Manx Motorsport Youth Trust supported driver George Collister (Grenaby) got his championship back on track taking a surprise 2^nd place on the Mutiny Clubmans Rally.   The event marked the halfway point of the Kumho Clubmans Championship and saw a number of the leading contenders score a non-finish.

Seeded for the event at number 9, Motivation Engineering backed Collister knew that the competition would be tough and set the plan of reaching the end and picking up much needed points.   The first stage was also the longest, 14 miles, and a smooth controlled run saw George post 9^th fastest time, passing the stricken Escort of championship leader Tim Pearcy in stage.   They were soon promoted to 8^th in the standings though when they passed one of the other pre-event favourites Alistair Adams, touring on the road section into retirement with gearbox failure.  

“I really enjoyed the long stage, but feel I was backing of in places I shouldn’t have been and this has obviously cost us time.   The car feels good and the notes are working well in the car, no problems, so let’s hope it continues that way.” commented Collister

Stage 2 through Gwibedog saw Collister and his co-driver, Integrated Capabilities sponsored Rob Fagg (Port Erin), drop further time to the leaders with 11^th fastest time.   It was then that things started to come together and with confidence growing they posted 5^th fastest time on the very next stage. This stage also saw the retirement of 2003 runner-up James Potter, elevating the Manx pair up to 7^th on the leaderboard.

With the standings unknown to the crew they went into the final two stages following the plan they set at the start, to finish.   The 11 mile Crychan stage saw them post fastest time, 2.9 seconds quicker than leader Dave Brick and passing Peter Raynor’s Escort stopped in stage, these factors together moving them into a podium position.   They followed this up with another fastest time, 8.5 seconds up on second fastest man Andy Gwynne.  

Arriving at the final service of the event both George and Rob were confident that they had achieved the top 5 finish they had set out for.   The surprise was to come though when leaving for the official finish in Llandrindod Wells, the results showed they had finished in second place overall and an in class.

“It was a really surprise to both myself and Rob, we knew we had been going well but to finish second was a complete shock.   We kept it clean today with no major moments, Rob was great on the notes and that enabled me to commit in the stages, the car was 100% and this result has more than made up for the Astra disappointment.   For Rob it is an early birthday present.” explained George at the finish.  

The result elevates George to 7^th in the championship and Rob up to 4^th.   The next round takes place on the 17^th July, the Swansea Bay Rally, where they hope to be able to pick up from where they left off on the Mutiny and continue their move up the championship tables.

The team would like to thank the following companies for their continued support: Manx Motorsport Youth Trust, Q&S Motors, Reynolds and Turner, Integrated Capabilities, Motivation Engineering, A.V. Craine & Sons, Manx Gas, Aon (IOM) Ltd, Manx.net, Sign and Design, Cronk Aashen Farm Campsite and www.rallycodriver.co.uk

For further information and photos, please visit http://www.robertfagg.com

Co-ordinator

RF Motorsport