement in four wheel drive rally - John Lloyd with an engine misfire and Trevor Martin with gearbox issues.
1420
Tempest4
Will Nicholls has taken the lead on Ash - he is now seven seconds ahead of Marcus Dodd with Robert Swann maintaining third and the lead in Group N.
1340
Tempest2
Cars are now arriving into service - after Rushmoor David Harris leads just 8 seconds ahead of Julian Wilkes.
1320
Tempest4
First cars now in Pegasus - leading driver Marcus Dodd says he's making a few mistakes and the old tyres he is using are not ideal in the slippy conditions. He's enjoying being at the Tempest for the first time and praised the stages.
Will Nicholls has a smile on his face after closing the gap at the head of the field on Marcus but says the slippy stages are making it difficult to get into any kind of rhythm.
There is much activity in the Geoff Jones service area with many mechanics working on Andrew Barnes' car.
Spectators her today include Justin Dale who has been out watching at the Rushmoor Stage.
Out in Warren Dave Gamblin has rolled his Evo - car not in a good way Dave tells us and admits to driver error........
1320
Tempest4
First cars now in Pegasus - leading driver Marcus Dodd says he's making a few mistakes and the old tyres he is using are not ideal in the slippy conditions. He's enjoying being at the Tempest for the first time and praised the stages.
Will Nicholls has a smile on his face after closing the gap at the head of the field on Marcus but says the slippy stages are making it difficult to get into any kind of rhythm.
There is much activity in the Geoff Jones service area with many mechanics working on Andrew Barnes' car.
Spectators her today include Justin Dale who has been out watching at the Rushmoor Stage.
Out in Warren Dave Gamblin has rolled his Evo - car not in a good way Dave tells us and admits to driver error........
1320
Tempest4
First cars now in Pegasus - leading driver Marcus Dodd says he's making a few mistakes and the old tyres he is using are not ideal in the slippy conditions. He's enjoying being at the Tempest for the first time and praised the stages.
Will Nicholls has a smile on his face after closing the gap at the head of the field on Marcus but says the slippy stages are making it difficult to get into any kind of rhythm.
There is much activity in the Geoff Jones service area with many mechanics working on Andrew Barnes' car.
Spectators her today include Justin Dale who has been out watching at the Rushmoor Stage.
Out in Warren Dave Gamblin has rolled his Evo - car not in a good way Dave tells us and admits to driver error........
1305
Tempest4
A storming drive from Will Nicholls through Warren puts him just four seconds behind Marcus Dodd as the cars arrive back into Pegasus for service and then the Rushmoor stage.
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Tempest4 retirements
Out of the rally we have Geoff Underhill with that fire at Ash, Gawain Clark with gearbox problems in Rushmoor, Martin Newcombe who has retired with a smashed gearbox and, as expected, the Land Rover of Duncan Lilwall who had power steering problems.
1255
Tempest2 retirements
We have now lost Trev Baynham with a misfire in service, Simon May with a lost wheel in Rushmoor and James Watson with those diff and driveshaft problems.
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Tempest2
The top 15 runners are now through Longmoor - their first visit of the day to the stage. Gary Barlow maintains his lead with David Harris second just one second behind after going fastest through that stage.
Suzuki's Loris Capirossi is 10th quickest through Longmoor so far.....
The cars are now heading back to Rushmoor where the sun is now shining!
1220
Tempest4
The Land Rover of Duncan Lilwall is limping back into service - not sure if they will be back before going OTL...we will keep an eye out through the wind and rain....
1210
Tempest2
James Watts in the VW Polo has retired with diff and driveshaft problems in Rushmoor.
1205
Marcus Dodd has been entertaining the crowds in Rushmoor Arena with a rather theatrical display of driving using the full width of the stage - and more!
1145
Tempest2
The first cars are now through Ash with Gary Barlow and Nick Champman now leading David Harris and Rupert Barker by 3 seconds.
We look to have lost Simon May and Adrian May in their Peugeot - they apparently lost a wheel in Rushmoor.
1140
Tempest4
Marcus has borrowed his dad's car for the weekend. Pleased to be supporting a local event.
