Tour of Epynt - 10 Mar 13

Posted: February 1, 2014 10:45 PM - 4203 Hits

Round 1 - 2013 MSA Asphalt Rally Championship

Bird On Epynt Podium

Posted: February 1, 2014 10:45 PM

Penrith driver Paul Bird saw his 2013 REIS/Get Connected MSA Asphalt Rally Championship campaign get underway with a superb third place finish on today's Tour of Epynt.

Driving the MinxFlix.com, Fuchs Titan, Rapid Solicitors and Kick Energy-backed, Pirelli-shod FBP Ford Focus WRC, Bird followed up his sixth place finish on his debut last season with a battling performance against the established stars on the popular event which consisted of over 80 miles on the notorious Welsh military roads.

Along with the experienced Welsh co driver Aled Davies, the British Superbike and MotoGP team boss made a good start to hold fourth place after the opening stage which he improved on the second stage to move up to third place with third fastest time.

But the former ANCRO MSA National Champion's hopes of continuing his rise up the leaderboard took a knock when a time-consuming spin on SS3 saw him drop half a minute and dropped him to fourth overall, although just 28 seconds off the lead.

A sensational second fastest time on SS4 saw him get back into the groove which he consolidated on the next stage but it was on the penultimate stage on SS6 which Bird raised some eyebrows as he set the fastest time to safeguard his third place.

A steady run through the final test saw Bird reach the finish 33 seconds behind the two leaders who could not be separated on time after over an hour's competition before it was determined in the favour of Steve Simpson who got the result by virtue of being faster than defending champion Damian Cole on the opening stage.

Paul Bird:
"I'm more than happy with the result considering it's only the second time I've ever been on these roads yet some of these guys know them inside out. The spin on SS3 really hurt us and we lost the tow otherwise I think we could have been much closer to both Steve and Damian. I think I drove well; the car was great and a special thanks to Aled who was absolutely brilliant and more than contributed to our result. I'm looking forward to seeing how we get on when we get to the Isle of Man for the next round as I know my way round there and was only beaten last year by Aled and Melvyn Evans!"

Indeed Bird has taken victory on the Manx National Rally on two occasions in 2009 and 2010 so will be hoping for a maximum points haul on the event which takes place on May 10/11th.

Results

Posted: February 1, 2014 10:41 PM

1 Stephen Simpson/Patrick Walsh Subaru Impreza WRC - 1:04:56
2 Damian Cole/Craig Drew - Ford Focus WRC - 1:04:56
3 Paul Bird/Aled Davies - Ford Focus WRC - 1:05:29
4 Simon Mauger/Brian Cammack - Ford Escort - 1:06:12
5 John Indri/Joe Cruttenden - Darrian T90 GTR - 1:06:48
6 Washington James/Paul Williams - Darrian T90 GTR - 1:08:06
7 Mark Worley/Hamish Campbell - Subaru WRC - 1:08:13
8 Bob Fowden/Steve McPhee - Subaru Impreza - 1:08:34
9 Christopher Jones/Ashley Trimble - Ford Focus STi - 1:08:36
10 John Stone/Lee Carter - Skoda Fabia WRC - 1:08:47

Tour of Epynt - 10 Mar 13 - RESULTS

Results on Line (Tour of Epynt 2013)

North East Rally Services