backed crew was the eight mile run
through Dyfnant forest. They had a clean run, apart from
just one real ‘moment’ on a quick left hander, posting fifth
fastest time, just 3.5 seconds slower than team mate and
fourth placed Mark Donnelly.
The pace of the front crews though was
hugely impressive with Matt Edwards, Craig Breen and round
one winner Kris Hall all separated by less than four
seconds, 12 up on Donnelly and 15 on Orr.
An eight mile test in Aber-Hirnant
followed and a good time enable Orr to move into fourth as
the crews headed into service.
With no problems on the Saturday Car
Seller.com Fiesta ST, 16 miles of classic welsh stage was
next up in Gartheiniog. It was not to be the best of stages
however, as the crew dropped dropped14 seconds back to
Donnelly to fall behind again and come under pressure from
Luke Francis behind.
A good run tidy run followed on stage four which saw the new
pairing secure fifth place, just six seconds off the podium!
That marked the end of the Fiesta
round which was decided over the opening four tests only, an
initiative that allows those crews on a tighter budget to
contest the BRC Challenge instead of the full international
event. Rapid Welshman Matt Edwards co-driven by Andrew
Murphy took the win, followed by Craig Breen 25 seconds
behind.
However the full international event
still had another two stages, a repeat of Gartheiniog and
then the longest stage of the day in Dyfi forest.
With about three miles to go in Dyfi the pair had a worrying
moment when the Fiesta hit a large hole which had emerged
between the first and second runs. The impact threw the
Fiesta into the air on a fast downhill section, and Kyle had
to display all his skill to regain control and steer them
round a fast approaching tight left corner. They were
relieved to reach the end of the stage and finish in 17th
position overall and fifth in class.
“I am happy with today’s result, the
pace at the front was very quick and something I hope to
close up to through the season” explained Orr back at the
finish in Bala.
“Rob and I have worked well together today and I was able to
put my confidence in him from early in the event, allowing
me to commit to the notes without a second thought.”
Following two round’s Orr currently
occupies fourth place in the Championship, the next round
being the Pirelli International Rally on the 17th-18th
April. Prior to this Kyle will contest the next round of the
Irish Fiesta series, the Circuit of Ireland over the Easter
weekend.
Rob’s plans remain unclear for the rest of the season, but
he is hopeful of returning to British Championship action
later in the series.
