XS Racing secured two class wins and a 100% finishing record with its four-car team on the 2009 Roger Albert Clark Rally. All four XS crews had great runs, with Steven Smith and Patrick Walsh (Escort Mk1) taking class C3 and a giant killing sixth overall, while Peter Smith and Russ Langthorne (Porsche 911) won class C4.
 
Meanwhile, Andrew Siddall and Captain Thompson had a fine run to 11th overall in their ex-Roger Clark Escort Mk2 and Guy Smith and Howard Pridmore (Escort Mk1) survived a couple of off-road excursions to take fourth in class.
 
"We were absolutely delighted with it," said team boss John Cropper. "To get all four cars to the finish of such a tough event was tremendous. Logistically, it was a major exercise and everything came together. All the guys in the team worked really hard."
 
The rally started in Pickering on Friday 13 November and finished in Carlisle on Monday 16 November after 27 special stages. The big challenges included seven forest stages run in the dark and a final leg of five stages in wet and foggy conditions in Kielder forest.
 
Steven Smith and Patrick Walsh set a fabulous pace from the start in their Pinto-powered Escort and regularly beat many of the more powerful BDA-powered Escorts. They slotted into a position well inside the top 10 and made good use of their stunning pace in the dark and foggy stages to counter their power deficit. "It's been a great rally," said Smith. "The car has run like clockwork and my thanks go to Peter Egerton for allowing me to drive his car."
 
Andrew Siddall and Captain Thompson had a very trouble free run on the first rally for their famous Escort after a complete rebuild by XS Racing. They started cautiously but upped their pace as Andrew gained experience of BDA power and a five-speed gearbox. "I'm glad to get the car back in one piece," he said after achieving his aim of scoring a finish. The fact that they were one place outside the top 10 made the result very rewarding.
 
Peter Smith and Russ Langthorne ran at a measured pace on their first attempt at the Roger Albert Clark Rally and ended with class C4 victory and a place just outside the top 20 overall. "I'm pleased to be at the finish with the car un-marked," said Smith. "We were getting into it as the rally went on."
 
Finally, Guy Smith and Howard Pridmore were on a massive learning curve on only Guy's third rally. But they rose to the challenge and ended with fourth in class C3 and a top 30 overall finish. "We had a blast," said Guy, despite losing a chunk of time in a ditch in Langdale on the opening leg. "It's been a rally of attrition," he said.
 
XS Racing specialises in all types of historic rally preparation and parts supply across a wide range of cars. XS Racing can be contacted on 01246 233777.