Protyre News

You can’t miss Mike Simpson’s 1975 Ford Escort Mk1.
 
For one thing, its crisp 2-litre Pinto engine makes a pitch perfect sound.
 
Oh, and the other thing of course is that the car is painted bright orange!
 
It’s fast too – as Mike showed on the opening round of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship – winning the Historic section on The Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally.
 
Next up is his local Hills Ford Three Shires Stages Rally on Sunday 5 September – so local in fact, that he can almost see the Three Counties Showground, where the Cheltenham Motor Club-organised event is based, from his house.
 
Mike finished an incredible 12th overall in the Mk1 when the Three Shires first ran in 2019.
 
The same year Mike became Welsh Historic and HRCR Historic Masters champion in the immaculate orange car – and won the Post-Historic class on the Killarney Historic Stages Rally.
 
He’ll be reunited with regular co-driver Dale Gibbons this weekend, who was forced to miss the opening Old Forge Garage Mewla Rally as he was attending a wedding.
 
“We had a good clean run over Epynt, with no problems whatsoever,” says Mike.
 
“For me the highlight of the year is going to be the Three Shires – not just because it’s my local event, but because of the stages and where they’re located. It was so well organised last time and it’s incredible to have closed road stages in this area. And the stages are longer this time, so it will be even better.
 
“I really enjoyed Epynt, but the Mk1 is much better suited to the lanes and I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”