John Lloyd had a spin on the first stage and second stage was a bit of a disaster with a major misfire and a punctureso - not happy coming into service and hoping the engine can be sorted for Rushmoor and the rest of the day.
Robert Swann in his third visit to the rally said the first stage was good but a bit slippy but overall enjoying the day so far.
Rob Collard has switched from BTCC for rallying this weekend and has not done any testing in the car this year so it's all a bit new for him again today. 120mph without any testing was a bit scary he said but thinks the best approach is to be smooth and tight. He is in Mark Higgins' old car from last year's BRC.
1015
Tempest4
First cars are back into Pegasus for the regroup and service - Will Nicholls with some front panel damage after hitting a chicane in Longmoor.
1110
Tempest2
The first cars are now completing their first run around Rushoor Arena - Andy Gwynne so far fastest around this spectator stage.
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Tempest2
Capirossi says it's a lot of fun out there – he arrived in service with a big smile on his face.
Mark Gamble - Suzuki Sport Swift winner this year - thinks that people are driving tactically in these tricky conditions.
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Tempest4
Marcus Dodd and Will Nichols have put their mark on this rally - heading back into service just seven seconds apart - but with Marcus having a 42 second advantage over third placed Robert Swann.
1045
Tempest4
Car 109 Geoff Underhill and Mark Glennerster retired their Subaru with a fire on SS1.
1040
Tempest2 leaderboard
Posn. No. Driver Co-driver Car Class Total Diff
OA Class prev overall
1 1 7 David Harris Rupert Barker Ford Escort Mk2 3 0:10:12
2 1 6 Ian Roberton Hollie Roberton Nissan 240RS 4 0:10:16 0:00:04 0:00:04
3 1 41 Gary Barlow Nick Chapman Vauxhall Nova 1 0:10:20 0:00:04 0:00:08
4 2 2 Graham Samuel Bryan Hull Ford Escort Mk1 3 0:10:22 0:00:02 0:00:10
5 2 3 Julian Wilkes Will Rutherford Vauxhall Nova 1 0:10:23 0:00:01 0:00:11
6 2 1 Stephen Richards Ian Withecombe Ford Escort 4 0:10:26 0:00:03 0:00:14
7 1 5 Andy Gwynne Holly Robinson Citroen Saxo 2 0:10:31 0:00:05 0:00:19
8 1 10 Mark Gamble Steve Link Suzuki Swift Sport RC2 0:10:43 0:00:12 0:00:31
9 1 9 Richard Sykes Bradley Magnus Ford Fiesta ST RC4 0:10:46 0:00:03 0:00:34
10 3 21 Trev Baynham Anthony Bailey Ford Escort 4 0:10:51 0:00:05 0:00:39
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Tempest 2
Stephen Richards had a big spin on SS1 on the first corner but just cosmetic damage.
Ian Roberton says that he's had gearbox problems for the last three years but so far so good. He said it is slippy out there - no surprise there.
1025
First Tempest2 drivers are now arriving in service - ITV waiting to speak to Capirossi so watch out on the news tonight if you are in the region.
Rain falling heavier and heavier......
0945
Marcus Dodd takes an early lead from Will Nicholls on SS1 - just three seconds separate them.
0905
Action is now underway in the Suzuki Tempest Rally - first 4WD cars into Ash in the next few minutes and the 4WD cars are on the way to Yateley.
0820
Good news is that Stephen Richards has arrived at rally HQ. He was called to LA on Wednesday evening to sort out an issue on the stage of a major American artist currently touring. Stephen said it was no Holiday and flew on a plane Like a Virgin. Now back in the UK he's hoping that he will be quickly Into the Groove and thanking his Lucky Star that there were no delays this morning.
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Stephen Richards in car number one certainly doesn't like to waste any time in life - he jetted in to Heathrow this morning from a business trip to the states and is currenlty on his way to signing on.
Early morning news
0710
Wet and windy conditions here at Rally HQ at Pegasus Village. Fair play to the scrutineers who are already working and accommodating some that missed their slots last night.
