A successful rally team is hoping to raise South Holland interest in the sport ahead of their keenly-anticipated return to action next month.
P & R Plant Hire Rally Team Holbeach, who are owned by Paddy Plaice and led by driver David Tinn, are bidding to broaden their horizons this season after a hugely impressive 2016 campaign.
Despite the MSA National Tarmac Championship – in which Team Holbeach placed third overall in 2015 and second overall in 2016 and takes in events in Wales, Southern Ireland, Northumbria and the Isle of Man – going on a one-year sabbatical due to sponsorship issues, Tinn is excited by a season of fresh challenges.
The team have been invited to compete in Belgium at the Rallye de Hannut in March, before heading to Cadwell Park in April for a domestic event they have won in back-to-back years in their Ex Works Proton.
That will be followed by a return to Belgium for round one of the Belgian National Championships – and if the team are happy with how that goes, Tinn admits it could be a welcome change to the norm.
“Obviously, we’ve been progressing nicely and would have liked to have a go at winning the nationals,” said Tinn, who is joined in the car by co-driver Giles Dykes. “But it gives us a chance to try something new.
“There’s no pressure of competing in the championship and we can just play things by ear.
“The next step for us would, of course, been trying to win the championship. But we can move forward as a team and improve.
“If it works out OK in Belgium, we can maybe see what happens about us doing a bit more over there.”
Team Holbeach’s car, a genuine Ex Works Proton, even has a back story. The 370 BHP machine, which is four-wheel drive and can achieve 0-60mph from a standing start in 2.5 seconds, is considered “an amazing ride” by Tinn.
So much so that he once received a call from Jimmy McRae, the father of late rally legend Colin. He rang to see if the P & R Plant Hire owned Proton was available for Alister McRae (Colin’s brother) to use at a memorial event for the 20th anniversary of his brother’s untimely passing at Knockhill.
Tinn recalls “a great weekend away” watching the car he usually drives being used by the former World Rally Championship racer and is looking forward to getting back behind the wheel in March.
In the meantime, he’s hoping that aspiring rally drivers will take note of Team Holbeach’s achievements, admitting that he’d be delighted to offer advice to anybody else who is interested in competing.
Tinn is keen to let South Holland businesses know that sponsorship packages are available ahead of the new season and would encourage them to get in touch.
For now, he’s just grateful for the support the team received last season. As well as the above mentioned second-placed finish in the MSA National Tarmac Championship – which saw Team
Holbeach win twice, including being first overall in the Ford Parts Cheviot Otterburn stages – they had a 100 per cent finish record from eight outings.
Tinn’s daughter Alice, who is currently living in Australia, was also a key member of the team in 2016 as another co-driver option, with her most notable moment seeing her guide her dad to glory at Cadwell.
Tinn added: “I would like to thank Giles for a fantastic job on the notes throughout the season and keeping me pointed in the right direction.
“I have to say thanks to the boys at Mellors Elliot Motorsport for fantastic service and car preparation, too.
“Thanks also go to our other partners Holbeach Tyres and Haycroft Homes.
“We also thank To SORT UK for oils and lubricants – great reliability, thanks.
“Thanks also go to all of the lads for laying under the car in all weathers and getting us to the end of events. Giles and I salute you.
“The team would all like to thank the number one of P & R Plant Rally Team, Paddy Plaice, for his continued support.
“We look forward to next season our calendar is not finalised yet but we will take in events both old and new.”
P & R Plant Hire Rally Team Holbeach’s exploits will be featured in The Spalding and South Holland Voice this season, but you can also like “Team Holbeach” on Facebook for further information.
Anybody interested in becoming a team partner – with packages tailored to individual company requirements – can contact them via the Facebook page.
