Red Dragon rally report 21.5.2005

The Diamond Motorsport MG ZR arrived at Swansea for the latest round of the BTRDA 1400's having hopefully cured a problem with the gearbox. The weather was looking very unsettled on the morning of the event but a day of testing new suspension parts was the main priority.

The first stage at walters arena was very slippy but the crew soon got back into the swing after a 6 week break setting fastest N1 time. Stage 2 was mostly dry but a spin lost a few seconds,despite this the lead in N1 was increased by 5 seconds. Stage 3 passed without any real problems and stage 4 saw the pair slide briefly into a ditch on a very sliipy left hand corner. On exiting stage 4 the pair discovered a front puncture but it did not seem to hold them up much on the stage as they made it four fastest N1 times in a row. Stage 5 was a 10 mile blast but it was soon clear that it was going to be quite rough in places, to make matters worse the heavens opened and the crew had to tackle the stage in a very slippy condition, Niall elected to back off a little to make sure of a puncture free run and was really quite surprised to once again be fastest N1. The last stage was a short run through Walters Arena and another fastest time saw the 4th class win in a row for the team. At this point it is only fair to mention the team that look after the car, Mark Simpson, Derek Bilson and Niall jnr. There is also another guy that without his help these wins would just not be possible. Mega thanks go to John McKean for his engineering skills. The crews next event will be the Dukeries rally in june.