COLE SPINS TO SECOND
Damian Cole took time out from his Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship campaign to contest the SGC Printing Harry Flatters Rally 2004. The Hereford based Welshman keen to blow the cob-webs off his ACE Motorsport prepared Darrian T90 GTR. Pairing up with last years winning co-driver, Gwynfor Jones for the Epynt classic, Cole was hoping for an outright win in the lightweight machine, while the woolly pedestrians of Mid Wales were to have other ideas.
After completing two laps of the Ministry of Defence land, which totalled eight of the eighteen stages making up the competitive mileage of the event, Cole held a four second lead from his nearest rival. This gap was reduced to three seconds by stage sixteen, with only two stages remaining Cole was keen to extend his lead on the two longest stages of the day.
On the first of these long stages, less than a mile into the fifteen mile test, Cole came across several local residents standing in the road. Taking drastic action to avoid hitting the sheep resulted in a high speed spin and the car facing the wrong direction.
"Avoiding the sheep meant going on the grass and caused a very fast spin, facing the other direction with cars starting at thirty second intervals didn't give us much time to turn around, but we did it with no further drama, although I was very wary of the potential danger."
The result of the spin was the end of any chance of a win. Throughout the day the weather had threatened rain throughout, with only light drizzle to dampen the surface, not enough to warrant a change in tyre choice. However, the last stage of the day was further hampered by further rain mid stage causing another spin for the Welsh pairing in the 2.5 litre rear wheel drive Darrian.
"I had hoped to come away with a win, after such a good run throughout the day, but after two spins on such unforgiving terrain, second place could well have been retirement so we have to be pleased with this result."
Damian will return to Epynt on August Bank Holiday weekend to contest the Mewla National Rally on Sunday 29th August. He is yet undecided whether to use the Darrian or his Subaru Impreza World Rally Car for the rally.
"Going back on Epynt, is just a week before the Ulster Rally, so we have to decide whether to risk the Subaru or use the Darrian."
Damian/Gwynfor were supported on the SGC Printing Harry Flatters Rally 2004 by O2 & Get Connected!, Welsh Automotive Forum, Matador Tyres, ACE Motorsport and Maximum Attack Promotions.
