Page 39 - issue19.04.2019

P. 39

Sport

MOTOR SPORT

Hall in Corsica challenge

TOUR DE Corse lived up to its this result so very rewarding. toughest test of the event with tyre
reputation as one of the toughest “It was an immense challenge conservation critical.
co-driver challenges of the World though with the highlight Hall climb to fourth place
Rally Championship, as SAC(T) most certainly the 47km of the during the leg, although fifth
Phil Hall guided fellow Briton Castagniccia stage. would be his standing at the end
Tom Williams to a confidence- “It offered insane levels of note of the day.
boosting fifth place in the Junior reading which is unrivalled really. Day two was the longest of the
WRC category of the event. “It was most certainly a tough, rally with 175km on offer, mainly
Hall, who headed off for a life- but thrilling rally which delivers due to the Castagniccia test which
changing adventure in climbing one of the biggest challenges a would be tackled twice.
Mount Everest following the end co-driver can endure, but I loved A puncture early on hampered
of the race, knew what laid ahead every second of it.” the pair’s progress, but Hall’s
on the Corsican island, having After a career-best fourth place knowledge of the track saw the
driven the course’s 14 stages three at the opening Rally Sweden pair remain in fifth at the close.
times before. last month, Hall was aiming his Trouble-free driving on the
The RAF Reservist said: impressive start to the season as final two stages meant the duo
“Corsica certainly lived up to its 17 identical M-Sport Ford Fiesta head into round three of the series
reputation this year and as you R2’s went head to head across the in sixth place in the championship.
start to climb the rallying ladder winding Mediterranean roads on LAKESIDE DRIVE: Hall and Williams,
and become faster, the challenge the first Tarmac test of the year. above and right.
increases as well which makes The opening day provided the PHOTO: M-Sport/JWRC

TABLE TENNIS
New boy Irlam makes huge impression

DAZZLING DEBUTS were the Mixing up the annual round- contact SAC Nicola Hawksworth on
highlight of the RAF Festival of robin event provided the typically email: Nichola.Hawksworth100@
Table Tennis at RAF Cosford close competition, with Cpl mod.gov.uk.
recently. Mathew Faulkner taking the prized Next up for the association is
The event, which saw a field trophy after remaining unbeaten the Inter-Station Championships
of 21 competitors battle it out, for the entire tournament. at RAF Halton, with the Festival of
provided the perfect showcase During the action, an afternoon Table Tennis coming in November.
for the very best and developing coaching session was provided by More information can be
grassroots players. Several new ex-RAF stalwart Ian Denton. obtained via WO Martin Jones:
faces made an irrefutable impact The RAFTTA is always looking Martin.Jones970@mod.gov.uk or
and none more so than SAC Liam for players of all abilities, it holds on Facebook search ‘RAF Table
Irlam who had an impressive debut, several successful Academies Tennis.
being deservingly awarded the title throughout the year.
of Best Newcomer. Anyone interested should SHOT: Right, Liam Irlam

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