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Third Time 'Lucky' for Perez on RAC Rally |
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Monday, 20 November 2006 |
 TEAM MATE SMITH REPAYS FAVOUR AS DRAMA STRIKES ON FINAL STAGE…
As nostalgic rallying and the spirit of yesteryear returned to the northern forests once again, VK Vodka Kick rally driver Steve Perez finally saw off two years of frustration to reach the finish of the three-day Roger Albert Clark (R.A.C.) Rally today.
Driving the awesome Lancia Stratos along with co driver Peter Martin, the former British Historic Rally and ANCRO National Rally Champion suffered a catalogue of problems on the De Lacy Motor Club event but a combination of the Clay Cross driver’s determination,dedication by the BTR XS Rally team and the efforts of an Escort-driving team mate, saw the pair reach the Harrogate finish in 18th position overall.
Perez’s event got off to the worst possible start when the gear linkage
broke on the first forest stage of the rally and he dropped five
minutes nursing the car through Dalby and the subsequent Staindale test
and then on the second loop through the Yorkshire forests, a broken
steering rack and damaged rear suspension hindered his progress to end
the leg in 32nd position overall.
Knowing any chance of victory was gone, Perez turned ‘Good Samaritan’
when he stopped on the opening stage on Sunday morning to try to help
VK team mate Steve Smith out of a ditch in Ae Forest but to no avail
and his kindness wasn’t rewarded when a broken gear stick was followed
by the loss of fourth gear as he finished the second day in 23rd place.
The final sting in the tail was held in the notorious Kielder Forest –
which claimed Steve and his Porsche two years ago – and it looked as if
his jinxed rally had been put behind him when he reported that only a
puncture in the long Pundershaw stage had slowed them marginally.
However, on the final blast around the Croft racing circuit near
Darlington, an electrical problem stopped the Lancia in mid stage but
Steve Smith repaid the favour when he stopped to assist and between
them, they managed to get the car to the end of the stage and in doing
so, kept Perez on course for the finish.
But the drama still wasn’t over as an emergency electrical supply was
rigged up by the service crew in order to reach the finish which duly
worked and as a result, Steve was elated despite his lowly finishing
position:
“I’m here! I’ve got to the finish!” shrieked the Derbyshire driver as
he crossed the finish ramp at the Yorkshire Event Centre. “It’s been
tough at times and even on the road section here, I wasn’t sure we’d
make it but I’m delighted to finish my first RAC. The interest in the
car has been amazing, there have been thousands of spectators out there
cheering us on and the atmosphere has been fantastic. Thanks to Peter
and also a special mention to the BTR team of Tim Ashton and Gavin Cox
who have done a fantastic job to keep us going. We’ll definitely be
back next year and hope to be in with a chance of victory!” concluded
Perez.
Steve’s next outing is in two weeks time when he crosses the Irish Sea to contest the Killarney Historic Stages Rally.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 20 November 2006 )
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