David and Rob in action on their way to 17th overall and 9th Evo Challenge crew.

They headed many WRC entries and leading their own class, including two time British champion Jonny Milner and British Championship regulars Julian Reynolds, Phillip Morrow and Seb Ling.

Fagg, the reigning British Super 1600 champion, was naturally elated at the first service halt.

“It’s great to have been able to show the pace we know we are capable off over the first two stages” commented Rob, “David has really got to grips quickly with the Evo and that’s show in the times. The most encouraging thing is that he is still learning and there is more to come from him.”

The joy was however to be short-lived. On the first stage after service the pair slid wide on a corner and hit a rock which punctured a front tyre. They lost 15 seconds as they struggled through the final two miles of the stage, and so tight was the competition, they dropped down the leaderboard to 12th place.

David tried to get it all back at once on the next stage after changing the wheel, but the attack led to an untidy run, making little headway in moving back up the leader board.

A subsequent service gave the pair a chance to reflect, and Rob an opportunity to bring his experience to the fore to re-assess a plan for the final four tests.

They put in a clean, rapid run on the first of them, but were one of 19 crews to beat the allowed average speed for the stage, so gained no advantage from it. They were then given a nominal time on the next stage too when caught up behind another crews accident, just one of the delays that led the organisers to cancel the last of the eight stages on the rally.

It left just one test of 12 miles, and the pair were once again right on the pace, sixth fastest of the Mitsubishi crews, to end the event in excellent ninth overall and fourth in the Challenge category. They also took first place points in the Scottish Rally Championship group N class.

Back at the Jedburgh finish Rob was delighted with the result, despite the puncture.

“After dropping the time we did on Stage 3 with the puncture it was always going to be tough to get back in the fight for the win” explained Fagg, “When you running in a one make championship where the cars are even you can’t afford to give anything away especially when you have the caliber of drivers that the series has this year. We are happy with 4^th and the points it brings to our championship challenge. Next up the Manx, I am really looking forward to that one.”

There's no rest for the young pair however, as they are back in action this Saturday. They will tackle the Wold Construction North Humberside Forest Rally, principally to gain more mileage in the Mitsubishi, although they have been handed a top 10 start number.

The next round of the Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge takes place on Rob's home isle in early May, the RBSI Manx Rally.

Media
29/03/2007