Summer Trial 2026 - Day 3
*Victory for Ken and Sarah Binstead
*Substitute Car Takes Last Years Third Place Crew to Top Step
*Podium Completed by BMW and Triumph, as Porsche Falls Away
After 376 miles the Summer Trial 2026 has returned from its final loop, with victory going to Ken and Sarah Binstead. After a final leg of 85 miles, featuring four regularities and three tests, following on from the 16 competitive sections from the first two legs, the margin of victory was just 7 seconds.
The Binstead’s hadn’t had it all their own way, with Pete and Jo Johnson leading at the end of the first leg. Indeed, Ken and Sarah almost didn’t make the rally at all, having suffered a catastrophic fuel leak on the way to the rally in the Datsun that they should have been competing in, forcing them to return home and pick up their old faithful Austin Healey 3000.
The less-than-ideal start didn’t seem to faze them, as they finished the first leg in third and by the end of leg 2 had a slender lead of 3 seconds. The times were tight across all the leading cars as the rally headed into its final day, with just 5 seconds splitting the top four with Dave and Jackie Batchelor completing the top five, a further 8 seconds back from Tim Lawrence and Richard Lambley, and Pete and Jo Johnson, who were tied in third place. Paul Wignall and Phil Savage were second, but sadly they wouldn’t begin the final leg, due to a mechanical retirement after breaking the rear axle the evening before.
It looked likely to be a four-way fight for the win then, though with plenty of competitive sections crammed into the final morning, there was always a chance that one of those slightly further back could find themselves fighting for a podium should anything serious befall those at the sharp end.
Those pushing for trophies were keeping it tight on the regularities, but on the tests Pete and Jo Johnson were to lose vital seconds, as they scrapped for time in a very competitive test class. Unfortunately for them they suffered an error on a stop box on the days second test, dropping them down the class order and picking up 8 seconds penalty. That contributed to a final day total of 32 seconds that was double that of the competitors around them, dropping them out of the fight for a podium, though they did secure a class victory.
Whilst some were dropping time, others were dropping out, as car 52, the Volvo P1800E of Rob Smith and Richard Stanier were forced to retire with a gear box issue, and Ashley and Jon Bennett also retired midway through the morning in their Volvo142 S.
On an event that ramps up the difficulty as it progresses, the final regularities are usually the most difficult, but unfortunately one of these had to be cancelled due to an issue on the route, no doubt removing a little bit of the pressure the Ken and Sarah were feeling at the front as they fought off the challenge of the chasing pack. This was now largely a two horse race between them and Tim Lawrence and Richard Lambley, competing in a borrowed BMW 325I after Tim had also suffered car issues pre-rally. Both crews would keep the nerves at bay as they performed well on the final reg, with the gentlemen in the BMW dropping just four seconds, but they would remain in second as Ken and Sarah dropped only two seconds, consolidating their lead and securing the win.
It was a fantastic performance for the crew of the Healey, improving on their podium from last year’s rally and adding the Summer Trial trophy to their win on the Scottish Malts. With a big smile on their faces and soaked from spraying the winners champagne they were both delighted at the finish, with Sarah declaring, “We’re very happy, really didn’t expect it and a surprise to be leading into today. We just tried to keep the nerves steady and hold on!” Ken was also over the moon, adding “We’ve won despite a spin and having to go back home to change the car! We’re really pleased; it’s turned out really well.”
Second place was secured then by Tim Lawrence and Richard Lambley, finishing just 7 seconds adrift from first, despite having to borrow a car at the last minute. When asked about the car and his feelings, Tim said “It’s an absolute rocket ship, I’m used to an MG B. James Holt generously leant me the car and said it had to be a top ten finish, so this is great.” Navigator Richard was also chuffed with the result, saying “Good result, it was a great competition. It was all so close, with the positions chopping and changing throughout.”
Third place then went to Dave and Jackie Batchelor, as they secured their first ever podium finish and moved from fifth to third on the final day, despite the Triumph TR4 not having much of an exhaust left at the end of the competition. They were of course delighted, with Jackie beaming as she said “It’s our first time on a podium, so it’s absolutely brilliant. We’ve had a great time, great regs and the car went well on the tests.” David was effusive with praise for Jackie’s navigation and also added “It was fine, except the exhaust has dropped off. It was brilliant, rally was really good, route was fantastic, and we look forward to coming back next year.”
In a field that featured a broad breadth of different experience, and cars spread across different eras, it seemed fitting to have a podium made up of a mix of marques and classes. Another Summer Trial weekend has come to a close, with a new winner and new faces on the podium. After three fabulous days of rallying in the fantastic scenery of County Durham, it is time to say goodbye, until we return to this part of world next summer, to do it all over again.