Double podium but Perez concedes title
VK Vodka Kick rally driver Steve Perez endured a hectic weekend of action only for it to end in disappointment as he failed in his bid to win the 2007 Hankook MSA Gravel Rally Championship despite finishing in a brave third place on today's Malton Killarney Forests Stages Rally which comprised the penultimate round of the ANCRO-organised Championship.
Along with Berwickshire co driver Claire Mole, the Chesterfield businessman made the trip over to the Irish Republic on Saturday evening after taking his 2003 Ford Focus WRC to third place in the Woodpecker Stages Rally in Wales before hooking up ith his team and his 2005 car for today's rally in the forests around County Kerry.
Needing a victory to keep his title chances alive and also needing some misfortune to strike arch rival Marcus Dodd, the writing was on the wall for the 2004 National Champion when on the opening stage today, he suffered a puncture resulting in a fifty second time loss and with SS2 being cancelled also, he was fighting a losing battle.
By SS4, he had hauled himself impressively up to fourth overall but his charge was hindered when he spun but despite a chage though the final stages, he had to settle for third overall and second of the ANCRO registered crews.
"The Woodpecker was good but it was really dusty out there and that hindered us a bit and today, I was pushing too hard to make up for being so far behind following the puncture on SS1 that we just spun. I took about 14 seconds out of Marcus on stage five but it’s still rough and horrible.”
He continued: "Marcus has won the championship and congratulations to him. We had a tough day and it’s just not been enough, the puncture cost us the rally and the championship. We gave it our best shot by doing both rallies this weekend but luck’s just not been on our side” said Steve who has finished all ANCRO rounds on the podium but with two dropped scores top take into account, it is mathematically impossible for him to win the title.
Provisional results:
1 Stephen Moore/Greg Shinnors Ford Focus WRC 54:02
2 Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery Hyundai Accent WRC 54:17
3 Steve Perez/Claire Mole Ford Focus WRC 55:08
4 Keith Cronin/Anthony O'Connell Mitsubishi Evo 7 55:21
5 Jock Armstrong/Kirsty Riddick Subaru Impreza 56:49
6 Emma McKinstry/KennyHull Subaru Impreza 57:55
7 John Reid/Enda Shields Toyota Corolla WRC 58:32
8 Kevin O'Kane/Martin Brady Subaru Impreza WRC 58:42
9 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan Ford Escort Mk2 59:34
10 Colm McBride/Rodney Hicks Mitsubishi Evo 8 59:53
2007 MSA Gravel Rally Championship Standings (provisional, including one dropped round):
1. Marcus Dodd 122
2. Steve Perez 111
3. Jock Armstrong 88
4. Philip Morrow 86
5. Sebastian Ling 68
6. Roger Duckworth 67
2007 Calendar
23/24 February Rally Sunseeker (Bournemouth)
24 March Brick and Steel Border Counties Rally (Jedburgh)
11/12 May RBS International Manx Rally (Douglas)
2 June Severn Valley Stages Rally (Builth Wells)
21 July Swansea Bay National Rally (Swansea)
2 September Killarney Forestry Stages Rally (Killarney)
20 October Bulldog Rally (Oswestry)