Saltash rally driver Alan Cookson saw his hopes of a good result on today's Pro-Art Signs Swansea Bay Rally disappear when engine problems curtailed his event on the fifth stage.
Along with London co driver Julian Wilkinson, the Robert Wiseman Dairies, Kick Energy, GillettsSpar.com, Riverside Property Services, montpeliergroup.com and Olverelectrical.com-supported Subaru Impreza World Rally Car pairing held sixth place in the early stages of round six of the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship but was soon in trouble with low oil pressure after the opening loop.
Despite battling against the problem the car eventually cried enough on SS5 with a suspected blown engine to curtail Cookson's bid for ANCRO honours following his retirement on the recent Manx Telecom Rally also.
"The engine went on the way to SS5. I think it's a serious problem, but up until then the car had been going very well. I'm happy we were fifth fastest on the first stage in Walters Arena but this latest setback is disappointing. We're now going to have a think about where to go for the rest of the year."
Results
1, Steve Perez/Paul Spooner - Ford Focus WRC - 0:49:02.0
2, Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery - Hyundai Accent WRC - 0:49:10.6
3, Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield - Subaru Impreza WRC - 0:49:32.4
4, Daniel Barry/Martin Brady - Mitsubishi Lancer - 0:51:15.5
5, Daniel Sigurdarson/Andrew Sankey - Mitsubishi EVO X - 0:51:16.6
6, John Lloyd/Pauline Gullick - Ford Focus WRC - 0:52:27.6
Picture attached of Alan Cookson in action on today's Swansea Bay Rally, courtesy of Simon Clarke.
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