Everard takes second podium finish on killer Kielder
James Everard and co-driver Sam Collis achieved their goal of a second consecutive podium finish, at the Pirelli National Rally, leaving them at the top of the standings after two rounds of this year’s Fiesta SportingTrophy UK.
A new Pirelli tyre was made available for the first time at the weekend and proved to be a great success. The tyres and the Fiesta were put through their paces at the shakedown on Thursday before the rally. The new tyres needed higher pressures than their predecessors for the rigorous conditions of the Kielder forest but performed exceptionally well.
Everard and Collis had a race plan to finish on the podium, with a view to consolidate their overall position following a second place finish in the opening event of this year’s Fiesta SportingTrophy. On a tough course, apart from getting airborne on a few occasions, they opted to keep tidy, holding good lines in and out of corners and by avoiding punctures keeping consistently good times through all the stages. This approach resulted in a third place in the second round of the Fiesta SportingTrophy and a very creditable seventh place overall in the Pirelli National Rally. This again highlights the ability and quality of the young driver and the performance of the Ford Fiesta ST to compete against more powerful 4WD rally cars.
Everard said:
“I am very pleased with the overall performance of the Fiesta and the new Pirelli tyres in the testing conditions of the Kielder forest. Sam and I would like to thank the Used Garage Equipment Team for their preparation and support during the rally and give a mention to the sponsors and marshals for a well organised event.”
Everard and Collis can next be seen in the Rally of the Lakes (Killarney) before the third round of the FST UK at the Seven Valley National Rally, which takes place on 31 May.