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Leading Manx co-driver Rob Fagg has had some testing times
lately, experiencing back to back retirements for
the first time this season, but he was able to put
that behind him as he had the opportunity to
experience a Ford Fiesta WRC for the first time.
Back in July,
Robert Graham & Co Chartered Quantity Surveyors backed
Rob and Welshman Hugh Hunter looked to get their
BTRDA campaign back on track as they contested the
Nicky Grist Stages in Wales. Using the Dom Buckley
RSC-prepared R.S. Hunter Tarmac-backed Ford Fiesta
R5 they lay in fourth spot within striking distance
of the top three after the opening three stages.
However, a problem with the powering steering during
the next stage cost 20 seconds to title contender
Callum Black in a similar Fiesta, dropping them to
fifth. Further drama struck when the car developed a
misfire from the start of stage five and despite
reaching the end they would retire the car with the
fault incurable.
Their first retirement of the season seriously dented any
aspirations of championship success for Hunter and
Organic Construction Solutions supported Fagg,
leaving it a two horse race between Black and
Stephen Petch (Fiesta WRC) unless both should retire
from the final two rounds.
“The retirement really put an end to our
championship challenge, our fate is now in the hands
of others. Stephen (Petch) and Callum (Black) only
need a strong score from the final two events, so
it’s going to be a long shot.”
August bought a change of surface and driver as
Fagg, with the backing of MC Locksmiths, travelled
to Northern Ireland to tackle the tarmac roads the
Ulster Rally had to offer alongside Motorcycle Road
Racing star Michael Dunlop.
Dunlop and Fagg enjoyed success on the event in 2016
notching up a class win and third overall in the
National category, a result they were hopeful of
repeating in the same DEN Motorsport-prepared and
run MD Racing Ford Escort MkII
Drama was not far away though, an issue with the
intercom as the crew entered the very first stage
just as heavy rain hit. The issue meant that Michael
was unable to hear the pace notes Rob was calling to
him, making it very tricky in the conditions,
posting a 21st quickest time.
After that disappointing start, they emerged from
the next stage having moved up to 16th,
and then 14th as they headed for the first service
halt, although they had now developed a misfire and
sticking throttle which was hampering progress.
As they tackled a repeat of the three stages they
continued to pick of the places, and as the car was
placed into Parc Ferme for the night they had broken
into the top ten, lying 9th aided by two
fifth quickest times It showed the pace was there
when the issues weren’t!
Dunlop and Burger Man Catering sponsored-Fagg knew
as they started the second day the aim was to
continue the recovery form the early time loss, and
what better way than by setting second fastest time
on Saturday’s opening stage, lifting them up to 6th
overall with the gap to 5th closed
further as they reached the end of stage eight.
That would be the last time Michael and Rob would
post however. Mid-way through stage nine the Escort
left the road as Michael fought to slow down the car
when he experienced a loss of breaks as they headed
to a tight right hander after a quick downhill run.
With the car firmly stuck off the road in a ditch it
was the end of their charge, the pair left very
disappointed.
“After the performance on the Donegal Rally back in
June we were confident of continuing the pace on the
Ulster. We knew though we had to get off to a strong
start and not give up too much time early on”
commented a despondent Rob, “The problems we
experienced early on put us on the back foot, but
with everything fixed the confidence came and that
showed as we climbed the leaderboard. We are both
gutted, but there will be another chance.”
The start of September saw a return to the loose as
Rob re-joined Welshman Hunter in Shropshire and on
to the Woodpecker Rally the seventh round of the
BTRDA Championship. After using a Focus WRC and
Fiesta R5 already in the series, the pair would use
their third different car of the campaign, a Melvyn
Evan Motorsport Fiesta WRC.
With only limited mileage from a short test ahead of
the event, Hugh and Rob looked to build their
confidence and pace, whilst hoping to be competitive
at the same time. After two stages they held onto
fourth spot, which would become third and then
second as they reached the second service of the
event, despite feeling that the tyres had gone off
on the fourth stage.
Stage five though would see a drop back down the
order to fourth; Hugh and Rob left wondering just
where they had dropped time to their rivals. It
would be this position they retained as they reached
the finish, following home Petch, who’s result
crowned him the 2017 champion, and Black who secured
second in the series by taking top points.
While the top two places are resolved, the final
podium spot is up for grabs and something that Hugh
and Rob are keen to achieve.
“It’s been great today to sample the Fiesta WRC, I
certainly think it suits Hugh as a driver over the
R5 and hopefully we can secure the use of it for the
Trackrod Rally” explained Rob, “It’s been a mixed
year in the series for us and while the potential
has been there we have just failed to turn that in
the result we both know we were capable of. Stephen
and Callum have driven excellently this year, and
congrats to Stephen and Michael (Wilkinson) on the
title”.
Ahead of the Trackrod Rally at the end of September
is Rally Isle of Man, an event which Hugh and Rob
have entered returning to the Fiesta R5 and wanting
to gauge themselves against the British Rally
Championship crews.
Rob is supported in 2017 by Robert
Graham & Co Chartered Quantity Surveyors, JR
Hinchliffe Plumbing and Heating, Burger Man
Catering, MC Locksmiths and Organic Construction
Solutions. |
