Local ace Roger "The Sheriff" Skeete sent out a strong signal to the opposition, clocking the fastest time of the day of 1min 11.31secs. Skeete's Havoline/MacEnearney Quality/Michelin Ford Escort WRC was flying as he rocketed around the track. Ahead of the Rally Barbados on the following weekend, The Sheriff definitely signalled his intent…he was taking no prisoners.

Paul "The Surfer" Bourne (left) was second, giving an impressive showing in his Banks/Havoline/Williams Industries/Pirelli Subaru Impreza WRC. Making light work of the go-kart section of the track, Bourne showed his competitors that he too, should not be taken lightly. Bourne was 2nd quickest, clocking 1min 13.16 secs. Trevor "Electric Micey" Manning, who is still on a learning curve with his Automotive Art/Courts/Kerridge/Yokohama/Garbage Master/Simpson Motors Rally Team Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII, posted the 3rd fastest time of 1min 13.87secs.

The other European drivers endeared themselves to the hearts of the thousands who turned out to watch them: none, more so than Ray Brammer and Kevin Procter. Brammer, in his Group A Subaru Impreza (right) showed great skill, especially when manoeuvring the go-kart section of the course. His Subaru also showed exceptional acceleration. Procter, who impressed last year in a Ford Sapphire Cosworth, returned this year with bigger juice, in the form of a Ford Escort Cosworth. The Cosworth handled well, was lightning quick, and its antilag was a treat to the ears. Procter.

John Hardman too, in his 4WD Ford Fiesta left the crowd in awe as well. His "pocket rocket" was nimble and quick, virtually taming the Bushy Park circuit. However, the pick of all the overseas drivers was Ernst Harrach. His deceptively quick Porsche 911 stormed around the track, taking him to a win in the Historic Group as well as overall victory in the Handicap.

Harrach knocked off big guns Sean Gill, Barry Gale, Andrew Hurley, John Hardman and Roger Skeete on his way to overall supremacy. The handicap was not the end of the action however. During the handicap, there was a brief shower. Wet tarmac, Geoffrey Ullyett and Andrew Jones combine to form one thing…a slide fest. Even though the treated the crowd to lost of sideway action during their official runs during the day, the spectacle that Jones and Ullyett gave to thousands who had gathered at Bushy Park was worth the price of admission alone. Scandying and sliding at will, these 2 left the crowd jumping and screaming at the tops of their voices.

Torrential rains forced a switch of location from the Vaucluse Raceway to the Bushy Park Racing Circuit. The course was run figure-of-eight style, utilising the go-kart section of the circuit, with two cars on the circuit at a time. There were 62 competitors taking part in the event, with these 62 drivers being spit up into 11 groups. It was an enjoyable event in every regard, and kudos must be given to the organisers, competitors and marshalls.