Double British Rally Champion Jonny Milner arrives in the Isle of Man thisweek, and the Yorkshireman from Huggate is more determined than ever torepeat his sparkling victory on the Manx International Rally from lastseason.
Behind the wheel of his Team Dynamics and Pirelli backed Subaru Impreza WRC,Milner and Welsh co-driver Nicky Beech are desperate to do well on the superfast Manx International Rally, after a fraught ending to the recent JimClark Memorial Rally. Milner was gunning for series rival David Higginswith just a couple of stages to go. Only 12 seconds separated the twodrivers but Milner's charge was dramatically ended when the rear of theSubaru caught fire. Fortunately, the flames were extinguished beforeserious damage could be done but the damage to Milner¹s title hopes wasmore severe as Higgins took the maximum points on offer as a result.
As the attention moves to the classic tarmac lanes on the motorsport madIsle of Man, Milner can look back fondly on one of his best everperformances on last years event. Milner and Beech were never headed asthey crushed the opposition with a string of blistering stage times in theirToyota Corolla WRC. The Pirelli shod machine was untouchable as Jonnycruised to a near five minute margin of victory.
For 2004, much the same is required, and Milner is all set to take on thechallenge of the Island once again. The reigning Champion goes in search ofanother maximum points haul after victories in Wales and Scotland this year,and with Higgins not competing on the Manx, Milner knows that he must makethe most of the opportunity to score heavily:
David's absence certainly helps our cause, but you would be foolish tounderestimate the strengths of other drivers who have plenty of Manxexperience. I expect Austin McHale to push very hard and you never know whoelse may spring a surprise on us this week. All we can do is prepareourselves properly, and both Nicky and I are feeling very confident afterour performance here last year. The car is running very well, and the inputfrom our trade sponsors has helped us no end as we look to raise our gamefor this event. Its no secret that the Manx is my favourite rally in theChampionship, and I cannot wait to get started on Thursday evening. Therace for the title really does begin here.
Milner's task will not be made easy by the longest and toughest event in thecalendar. Three days of fast paced action are on offer on the notoriouslytricky Manx lanes. Fast sweeping corners are mixed with off camber sectionsof road and the occasional bumpy section. It all makes for a sinceredriving test and one that Milner is more than up for. The event getsunderway on Thursday, starting with a super special stage on the Ramseyseafront before heading south to the Castletown area.
