Following the disappointment of retiring whilst leading the Lee Holland Memorial Rally at Anglesey two weeks ago, Penrith-born racing driver Frank Bird made sure he got back to winning ways immediately by taking a comprehensive victory on today’s LDV Donington Park Rally.
The event formed the final round of the 2019/2020 Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship with MSVR whereby the 20-year-old Cumbrian, along with Hexham co-driver Jack Morton, made it five wins from the seven events they entered, but sadly for them, the scoring system meant they missed out on the title.
In the Dom Buckley Motorsport-prepared Ford Focus WRC07, with backing from VisionTrack, Yuasa, Frank Bird Poultry, Hager, Mac Tools, Fuchs Silkolene and PBM, Frank was in control from the start and set fastest times on all seven stages to cross the finish ramp nearly three minutes ahead of his nearest rivals, former champions Ian Woodhouse and Paul Rowland.
The latest victory added to his winter wins at Knockhill, Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park and Snetterton in the series, as well as the non-championship Christmas Stages Rally at Croft meaning an amazing run of six wins in seven events.
Sadly, a planned outing on next weekend’s Legend Fires North West Stages Rally has been cancelled due to the event being postponed because of the current health crisis.
Frank Bird: “A great way to finish the season in style! It was a fantastic day overall dominating every stage and winning by nearly three minutes. The car felt mega all day so thanks to all the team for today and the season, Jack has been great all year so thanks to him too, and of course all the sponsors for their support. But I couldn’t do this without the brilliant support of my dad so a massive thanks to him. It’s a shame not to win the championship but we did everything we could, hopefully it’s not long until the next event!”
For further information, please visit the team website: www.pbmuk.net
Pictures attached copyright free, courtesy of Steve McKenna, SMJ Photography
Notes to Editors:
Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) are winners of over 180 races in British Superbike Championship, MotoGP CRT, World Superbike Championship, 125cc, 250cc, Supersport British Championships, Superstock National Championships, Isle of Man TT, North West 200, Daytona, Macau GP, and British domestic races. Points scorers in 125cc, 250cc and 500cc GPs. Points scorers in World Supersport, podium finishers in WSB, Superpole winners in World Superbike. They are based at Langwathby near Penrith in Cumbria.
ENDS
