Isle of Man rally co-driver Rob Fagg is back in action this weekend as he heads to Cumbria for the Malcom Wilson Rally. The event, based in the town of Cockermouth, is the second round of the Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA Rally Series.

After recording a fifth-place finish on the opening round two weeks ago, Kirk Michael resident Fagg will be back alongside regular driver Hugh Hunter in the Melvyn Evans Motorsport Ford Fiesta WRC. Whilst the pair would be happy with a repeat of their Gold Star Championship podium twelve months ago they will be pushing for honours as far up the leaderboard as possible.

“It was great to demonstrate the pace both Hugh and I feel we have and with the Fiesta WRC we have a car to compete against the best in the series”, explained Rob, “The guys at Melvyn Evans Motorsport provided us with a car capable of winning and we hope that we can realise this potential during the year and challenge for the title.”

It will be the ninth time Rob has contested the event with a best result of fourth overall back in 2007 alongside 2017 winner, and number one seed this weekend, David Bogie. Hunter though is also a former winner, taking the top spot back in 2012, but the crew are under no illusion a repeat of that result will be well earned against this weekend’s opposition.

Following Bogie (Skoda Fabia R5) will be Cambrian winner and event local Paul Bird (Ford Focus WRC), with Matt Edwards (Fiesta R5), the pace setter on the opening round away at three. Add to those rapid Irishman Martin McCormack (Fabia R5), reigning BTRDA Champion Stephen Petch (Fiesta WRC) and that’s a strong top five.

With a current weather warning in place across the UK with snow expected as the end of the week approaches, crews could be greeted come Saturday morning with testing conditions. With snow on the stages which will then compact to ice as crews traverse them, Hugh and Rob heading away eighth on the road may be an ideal position – snow or gravel - as Rob explained.

“It’s not a bad position to run where we are, the road will be swept of the loose gravel and that should prove to be an advantage for us. We will also be able to monitor how those crews in front of us are faring and adjust our event as required to achieve the best result possible. If the stages are effect by snow it will again be a good position to run, the cars ahead will clear the surface snow and lay tracks which will provide more grip prior to it becoming polished to ice.”

Nine tests await the crews with the customary runs through Hobcarton, Wythop and Greystoke forests first up ahead of a service in Penrith. Crews then make their way down to the Grizedale forest complex for the longest stage of the event at 12 miles, and two shorter tests, but this year the 35 mile road section is broken by two short runs round Matterdale, a stage only previously used once in recent years. A further visit to Penrith for service allows the crews to regroup before a repeat of the earlier Greystoke stage brings an end to competition.

The event gets underway with the first car away at 07:00 from the home of the Ford World Rally Team M-Sport and with 43 competitive stage miles in wait; those who survive will finish the event around 14:30 in Penrith.

Hugh and Rob’s progress this weekend can be followed throughout the day at http://www.btrdarallyresults.co.uk/results/