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Fagg completes BTRDA hat-trick
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Isle of Man Sports Aid Foundation recipient Rob Fagg scored an hard
fought victory on last weekends North Humberside Forest Rally, as he
made it three wins from three starts in the 2005 BTRDA Silkolene
1400 Championship. The Isle of Man Bank Scholarship winner was
competing alongside Shropshire rally star James Wozencroft and
despite being faced with a number of challenges throughout the day,
they still came away from the event with victory.
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After victories on the opening two rounds of the championship, Fagg
and Wozencroft were both confident of further success, but with
their regular Suzuki Ignis being prepared for BRC Live, they were
forced to use Wozencroft's proven Vauxhall Nova.
Despite struggling on the the early stages with brake problems they
had managed to |
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keep in touch with early leader Steve Loveridge (MG ZR). With the
problem resolved, a quick clean run through the longest stage of the
event saw them reel Loveridge in and draw level with him heading
into the second half of the event. Stage 4 though would prove to be
the turning point in the event, Loveridge emerged from the stage 4
seconds quicker but with a broken gearbox and was forced out. It was
also the stage that nearly claimed Wozencroft as he broke his rear
left shock absorber.
With the management crew looking unlikely to be able to fix the car
in time, nearest rivals George Thomas (Nova) and Malcolm Hague
(Escort MKII) urged there crews to help the stricken Nova pair. This
showed the really camaraderie there is in the 1400's, that rivals
would rather see it decided on the stages than through misfortune.
With the suspension fixed Wozencroft nursed the car through the
final two stages to collect his third win in a row. Thomas claimed
the runner-up spot 11 second back with Hague third a further 48
behind.
Rob and James will now miss the next two rounds of the BTRDA
championship as they turn their attentions towards the inaugural
British Rally Championship Stars of the Future series, kicking off
this weekend with BRC Live in Nuneaton. James will be taking part in
the All Stars Rally Sprint, up against the WRC cars of Matt Wilson
and Johnny Milner. The opening round of the championship, the Rally
of Wales, is two weeks later and the pair will be one to be watched
in the stars series.
Rob is supported this year by the Isle of Man Sports Foundation,
Isle of Man Bank, Integrated Capabilities, Mexperience.co.uk, Manx
Motorsport Youth Trust and Manx.net
Robert Fagg
06/04/2005 |
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