Cambrian Rally - (Sat) 18 Oct 14

Posted: November 11, 2014 12:11 PM - 3857 Hits

Round 9 - 2014 BTRDA Rally Series
Round 8 - 2014 Welsh Rally Championship

Perez Wins BTRDA Rally Title

Posted: November 11, 2014 12:11 PM

Chesterfield rally driver Steve Perez clinched his fourth National title following a second place finish on this weekend's Cambrian Rally and in doing so, added to the title he last won in 2010.

Along with Welsh co-driver Paul Spooner, the pair knew that in order to be certain of the title, they had to finish ahead of title rival Paul Bird and were in confident mood after taking their third victory of the season on last month's Trackrod Forest Stages Rally.

Driving the Dansport-prepared ex-Marcus Gronholm Kick Energy Ford Focus WRC07, Perez led following the opening stage as Bird hit problems and from then on, it was a case of keeping out of trouble and managing his advantage over the following seven tests.

Trailing eventual winners David Weston and Kirsty Riddick's Subaru after the second stage, Perez, who had won the Cambrian Rally in 2010, took the fight to them by setting fastest time on SS3 from where he controlled his advantage for the remainder of the event.

Third fastest on SS4 before setting second quickest time on the following stage, Perez opted for caution on the final three tests as he kept out of trouble to cross the Llandudno finish ramp in second place ahead of Bird which was enough to seal him the crown.

Steve Perez:
"I'm obviously delighted to win but it was a really difficult situation as I wasn't sure exactly what to do given I had such a big lead over Birdy after SS1. Conditions were extremely slippery and I found myself driving too cautiously but I didn't want to throw it away either. Birdy was on a charge and setting some brilliant times so I knew I had to keep the pace up which was difficult. But we managed it and to win what I consider to be Britain's most competitive rally series once again is fantastic."

Results

Posted: November 11, 2014 12:06 PM

1. David Weston/Kirsty Riddick - Subaru Impreza WRC - 0:49:52
2. Steve Perez/Paul Spooner - Ford Focus WRC - 0:50:12
3. Paul Bird/Aled Davies - Ford Focus 07 WRC - 0:50:24
4. Matt Edwards/Will Rogers - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX - 0:50:57
5. Stephen Petch/Ian Windress - Ford Fiesta R5+ - 0:51:31
6. Thomas Naughton/Andi Mort - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX - 0:52:33

Cambrian Rally - (Sat) 18 Oct 14 - RESULTS

Results on Line | Results by: Tynemouth Computer Services Rally Results