New stages a big hit

The event’s second-ever hosting welcomed a greater turnout than last year and featured several brand-new courses, notably including a few Friday night stages in the Vale, proving a big hit with the accompanying hordes of spectators.

Naturally, this went down well with the head organiser.

‘It was very good – good to see so many people out there too,’ said Marshall, whose only headache came from a small group of spectators, especially one, who spat at a marshal.

‘Thanks to all the residents for allowing us to do it, because we have to get permission or we’d not be able to do it.

‘It was a very good event weather-wise and the stages were good – everybody enjoyed them.’

Although pleased with Friday night’s action, he still felt that there was no beating the classic rally action in St Saviour’s and St Andrew’s.

It was there that winners Ross Le Noa and Domonic Volante built their decisive advantage, but there was no such thing as easy going in the tight and twisty lanes.

‘They were proper rally stages, they were catching everybody out, even the Jersey elite were getting caught out with the trickiness of them,’ he said.

‘It was a good leveller for sure, as nobody was running away with it apart from the afternoon with Ross and Domonic – it was great all the way.

‘They want more of the same next year.’

But he is in no hurry to get the 2020 preparations under way.

‘I’ve just been in chill mode at the moment – it’s time for a break and we will consider what we will do next,’ Marshall added.