Nuneaton rally driver Matt Beebe was in a jubilant mood at the end of three of the toughest days of his rallying career after sealing a class win in the British Rally Championship on Wales Rally GB – Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship.
The youngster arrived in Cardiff for the start of the three day event with a fight on his hands to secure the R3 title and did so in style in the Hankook MG ZR.
He finished fifth in class and 59th overall – a performance which sees the 24 year old realise his 2006 ambition – to secure the R3 title on the British Rally Championship.
“I’m just so pleased to have won the title,’’ said Matt. “It has been a long and difficult season and this event has not been without its dramas so I’m delighted to have this title,’’ said Matt.
Wales Rally GB was the final round of the British Rally Championship and the World Rally Championship giving Matt the opportunity to compete against some of the very best drivers in the world.
And it was an opportunity the Hankook driver relished – and he was delighted to compete at the very highest level for the second year running.
“It’s been a tough few days which have really tested my driving ability and there have been so many highs and lows – testament to the rally which is legendary as one of the toughest in the world.’’
Action got underway in the tricky Welsh forests on Friday with six high speed tests and Matt was quickly on the pace in his class – N3 – and enjoying the stages just north of Swansea.
Day two was his favourite with the rally moving further north in Wales for six forest stages before a spectator special in front of thousands of spectators in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
“The highlight of the day was driving flat out through the Halfway stage in the dark which was awesome,’’ said Matt. “The car was perfect, the pacenotes worked well and the Hankook tyres coped admirably with the rough conditions.’’
Day three was not as good for Matt who damaged the MG’s rear beam – a problem which worsened on the final Sunday stages and forced him to miss the very final stage of the rally.
But under World Rally Championship regulations Matt opted to take a time penalty and managed to get the car back to the finish in Cardiff and collect his finishing medal.
“It has been an amazing season and a tremendous end for me in the BRC,’’ said Matt. “Now the focus is on planning 2007.’’