Provisional start times
Suzuki South of England Tempest Rally
No Name: Partner: Start Time
1 Stephen RichardsIan Withecombe 09:01:00
2 Graham Samuel Bryan Hull 09:02:00
3 Julian Wilkes Will Rutherford 09:03:00
5 Andy Gwynne Holly Robinson 09:04:00
6 Ian Roberton Hollie Roberton 09:05:00
7 David Harris Rupert Baker 09:06:00
8 Mike Harris Luke Pinder 09:07:00
9 Richard Sykes Bradley Magnus 09:08:00
41 Gary Barlow Nick Chapman 09:09:00
10 Mark Gamble Steve Link 09:10:00
11 Gordon Nichol Emma Morrison 09:11:00
12 Ross Forde Arron Forde 09:12:00
13 Niki Bjerg Arly Larsen 09:13:00
14 Nick Rowland Tim Sturla 09:14:00
65 Loris Capirossi Craig Thorley 09:15:00
15 David Harrison Glyn Thomas 09:16:00
16 Mark Holding James Lewis 09:17:00
17 Alec Holding Tony Cotton 09:18:00
18 Chris Wigmore Stephen Lyons 09:19:00
19 Darren Ray Les Harrogate 09:20:00
20 Graham Palmer Mike Webb 09:21:00
21 Trev Baynham Anthony Bailey 09:22:00
22 Simon May Adrian May 09:23:00
23 Dave Dockree Nick Davies 09:24:00
24 Simon Rees Ryan Williams 09:25:00
25 Henry Catchpole Chris Brooks 09:26:00
26 Richard Boot Emma Boot 09:27:00
27 Kenneth Madsen Carina Moeller 09:28:00
28 Paul Denning Jemma Bell'ham 09:29:00
29 James Watts Oliver Ett'ger 09:30:00
30 Kevin Wills Lorna Hill 09:31:00
31 Simon Bush Andrew Bush 09:32:00
32 Derek Looker James Tapner 09:33:00
33 Clive Anstey Pamela Hilton 09:34:00
34 Robert Smith Jonathan Sarg 09:35:00
35 Nick Burton Rob Hick 09:36:00
37 Simon Smith Sylvia Earle 09:37:00
38 Mark Feeney Paul Marlow 09:38:00
39 Paul B'ville Andrew Richards 09:39:00
40 Dave Johnson Martin Fox 09:40:00
42 Richard Weaver Duncan Spite 09:41:00
43 Neal Dwyer Bob Stokoe 09:42:00
44 Hugh Myers Debby Myers 09:43:00
45 Brad Axon Barry Southam 09:44:00
46 Katie Blake Mike Ainsworth 09:45:00
47 David Segal Phil Segal 09:46:00
48 Jamie Clark Dave Wilson 09:47:00
No Name: Partner: Start Time
101 Will Nicholls Nick Broom 09:01:00
141 Marcus Dodd Alun Cook 09:02:00
102 John Lloyd Adrian Cavenagh 09:03:00
103 Martyn England Ian England 09:04:00
104 Andrew Barnes Calvin Cooledge 09:05:00
105 Rob Collard James S'land 09:06:00
106 Karl Simmons Guy Simmons 09:07:00
107 Robert Swann Garrod Darren 09:08:00
108 Mick Harris TBA 09:09:00
109 Geoff Underhill Mark Glennerster09:10:00
110 Wug Utting Max Utting 09:11:00
111 Duncan Waite Mark Withers 09:12:00
112 Shelly Taunt Julie Murphy 09:13:00
113 Tom Roberts Tony Clements 09:14:00
114 Trevor Martin Ray Cleghorn 09:15:00
115 Gawain Clark TBA 09:16:00
116 Martin Newcombe Peter Newcombe 09:17:00
117 Kevin Rowledge Paul Whittaker 09:18:00
118 Bruce Coate-BondLucy Coate-Bond 09:19:00
119 Richard FishleighTim Young 09:20:00
120 Keith Turner Steve Ward 09:21:00
121 Lloyd Furse Rob Short 09:22:00
122 Melis CharalambousAvarina Connor09:23:00
123 Peter Baylis Anthony Blyth 09:24:00
124 Dave Gamblin Mike Stewart 09:25:00
125 Jason Pritchard George Gwynn 09:26:00
126 Glyn Jarman Damien Rigden 09:27:00
127 Tristan Bailey James How 09:28:00
128 Gary Hayter Richard Aitken 09:29:00
130 Jim Munden David Perrott 09:30:00
131 Simon Munden John Leigh 09:31:00
132 Paul Stevens TBA 09:32:00
133 Matthew Dubber Sharon Pearson 09:33:00
134 Nigel Seabold Tim Barton 09:34:00
135 Steve Partridge John Vango 09:35:00
136 Del Hope Ross W'spoon 09:36:00
137 Shaun Mitchell James Dempsey 09:37:00
138 Duncan Lilwall Craig Teasdale 09:38:00
139 Ewan Christie M Eldridge 09:39:00
140 George Morrison Tom Aldridge 09:40:00
Sound news
Arriving at scrutiny without a noise meter was not the problem scrutineers expected - technology is so advanced that the programme could be downloaded onto a i-phone!
