GRANITE 2009 REPORT
The NessRallySport Team of Don Murray and Andy Philip enjoyed yet another solid finish in their Macritchie Highland Distribution backed Subaru Impreza WRX, finishing 48th overall, and making it 3 finishes in the 40s from 3 starts this season, and 7 finishes in the 40s from their last 9 completed events. Consistent, if not spectacular.
A steady run through the first stage blew away the cobwebs but time was lost with an uncharacteristic half spin on Special Stage 2. Around 30 seconds were lost carrying out a 3 point turn in the narrow confines of the stage. The lost time dropped them down the leaderboard, but another steady run over the next stage saw the crew claw back some time. However a further delay caused by dust was to cost them another 30 seconds on Special Stage 4.
The car running 3 cars in front of Don and Andy rolled, so the next car through pulled off the road to assist. That crew then pulled back out on to the stage just as Don and Andy were arriving at that spot. Running immediately behind them in the dust left them with no visibility at all, so they came to a complete stop on a twisty downhill section, and in doing so lost about 30 seconds waiting for the air to clear sufficiently to see where they needed to go.
The remainder of the day was trouble free, and their personal best time of the day on the last stage saw them gain 4 places in the last 6 miles. Don said;-
“We have finished strongly in the last 2 events, with personal best of the day times coming on the last stage, so I need to learn how to start faster and stick to that pace. The fact that I don’t see the car between events probably doesn’t help, but we hope to get some practice time before the next event, which would boost my confidence and make a difference in the early part of each event.”
The team are grateful as ever to Tim Finch of TFRallyesport and his team for their preparation of the car, and on event servicing, and to our sponsors, Donald Macritchie, of Macritchie Highland Distribution, Ness Properties, Rallyimages and Signed Graphics.