Tough Weekend for Gallagher In Kielder

Posted: May 9, 2003 6:22 PM

Day 1 began with two half-mile spectator stages and Shaun was fully aware that a rally could be lost but not won on such stages. So the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Award winner drove with an air of caution and was lying 5th before the first proper stage of the evening.

Dense fog and atrocious driving conditions greeted the crew when they arrived at Kielder forest and Shaun maintained his cautious pace ensuring they he made it to the end of the stage. The 22-year-old was forced to drive stage 4 with virtually no visibility, as the fog was so severe that he was unable to see past the bonnet of his Peugeot 206. The fog cleared before the crews further down the running order began the stage giving them a substantial advantage.

Shaun and co-driver Richard Pashley were now just happy to finish day one and maintained their pace finishing 5th overall, giving them nine championship points.

Day 2 was a fresh start for the Mullen Express Transport backed crew, with a possible fifteen points up for grabs. Shaun began the day with second fastest time on the first two stages. He settled at this pace and swopped times with local star Chris Moore and front runner Jack Ingleby.

The heavens opened prior to the penultimate stage and Shaun, aware that the championship was at stake, made the conscious decision to drive for a finish. He set consistent times on the remaining two stage and finished 2nd overall just three seconds behind Chris Moore.

“It was a very tough weekend. The fog on Friday night made the event especially difficult but we extended our championship lead and I’m happy with that” commented Shaun

Immediately after the event Shaun and co-driver Richard Pashley will set off for France where they will compete in the second round of the French Peugeot 206 Cup next weekend.