Newly crowned 2007 MSA National Gravel Rally Champions Marcus Dodd and Andrew Bargery will lead the field away as Car 1 on the Bulldog National Rally based in Oswestry on October 20th. After clinching the coveted title on the recent Killarney Forest Stages in Ireland, the HPM Motorsport team can now enjoy themselves on some of the finest forest roads used within the series this coming weekend.
The Flitewise.com, Pirelli Tyres and Sunoco Fuels backed Hyundai Accent WRC4 has been the form machine in this years championship with Marcus regularly able to outpace his rivals en route to his third National crown. A series of consistently fast and trouble free displays meant that Poole based Dodd arrived in Ireland recently needing only to beat arch rival Steve Perez in order to take the title trophy for the third time.
Perez suffered an unfortunate puncture and dropped nearly a minute early on leaving Marcus and Andrew to cruise home to score maximum championship points, taking the title in the process. With any championship pressure now well and truly off, Marcus will go head to head with a number of leading National drivers on the keenly anticipated final round in Wales.
Perez will be making the journey across from Chesterfield for the event, and Cheshire driver Jon Ingram will also be keen to repeat his recent win on the Plains Rally. Long time National competitor Andy Burton will also be keen to join the battle in his venerable Peugeot-Cosworth. With plenty of opposition, Marcus is keen to get off to a good start ahead of 65 miles in the forests of Dyfnant, Dyfi, Pantperthog and Gartheiniog.
“There’ll be a few people out to prove a point on the last round of the year that’s for certain” said Marcus. “Steve (Perez) was frustrated with his puncture in Killarney and I know he’ll be really up for the battle this weekend. Andy Burton and Jon Ingram had a good battle on the Plains Rally which uses many of the same forest roads that we’ll use on the rally, so they will certainly be ‘match fit’ for the Bulldog. I’m just going out to enjoy myself as our job for the year is done. I’m delighted to be the new champion as it was something that the team had worked very hard for over the past couple of seasons. We’re under no pressure so it will be nice to go out and just compete for the fun of it whilst still pushing hard. I’m sure it will be a very close battle for the Top 3 honours on the event which should make it interesting for all of us.”
HPM Motorsport will once again be fielding a two car team with Harry Dodd and Richard Skinner occupying a second identical Hyundai Accent WRC.
