|
With
six stages totalling 48 mile ahead of them, it was decided to take
the first two at a comfortable pace and then build from that.
A 20th fastest time on the first stage followed up by 15th
on the second left them in 21st coming into first service
and with no problems there was time to look for improvement in the
cars set-up.
The
next three stages showed that George was becoming comfortable with
the surroundings and his confidence growing in the notes Rob was
reading to him.
He would set two 8th and one 11th
fastest stage times with no major problems before heading into the
final service.
Starting
the final stage, the second longest of the event George was holding
onto 9th place and second in class.
John Rowlands presence in 10th though was going to
make the last stage no walk in the park.
From start to finish George used the experience of the
previous stages to produce some fine attacking driving and take a
further 17 seconds on Rowlands and record the 5th fastest
stage time, confirming what they thought was 9th place.
The
final stage though saw the retirement of Steve Magson in his RWD
Astra and problems for Championship contender James Potter elevating
the lads to 7th overall and maintaining their 2nd
in class.
Both were pleased with their performances and congratulatory
to each other on a job well done.
George
and Rob decided mid-way through the year to contest the event as
they were seriously considering an attempt at the Clubman
championship in 2004 and they were not disappointed.
“The
rally was excellent and one of the best I have contested this year.
We made the trip to see how we could do against the 2003
contenders and I don’t think we embarrassed ourselves,” George
told us. “I can not wait for next year and the championship to get
underway.”
Although
this was only George’s third event in the UK, Rob has been
contesting the Ford Rallye Sport Ka Championship this year and has
tackled stages in Wales and Yorkshire that they will compete on next
year.
“George
drove really well today and produced some of the best I have seen
from him.
If we can build on this for 2004 we should be able to produce
some good results next year and hopefully figure in the championship
come the end of the year” explained Rob.
They
now turn their attentions back to the Manx Stage Rally Championship
of which round 5 takes place this weekend.
The Motivation Engineering supported Escort MKII will undergo
routine checks to ensure they have the best set-up for the event.
Thanks
for continued support goes to: Motivation Engineering, Manx
Motorsport Youth Trust, Q & S Motors, Integrated Capabilities,
Reynolds and Turner, Aon (IOM) Ltd, Sign and Design, Manx.net,
Manx Telecom, Cronk Aashen Farm Campsite, Tim Shearman, www.rallycodriver.co.uk
and the hard working service crew (Graham, Bailey and Davey)
Coordinator
RF Motorsport
20/10/03
|
