The 2019 BTRDA Rally Championship came to an exciting climax last weekend, as Scott Faulkner and Gareth Parry went head to head against rivals Pay Naylor and Ian Lawrence in a winner takes all battle on the Trackrod Rally.
“This event isn’t familiar for me” explained Faulkner getting the excuses in early. “I’ve only competed here once back in 2014 and that was in a Diesel Land Rover Defender! The speeds are going to be dramatically different today, but we’ve got the bit between our teeth and we’re ready for a battle!”
With a new turbo and chassis tweaks carried out by C1-R Motorsport, Faulkner and Parry returned to the wheel of the trusty Professional Motorsport World Expo backed Mitsubishi Evo 9 Group N with one aim to win!
During the night before the rally the heavens opened across the North York Moors, resulting in standing water and muddy conditions for the 45 stage miles that lay ahead the following day. Crossing the finish of the first stage, it was evident the rally was going to be just as close as the rest of the season. Faulkner/Parry held a mere 0.8 second lead over Naylor/Lawrence heading into stage two.
Faulkner pushed on, noting a few slippery sections towards the end of the stage. Drama followed for Naylor/Lawrence as they lost time due to a mechanical issue. With their problem fixed in service they attempted to claw back the 30 second lead Faulkner now had.
A short way into stage three and more drama as Faulkner caught Naylor’s similar Mitsubishi which had succumbed to further mechanical problems! As Faulkner passed they now knew that all they had to do was finish the rally! Naylor had dropped too much time and the pressure was off!
“Driving through the final 2 stages at 80% wasn’t exactly fun” exclaimed an elated Faulkner at the finish ramp. “When there’s no pressure and all you have to do is get to the finish it’s harder to concentrate, which makes finishing a challenge! We hit a bank in the last stage and were sure we’d got a puncture! The Pirelli tyres held up well though and we brought it home!”
This final victory in Group N brings the closest of championships to a close, with Scott and Gareth crowned the 2019 BTRDA Production Cup Champions by only 2 points from Pat Naylor and Ian Lawrence.
“I’m so pleased for everyone in the team” said Faulkner. “It’s time to give everyone something in return for all their support and hard work this year. Gareth and I have only been competing together for 18 months. If we can achieve this in that time, who knows what next year may bring! I want to pass on my personal thanks to Tony and the guys at the Professional Motorsport World Expo who’ve believed in me and pushed me on all year! Equally Chris and the team at C1-R Motorsport have kept the car in tip top condition before, during and after every single event in 2019. Chris has provided expert direction when we’ve needed it most and having the right tools for the job has really helped us achieve this success. I’ve been watching BTRDA events since I was a child, so to come out and win the Production cup in a series I’ve followed for so long is an incredible personal achievement for me”
Scott and the team will now have some time off over Christmas whilst they rebuild the Mitsubishi Evo 9 and create a plan of attack for 2019. Keep your eyes peeled for our plans for 2020.
90right UK Rallying 