Kent Forestry Stages

This 45 mile event was organised by Bexley Light Car Club on the 11th October and used 5 different forests with a total of 14 stages.

Seeded at number 1 was last years winner David Higgins in one of two Subaru Imprezzas entered by event sponsors Barretts. David's father Tony drove the second. Dick Slaughter started at number 14, James Potter at 17 and Mark Shoosmith, Chris Morford at 27.

Two stages in Kings Wood opened proceedings with David Higgins fastest on both. A service hat at Ashford followed two short stages at Denge Wood and Eggringe. Heavy rain prior to the event had forced the organisers to shorten Eggringe as the last half-mile was almost impassable. Higgins was not having it all his own way however as on stages 3 & 4, Dick slaughter had equalled his times and on stage 4 James Potter beat them both by 3 seconds to take fastest time.

After service there was a long road section to take the crews to the next set of 4 stages. 2 each in Hemstead and Bedgebury. From here on Higgins began to dominate the event, taking fastest time on all four stages. Bedgebury caused problems for Southern crews. Dick Slaughters engine expired. On Bedgebury 1 the last mile was covered by mud and was extremely slippery. Mark Shoosmith/Chris Morford had trouble rounding a hairpin and finally sopped on top of a bank, before reversing off to continue. A couple of hundred yards later it was another off, when they went straight on at a 90 right, unable to get any grip at all. However in extricating themselves from a ditch they managed to cover a couple of spectators in mud from head to foot. Bedgebury 2 caused more problems when they nearly missed the split.

Service was taken at Bewl Water before crews headed back to Ashford for another 2 stages in Kings Wood. On this road section one of the Daihatsus seemed to think he had the right to cut up almost every other car on the road. At the finish he was seen getting a severe telling off from the championship co-ordinator.

Mark Higgins took fastest time on both the Kings Wood stages before crews were faced with another long trek back to Hemstead & Bedgebury.

Michael Watson/Geoff Moss managed to beat Higgins on the next two stages, in their Escort Cosworth, but Higgins again dominated the last two stages to take overall victory by a margin of 85 seconds.