First accident
We have already had the first off of the event - Will Nicholls reversed into Mark Welch's car at a pre-rally photocall. Little damage to the cars and no doubt no one will mention it again to Will.
Capirossi in Rushmoor
Loris looking forward to the rally - tells us it's just a bit of fun. But he knows that when he puts the helmet on that could change. He says his co-driver is a beautiful person! and it's going to be an ajustment listening to someone. But he's looking forward to being warm, dry and not banging his knees or elbows on kerbs.
Radio Star
The Suzuki Tempest Rally has been on BBC Southern Counties Radio this morning.
Rally manager Barry Guess was a fine early morning star!
Suzuki testing update...
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi, and Team Manager Paul Denning, completed a successful test of the Suzuki Swift "Sport Cup" rally car at Turweston Aerodrome, Northamptonshire, in preparation for this weekend’s final round of the Swift Sport Cup.
The pair accumulated around 100 laps between them on the bespoke gravel circuit in both daylight and at dusk to get first hand experience of the conditions which the drivers will encounter on the 80km course through the forests and military training grounds of Aldershot. Although both bring previous knowledge of rallying, the session also provided the chance for Capirossi and Denning to once again become accustomed to driving with pace notes, instructions detailing the road ahead, which will be given by co—drivers Craig Thorley and Jemma Bellingham respectively.
Looking forward to competing in the Swift Sport Cup championship, Loris Capirossi, who will be driving car 65, the same number supported by his MotoGP race bike, explains: "The car is great fun to drive, and I'm really looking forward to the race. It's completely different to what I’m used to, but the car is very well set up and easy to control. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to compete in the Tempest Rally, and I appreciate the support that Suzuki has provided to ensure that I have the best possible car."
Late Entry
Marcus Dodd joins the entry list....waiting for Andy Burton to confirm.
Latest News
Posted on 3rd November 2008
A free spectator guide will be available at all car parks and especially Rushmoor Arena on Saturday.
ANCRO champion Marcus Dodd has confirmed that he will be taking part in the Suzuki Tempest Rally this weekend.
Entries Flood In
Posted on 20th October 2008
Entries are now flooding in for the Suzuki Tempest Rally with three times winner Will Nicholls among those hoping for a win on the event.
For details of leading entries already received click here for details>
Mark Gamble Wins
Swift Sport Cup Championship
Posted on 30th September 2008
The inaugural Suzuki Swift Sport Cup title has been won by Mark Gamble who will arrive at the Suzuki Tempest Rally with the championship safely won on the Trackrod Rally.
An addition to the field in Hampshire will be Moto GP racer Loris Capirossi, who will switch two wheels for four to drive the Swift Sport Cup celebrity car. Further details on the Suzuki Swift Sport rally car and series can be found at www.swiftsportcup.co.uk
Capirossi joins the rally!
Posted on 18th September 2008
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racer Loris Capirossi, will be swapping from two wheels to four when he takes part in the Suzuki Tempest Rally on Saturday 8th November 2008.
In the rally, Capirossi will be driving a Suzuki Swift "Sport Cup" car as he joins the regular competitors on the last round of Britain's premier one-make rally series. The cars are powered by a 1.6 litre, 125PS VVT engine and have been built at Suzuki's UK rally team headquarters in Milton Keynes.

