Having made his forestry debut in his Subaru Impreza World Rally Car twelve months ago, Damian Cole will now be looking to improve on his low 46th place finish on the Wyedean Forest Rally 2004 as he returns to the rally on Saturday 12th February. Cole was still learning the car as he embarked on the new adventure on last years event, but having contested numerous rallies throughout last season which included the Kwik Fit/ Pirelli British Rally Championship, he feels his improvement will show on Saturday.
The Hereford based Welshman has started the 2005 season in fine form having overcome a problematic Red Kite Rally to finish in seventh place and plans to continue in similar fashion on the Forest of Dean loose surface event. Driving his Get Connected! Subaru Impreza World Rally Car, Cole will be guided in the ACE Motorsport machine by co-driver, Den Golding.
"I did the rally last year with Den, so it is exactly the same set up as last year, but hopefully the driver has improved on his performance behind the wheel. It was the biggest shock of my life last year, I thought the transfer from tarmac to gravel would be easy but it has taken a while to get used to the surface change."
Following the Red Kite Rally the Subaru had a complete engine rebuild and Cole will be aiming to push the car further up the leaderboard than twelve months ago.
"Compared to last year we should be dramatically quicker. I would like to think another top ten place is achievable having set some good times on the Red Kite. I feel more confident in what the car will do at high speed."
The Wyedean will mark the start of Damian's British Trials and Rally Drivers Association Championship, along with the Welsh National Championship campaigns. Damian will also contest the Motorsport Association National Championship and will do selected rounds of the Kwik Fit/ Pirelli British Rally Championship.The rally gets under way from Chepstow Racecourse on Saturday morning with five stages in the Forest of Dean before lunch, then another four in the afternoon before finishing back at the Racecourse. Damian/Den are supported on the Wyedean Forest Rally by Get Connected!, Den Golding Construction, ACE Motorsport and Maximum Attack Promotions.
