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Late heartbreak for rapid McShea

Posted: May 11, 2003 8:39 PM - 6641 Hits


Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) FIA World Production Cup Championship driver Niall McShea and his co-driver Chris Patterson starred on the Rally of Argentina, setting nine fastest stage time in the 25-stage event.

But the pairing’s hopes of an incredible runner-up position – which would have been the best result ever for a British crew in the class - were dashed with just two stages to run when they had to retire their Mitsubishi Lancer E6 after the oil cooler was damaged following an impact to the sump guard after a high-speed jump.

Posted: May 11, 2003 8:39 PM

“To stop within sight of the finish is a hard knock to take,” said McShea. “After losing more than a minute and a half with a puncture on the opening day victory was always going to be a long shot, but I felt secure in second position. It would have been a massive result and I’m gutted – not just for me, but for everyone in the team.”

The Ulster crew’s performance was all the more noteworthy because they had never been to Argentina before and it was only their second event working in the Neil Allport-tuned car together. At the time of their retirement they were the highest-placed Mitsubishi crew, lying behind eventual class winner and Subaru driver Toshi Arai.

“Now I have to put my disappointment behind me and focus on the positives from the event,” said McShea, 29. “We came here to prove a point and by setting those fastest times I think we have signalled our intentions for the rest of the year. The more time I spend in the car the more comfortable I feel in it so, although I know there is still plenty of hard work to do, the potential is growing all the time for the future.

“I moved into the FIA World Production Cup Championship this year with the intention of learning the stages on new events and trying to prove to the team managers from works teams that I have the speed to be considered for a drive in the future. Hopefully, this weekend has been a good step towards demonstrating that speed.”

The other JLT-entered Mitsubishi Lancer E6, crewed by John Lloyd and his co-driver Pauline Gullick, finished 19th after an encouraging run over the rough dirt stages.

“It’s been a particularly gruelling event as the stages have been very rough, but I always seem to do quite well in those conditions,” said Lloyd. “Last time I was in Argentina I finished 25th, so it’s nice to have been able to improve on that this time round.”

McShea and Patterson’s next outing will be on the Cyprus Rally from June 18-22.

Topics: World Rally Championship 

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