Woodpecker Stages - 30 Aug 08

Posted: September 2, 2008 8:57 AM - 6572 Hits

Round 7 - 2008 BTRDA Rally Championship

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Posted: September 2, 2008 8:57 AM

90MPH ROLL ENDS PEREZ'S WOODPECKER RALLY

Posted: September 1, 2008 3:17 PM

Kick Energy rally driver Steve Perez saw his good run of results come to a sudden halt when he crashed out of today's Woodpecker Stages Rally.

Along with co driver Josh Burton, the Clay Cross businessman was comfortably leading the Sixty & Worcestershire organised round of the BTRDA Championship going into the fifth stage of the day.

However, as the pair approached the very last corner on SS5, which transgressed the flying finish line, Perez went off at an estimated 90mph, causing the Ford Focus WRC to barrel-roll into retirement, despite setting the fastest time on that stage also!

Despite being stiff, the good news was that the pair was unhurt and Steve did no damage to the neck he broke in last year's East African Safari Rally, and still saw the funny side of it:

"I crashed at 'Birdy's Corner' but you know, me, I'm always up for doing something better than him." quipped Perez in deference to his friend and rival Paul Bird. "He slid off the road there a few years ago and just ended up in the undergrowth but I have to do a double roll to go one better...! Seriously, I'm disappointed and the car has sustained quite a lot of damage but we'll either have this one ready, or I'll use my 2003 car for the Trackrod next month. It's testimony to the strength that these M-Sport Ford Focus WRC's are built to that Josh and I were able to walk away from a 90mph accident virtually unscathed."