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| Wright's Evo 9 on the pace during the Malcolm Wilson Rally. Photo : Songasport |
Bentham’s
David Wright was denied the chance of winning the Malcolm Wilson rally
last weekend when a broken gear linkage forced him out of the event in
Grizedale forest.
The
rally kicked off with the Comb stage in Whinlatter forest and Wright
was immediately on the pace, setting second fastest time just four
seconds behind the Ford Focus WRC of Hugh Hunter.
The
Hobcarton stage was next up and Wright continued to push hard in his
Kumho Tyres, Drenth, York Brewery, Proflex and Grove Hill
Garage-supported Mitsubishi Evo 9, powering through the stage in second
place again.
Wright
maintained his second place after the third stage, Greystoke, and he
headed to the first of two tests in Grizedale just nine seconds off the
lead.
“The
first three stages went really well, we were flat out all the way,”
said Wright. “It was very pleasing to be just nine seconds off the lead
with the Grizedale stages to come.”
Wright
usually goes very well in Grizedale and in the first of the two stages
he was an impressive six seconds faster than the rally leader, reducing
the deficit to just three seconds. The scene was set for an attack for
the lead in the second longer Grizedale test but, sadly for Wright, his
victory hopes were ended when the gear linkage broke leaving him stuck
in fifth gear and unable to complete the stage.
“I
really thought we could get the lead in the second Grizedale test. We
had already made up six seconds in the shorter stage so I was confident
we could leave the second stage in the lead. Unfortunately it was not to
be. It’s very disappointing as I think the victory could’ve been ours
but it seems like we’re not having any luck at all so far this year. I
was happy that we again showed we are the fastest in our class as well
as beating most of the drivers in the class above.’
Wright’s next event is scheduled to be the Somerset Stage in April.
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