Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander 2008 International Manx Classic

Corkill reigns supreme at the Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander 2008 International Manx Classic

Former rally driver Ian Corkill rolled back the years to secure victory in the Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander 2008 International Manx Classic.

Driving a 1979 Ford Escort rally car, Ian saw off the challenge of 90 vintage, post-historics, modern and classic cars over the three-day event on the Isle of Man.

The Classic was re-launched in 2006 by the Manx Motor Racing Club and this year competitors tackled three challenging hill climbs – Bray Hill, The Sloc in the south of the Island, and Lhergy Frissell, which is part of the TT course climbing out of Ramsey in the north.

“This year’s Classic was oversubscribed for the first time since we re-launched the event, which is a fantastic endorsement of the efforts of everyone concerned,” said MMRC’s Tim Boles. “There were up to five reserve entries for each event, who travelled to the Island in the hope of taking part.

“For the first time, ‘fastest time of the day’ prizes were awarded to classics built before 1983 only, although more modern cars were able to compete for individual class awards. This may have contributed to the full entry list. The fact that the Paul Matty UK Lotus challenge for road-going and racing cars decided to include the Manx Classic in its official calendar meant that there was even greater pressure on entry numbers.”

The Bray Hill climb was again run at night, with the finish line in front of the TT Grandstand and competitors having to make a 180 degree turn at the end of the straight. However, the weather was not at its best and the road became slippery and following a crash involving Margaret Parkes in a Morgan – at almost the same place as Nadine Geary’s Viper two years ago - the event was stopped.

Across the three climbs, Tim’s 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 beat all but one of the classics and all the kit cars to be named pre-1971 winner. But he had to admit defeat for the title of fastest overall Classic, which went to Ian Corkill.
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Tim explained: “Ian had a long and distinguished rally career which was only curtailed after an accident in which he very nearly lost his leg. So it was excellent to see such an experienced rally driver returning to the Manx Classic and being so successful. His son Connor also took part in a well-prepared Escort rally car from 1973.

“The Lotus Paul Matty challenge provided a fantastic spectacle, as did the lovely classic cars that came from all over Britain to attend this event. David Gray brought a fine TVR SEAC down from Inverness, John Richards brought a lovely dark metallic green Austin Healey 300 from Halkyn, and Martin Weigold came over from Gibraltar, although his GT40 lives in England. There was one close shave, when a Ferrari 308 GTB had a narrow escape at Waterworks, hanging on the wall at the Lhergy Frissell event.

“Other notable competitors were Dick Smith and the ‘chain gang’ of Fraser Nashes, who came across for just the Lhergy Frissell climb. Dick says that the Sloc event is too bumpy for their cars, and it would shake the bodies to pieces! Next year he says that he will also be bringing a car raced by Jack Brabham. Dick himself won the award for the fastest pre 1941 entrant, and having owned the Fraser Nash since 1962, he certainly knows how it handles.”

Aidan Doherty, Managing Director at Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander, said: “Each year the Manx Classic seems to get bigger and better and it’s clear the event is fast becoming a regular fixture in the amateur motorsport calendar. Entrants for 2009 will need to get organised early if the event continues to enjoy such success. We at Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander are delighted to have helped in the Manx Classic’s continued growth.”

Tim added: “We’re extremely grateful to Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander for both the financial support and the enthusiasm Aidan and his team have shown over the last three years.”

The weekend’s activities drew to a close with an Awards Presentation Dinner at the Hilton Hotel and Casino in Douglas.

For a full list of the 2008 Manx Classic winners, visit www.manxmotorracing.com/results