Cumbrian rally driver Paul Bird must wait another year before adding a record-equalling fourth Malcolm Wilson Rally victory to his tally after finishing runner-up for the second consecutive year after another epic battle in the Lake District forests this weekend.
Driving the Fuchs Titan, Rapid Solicitors, MinxFlix.com and Kick Energy-backed Frank Bird Poultry Ford Focus WRC07, Bird and co driver Carl Williamson were forced to settle for second place just 20 seconds down on Scottish pairing Euan Thorburn and Paul Beaton (Ford Focus WRC) at the Cockermouth finish after the 45 stage miles of competition on round two of the REIS Get Connected BTRDA Rally Series.
Back in his local forests after his retirement on last year's Grizedale Stages, the British Superbike and MotoGP team boss from Langwathby, who won the event in 2004, 2006 and 2007, set about his chase for victory with fastest times on the opening two stages in Hobcarton and Comb which he consolidated in Greystoke to lead by five seconds over Thorburn going into the two tricky Grizedale stages.
But the forest near Coniston wasn't kind to the three times winner once again and despite a good clean through the first 7.33 miler, Bird surrendered the lead to Thorburn by eight seconds and the Scot increased that advantage to 26 seconds after the 10.8 miles of Grizedale South.
Bird clawed back eight seconds with an amazing fastest time in Greystoke to set up a thrilling climax but only the short Wythop test remained where Thorburn eased to victory to deny the former National Champion a fourth win to equal Bill Dobie's record going back thirty years.
Bird said: "After losing out by just three seconds last year, I was really up for winning this year although I knew it wouldn't be easy with such a strong entry. We had a good run through the first three stages and I was feeling confident going into Grizedale but Euan just humped me in there. I thought I was driving really well but he took a chunk of time out of me so fair play to him. I'm a bit deflated to be honest as well as a little disappointed but I can have no excuses. The car was faultless, Carl and the team did a great job, but I'll be back again next year to try and get that elusive fourth win."
