Calvert and Cookson take ..

gravel and asphalt awardsNeil Calvert and Arlene Cookson have been announced as the winners of both the Water End Properties Asphalt and Gravel Cups after a great season in their Lotus Cortina in the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship.For the first time, one crew has won both of the special awards, one presented for the best performances on the three asphalt rallies and one for the five gravel rallies. Calvert and Cookson have been dedicated followers of the BHRC in their familiar Lotus Cortina and had a great season in 2008, with a 100% finishing record on the demanding eight-event schedule."I suppose we can put our accomplishment down to consistency, we have finished all eight rounds and we have had class wins on six of them. Neil has stripped, checked and rebuilt the car between each event. The car is the star; she has now competed on 148 rallies," said Cookson, who says that 2008 is her last full season of co-driving. "To now be told that we have won the gravel and asphalt cups is fantastic, and has made the commitment all the more worthwhile."What we do not have to forget here is luck," said Cookson. "We have had quite a bit of that on our side, especially on the Tour of Flanders where we were 20 seconds from being OTL after service and we limped back at the end of the rally and over the podium with a broken diff. We have thoroughly enjoyed our rallying this year. We have had some great fun and plenty of laughter!"

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