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> Colin McRae Stages
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Round 5 of the UK fst brought us to the McRae stages in Perth, Scotland. The rally had a special feel about it with so many special guests there, indeed I never thought I’d be standing beside Ari Vatanen and Dave Richards at a drivers briefing! So to stage 1, Fonab, and we were 4th quickest, two seconds off the lead, quite a unique stage of the rally, which also saw some of the other Irish competitors hit trouble, which never helps the confidence. Going into stage 2, the longest of the rally, we were welcomed by thousands of spectators, I’ve seen nothing like it before and I doubt I will again, the first 4 miles were lined with people. Everything was fine until around 5 miles from the end we picked up two punctures, just like Swansea! It was hard to take but you can’t account for these things happening. We drove to the end of the stage and dropped around one minute to the lead fiesta. Stages 3 and 4 were to be the last two as stage 5 was cancelled due to a car going off. Stage 3 we had some handling problems after the puncture but on stage 4 we were able to get back into the groove and set a respectable time, equalling the championship winner. We got the car home to Perth town centre in 6th, with Finish driver Nikara winning on his first trip to the UK FST. It was disappointing to get the punctures, when I was trying to play safe having picked up two punctures on stage two of the mcrae stages in 2007! Had it not been for the punctures we would have finished 3rd, but then I’m sure everyone has a hard luck story! I enjoyed the rally, taking part in such a huge event was special, the coltness car club were outstanding and as usual made the overseas competitors very welcome, this is one rally I’d recommend.
One round left, the Malton stages in Yorkshire at the start of November, championship wise we could finish anywhere between 2nd and 7th so the last round will be exciting to say the least!
Liam
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