BRC Scottish Rally to Evans
DMACK British Rally Team driver Elfyn Evans and co-driver Craig Parry won the 2016 RSAC Scottish Rally and in doing so, took a commanding lead of the MSA British Rally Championship by 20 points. Evan's parring partner for the championship Fredrik Ahlin retired from the event.
Rising-star Tom Cave put his Michelin-backed Fiesta R5 into second place with Irishman Desi Henry taking his first BRC podium place with third in his Pirelli-shod Skoda Fabia R5, making it three tyre manufacturers on the rostrum. Local-hero David Bogie held a solid second overall until damage to his Skoda Fabia's radiator but paid to his weekend on the final stage, denying his home fans the chance to see him on the podium.
The exciting one-day Scottish Rally provided a thrilling fourth round of Britain's premier rallying championship and started to the sound of a traditional bagpipe player as crews set off from the Ceremonial Start in the centre of Dumfries - heading into 62 miles of fast and furious forestry action. Classic gravel tests including Castle O'er, Gubhill Rig and Burnfoot providing an exciting day of rallying action with dust being a particular challenge in the morning loop while heavy rain showers made the competitive stages slippery in the afternoon.
Ever-consistent Welshman and IRDC member Cave continues his 100% finishing record by returning to a podium position he's longed for since the Mid Wales Stages. The Spencer Sport driver suffered a lack of power on a number of stages early on and was never able to challenge Evans for victory on the flat-out Scottish stages as a result. Although holding a comfortable third place going into the final stage, the rising star went on a late charge to wrestle runner-up spot from home-grown hero David Bogie. As Cave had played his double-points 'Joker' he has moved back into championship contention.
Bogie's demise meant Irishman Desi Henry (Skoda Fabia R5) recorded his best finish on a British Championship event by chalking up a fine third overall snd has shown glimpses of pace on previous events, but it all came together on round 4 while Jonathan Greer mades it three manufacturers in the top four in his Citroen DS3 R5. CA1 Sport driver Fredrik Ahlin had led the series coming into the Scottish but on stage four, had to retire, with a broken propshaft.
After the rally Elfyn Evans said, "This win is what we wanted as we have had a lot of bad luck on the last few rounds and we wanted to get on back track in Scotland. I am really happy that we managed to do it and we can go to the next round pretty happy and with confidence as well. It is a shame Fredrik [Ahlin] and David [Bogie] retired the way they did, but fortunately luck has gone our way this time and I look forward to the battle resuming on the Nicky Grist Stages in two weeks time."
MSA British Rally Championship Round 4 - RSAC Scottish Rally
1. Elfyn Evans (GBR)/Craig Parry (GBR) Ford Fiesta R5
2. Tom Cave (GBR)/James Morgan (GBR) Ford Fiesta R5 +52.4
3. Desi Henry (IRL)/Liam Moynihan (IRL) Skoda Fabia R5 +2:14.4
4. Jonathan Greer (GBR)/Kirsty Riddick (GBR) Citroen DS3 R5 +2:42.6
5. Josh Moffett (IRL)/John Rowan (IRL) Ford Fiesta R5 +2:56.0
6. Jamie Anderson (GBR)/Ross Whittock (GBR) Ford Fiesta R5 +2:58.8
7. Matt Edwards (GBR)/Will Rogers (GBR) Mitsubishi Evo 9 +3:59.8
8. Thomas Preston (GBR)/Jack Morton (GBR) Skoda Fabia R5 +6:41.4
9. Sindre Furuseth (NOR)/ Jim Hjerpe (SWE) Renault Twingo R2 +7:08.8
10. Ollie Mellors (GBR)/ Ian Windress (GBR) Proton Satria S2000 + 7:14.5
MSA British Rally Championship for Drivers points (after 4 of 7 rounds)
1: Elfyn Evans 85*
2: Fredrik Ahlin 65*
3: Tom Cave 56*
4: Josh Moffett 36
5: Jonathan Greer 31
6: Desi Henry 19*
7: David Bogie 18*
8: Matthew Wilson 15
9: Jamie Anderson 13
10: Matt Edwards 8*
* Drivers have played their double points 'Joker'
The full results and championship points can be found at www.msabrc.com
27th June, 2016