Manx Motorsport Youth Trust backed crew Andrew Leece and Rob Fagg were forced to retire from their home event the Manx Trophy Rally, Round 4 of the Silverstone Tyres Ford Rallye Sport Ka Championship, while in the lead.

The young Manx pair started as favourites for the event due to their local knowledge and Leece’s performance on the 2003 event when led by more than one minute at the end of the opening day.   They confirmed their intentions this year by setting the pace over the opening 7-mile Rockmount stage and held an 8 second lead over Scottish pairing Innes Clark and Ian Morrison by the end.
 

Starting the Jurby East stage, Leece and Fagg were confident that they could build on their lead and with the Baldhoon stage still left to come, take control of the rally.   However, once again luck was not on their side! A mile from the end of the second stage the Mark Higgins Rallying backed Ford Ka developed gear selection problems.   Despite reaching the end of the stage and increasing their advantage over Clark by a further 8 seconds, they would play no further part in the event.
 

“We have unfortunately been forced to retire with what appears to be clutch failure. I am deeply disappointed to have retired for the second year in succession from my home event, both times while leading.   I think maybe next year we will hope the Jurby East stage is removed from the event or renamed as it has claimed me both times.” commented a dejected Leece.

Clark went on to win the event from the only other Ka to reach the finish, Dave Harris.   Championship leader Dave Hanson crashed out on the Orrisdale stage, the same corner which also claimed Tom Lunn who was in second place prior to the event.   The Manx result sees Clark move up to second, 5 points behind Hanson and extend his lead in the Junior Category.   Andrew now lies 34 points behind the lead with three rounds to go and has to be hoping for a change in luck.

The next round of the championship is on the 28^th August, the Mewla National Rally.   The event is the last tarmac round before the crews return to gravel for the final two rounds of the championship.

Andrew and Rob would like to thank the following for their continued support: Manx Motorsport Youth Trust, Mark Higgins Rallying, N A Fargher Newsagents, Forest Experience Rally School, Ken and Eve Leece, Motivation Engineering, W.E. Postlethwaite Ltd, Silverstone Tyres, Manx Gas, Integrated Capabilities, Aon (IOM) Ltd, 1^st Choice Windows, Gary Thompson and Steve Quine/Richard Skinner for assistance with pace notes.

*** Special Thanks ***

Both Andrew and Rob would like to make special thanks to Helen, Emma, Neil and Uncle Graham for their help and support on Friday evening.

Co-ordinator
Robert Fagg Rallying
04/08/2004