KINGDOM 2007 REPORT   

Nessrallysport’s Inverness based driver, Donald Murray, saw his dismal season continued at the Kingdom Stages Rally at Crail Airfield, on the 3rd of November.

This was only the teams 3rd outing this year, and their second early retirement.

“We lost 3 minutes on the first stage due to our new tyres fouling the wheel arches and having to stop to try and sort that. A change of wheels at first service fixed that problem and saw us set a respectable time on the second test. However when we fired the car back up to head off for the 3rd test the alternator seized, snapping a belt. We found a replacement belt, but the alternator was not keen to free off, so we decided to live to fight another day, and headed for home again early. Very disappointing given that this very item was replaced prior to the last event, so really shouldn’t have failed so soon. On the plus side we have found that we still have the bug for the sport, and have fixed so much on the car this year that we feel sure we will reap the benefits in 2008.”

The team will now have a break until they return to gravel for the Snowman Rally in Inverness on the 16th of February next year. A 7 event program is planned for the season, consisting of 4 gravel and 3 tarmac rallies. The plan is to retain the current car for another season.

The team would like to thank Inverness businesses M and M Auto Repairs, Macritchie Highland Distribution, Ness Properties and Signed Graphics of Forres for their support throughout the year, and also the Stornoway Gazette for following our exploits. We look forward to having some good news to share with their readers in 2008!