The event was won by Andrew Taylor in a Mazda RX7, but Portman and long-time co-driver Ross Runnalls finished just nine seconds from victory!
Even more impressive was that they finished a solitary second behind Darryn Snooks in a Datsun Stanza that Portman drove in a recent rallysprint. After that event Portman said the car was faster than the factory Stanzas he drove in the early eighties.
The car Portman used is one of the one-make series Excels, usually driven by Emma Cugley.
Rising star Richard Gill was fourth in a Toyota Sprinter, with Darren Roberts rounding out the top five in a similar car.
Final results:
1. Andrew Taylor/Ben Courtney, Mazda RX7, 7:41
2. Darryn Snooks/David Johns, Datsun Stanza, 7:49
3. Geoff Portman/Ross Runnalls, Hyundai Excel, 7:50
4. Richard Gill/Leeham Bansagi, Toyota Sprinter, 10:41
5. Darren Roberts/Craig Roberts, Toyota Sprinter AE86, 14:02
6. Doug Fernie/Robin Smalley, Datsun Bluebird, 15:37
7. Sean Hudgson/Ian Rice, Datsun 1600, 15:43
8. Tim Stuchbery/Kate Vanderham, Holden Commodore, 17:06
9. Lucas Thorpe/Karen Brookes, Datsun 180B, 17:46
10. Gary Kendrick/Emma Kendrick, Datsun 1600, 19:57
Photos by John Doutch
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