Untitled Document

Recent News »

» Fagg starts title defence with Jurby win... READ

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

» Successful 2013 Rally Season for Fagg... READ

Friday, December 13, 2013

» Dual Championship success for Fagg... READ

Thursday, November 14, 2013

» Manx International victory for Fagg... READ

Thursday, September 17, 2013

» Another podium for Fagg in Canada... READ

Thursday, September 12, 2013

» Fagg continues to lead Canadian rally series... READ

Thursday, July 3, 2013

» Archive News

By Mark Corlett (https://www.facebook.com/Markspics)

Isle of Man rally co-driver Rob Fagg got his competitive season and Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship title defence underway last weekend in the best possible way with victory on the 4Hire Jurby Stages. With his partnership continuing in 2014 alongside 19 year old Lancastrian Arron Newby, the pair would eventually take victory by 27 seconds following an event long battle with former World and British trails ace Steve Colley.

Newby and Fagg would once again be aboard their VP Fuels/Pirelli backed TEG Sport prepared Subaru Impreza, commonly known as S17, and following a full re-prep during the off the season the pair were looking forward to the Druidale Motor Club promoted event. The event would also mark the first since the announcement of the team’s new sponsor Beatsons Building Suppliers, support the team were keen to reward.

Despite the success achieved on the Isle of Man in 2013, it would be a new event for the team as they had missed the event last year due to a prior commitment. Although island resident Fagg had contested the event numerous times and that experience would be vital as they looked to be on the pace from the off.

Leading the event away was Colley with Andrew Cowley alongside in their Mitsubishi Evo 9 who report an overshoot on the opening test. That placed against an uncharacteristic start line stall by Newby saw the crews separated by a single second. Former multiple Manx champion Nigel Cannell (Evo 9) partnered by Andrew Rothwell were third quickest but an early penalty for missing a gate dropped them down the order.

Newby and Colley would post identical times on the second stage, a repeat of the first, but on the next two short 3.2 mile tests the Subaru driver would take seven seconds on his rival to go into the lead. Cannell meanwhile was reporting a loss of second gear but had recovered from the early penalty to occupy third spot although almost a minute back on the lead.

As the event reached the half way stage, Newby and Robert Graham & Co Quantity Surveyors backed Fagg had posted another two fastest times to pull clear by 14 seconds from Colley with Cannell still sitting in third. But with the dreaded cone penalties still hanging over the crews the result could change with one small mistake.

Newby and Fagg though would keep a clean sheet and finish the event penalty free and as crews reached the final control the victory had been secured by a 27 second margin. The gap not reflecting how close the battle with Colley had been over the 52 stage miles, Colley dropping 11 of those on the penultimate stage with an overshoot and half spin. Despite picking up further penalties during the second half of the event, the pace of Cannell was enough to secure him the final podium place.

The victory marks the best possible start to the title defence the pair could have asked for, in an event team principal Stuart Newby described as “Far more technical and demanding than we ever imaged”, as Rob explained at the finish.

“Arron and I could not have asked for a better result, it was once again a pleasure to sit next to such a talent and it gives us a good platform to work from for the season. We have to thank our sponsors Pirelli and VP Fuels for their support and the TEG Sport team for once again giving us such a reliable competitive car. It was also a great to repay the faith to our new sponsor Beatsons Building Supplies; hopefully we can continue to do this as the season progresses. A thank you as well to my personal sponsors in particular Rob and Ali Graham who have been long term supporters of mine and without I could not have competed at the level I have.”

The next round of the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship takes place at the start of May with the Manx National Rally. 2013 saw a strong showing from Arron and Rob but a leak in the fuel tank of their Impreza forced them to retire from 4^th place on safety grounds. The whole team will be keen to see how they compare this year against the regulars of the MSA Asphalt Championship, a series which sees the top tarmac drivers in the UK compete.

The team are supported in 2014 by Beatsons Building Supplies, Pirelli, VP Racing Fuels, TEG Sport (www.tegsport.com), Speedline Corse, Cobra Seats, Schroth Racing, PIAA, Ravenol, Border Embroideries and Nicky Grist Motorsport.

Rob is supported in 2014 by Robert Graham & Co Quantity Surveyors, A-dore Furniture (www.a-dore.us), Nicky Grist Motorsport (www.nickygrist.com) and Fastime Stopwatches (www.astopwatch.com)