Rally
driver Kev Monaghan had a miserable end to the Jim Clark National rally last
weekend when the engine on his Vauxhall Corsa S1600 failed while he was
challenging for a class win.
The
Kelso-based event started on Friday evening with three stages and Monaghan’s
plan was to push hard immediately in his Pirtek Tyne & Wear, Stauff, GB
Lubricants, F & R Belbin and Bill Falconer-supported car. His plan worked
as he led the event at the overnight halt although he was only 0.1 seconds
ahead of the second-placed crew.
Saturday’s
stages started off with damp roads but Monaghan was still on the pace, swapping
fastest stage times with Carl & Rob Tuer in their MG ZR S1600. The class
battle continued throughout the day and going into the long last stage Monaghan
was 14 seconds off the lead. As the roads had dried out Monaghan fitted harder
compound tyres with the intention of a flat out attack to try and get the win.
Unfortunately a rain shower meant the new tyres were not as effective as they
would’ve been in the dry but worse was to come when, with 8 miles of the stage
remaining, the engine failed.
“I was
delighted with our performance on Friday, to be leading was very satisfying,”
said Monaghan. “We were having a great battle with the Tuers on Saturday
and I hoped that switching to the harder tyres for the last 14 miles would give
us a chance of taking the class win. The rain ended our hopes but we were still
on for second place until the engine failed.”
“They say
lightning doesn’t strike twice but we’ve had engine failures on consecutive
events which is hugely disappointing. I’m happy that we’ve got the pace to
compete at the sharp end and that we’re mixing times with works-built S1600 cars
though. We’ve set up a great team around us, we just need that one final link
in the chain to nail down our engine issues.”
“For now
the budget is gone but I hope to be out later in the year and be ready to give
it our all in 2014. Thank you to Pirtek Tyne& Wear, Stauff, GB Lubricants,
F & R Belbin and Bill Falconer, without their support we would not have
been in the position to challenge for class wins. I would like to say a big
thank you to Chris Purvis who gives it 100% in the co-driver's seat which allows
me to take it flat out most of the time.”
“Hopefully we can resolve the engine issues and have a real push for the
class championship next year.”
