BIRD FLIES INTO RALLYE SUNSEEKER LEAD
24 February 2006 - Larry Scoop Carter

For the third year in succession Penrith rally driver Paul Bird stamped his authority on the opening night of the twenty first running of the Rallye Sunseeker based in Bournemouth this evening.

After winning the 2005 ANCRO National Championship, the Cumbrian along with Northallerton co driver Ian Windress, set fastest time on both stages along Bournemouth seafront despite the cool conditions on the south coast and as a result he holds a four second advantage from former national champion Roger Duckworth (Subaru WRC), with four times Rallye Sunseeker winner Marcus Dodd (Hyundai Accent WRC) in third.

Driving the ex Petter Solberg Subaru Impreza WRC S9 for the first time the Pirelli backed crew could have increased their lead even further had it not been for a slight misdemeanour on the second of this evening’s stages.

“I could have gone a lot faster but we ended up overshooting a chicane slightly which cost us a couple of seconds” said Bird. “The car’s awesome. I only drove it for a short while yesterday afternoon for the first time and I took to it straight away. Its only four seconds but hopefully we can continue our speed in the forests tomorrow” concluded Bird.

The action recommences tomorrow morning at 8am with just short of 70 miles in and around the forests near the south coast resort.

Top Ten Interim Results (after SS2)

1. Paul Bird/Ian Windress Subaru 2m42.2s

2. Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield Subaru 2m46.2s

3. Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery Hyundai 2m49.1s

4. Craig Middleton/Robin Hernaman Hyundai 2m51.7s

5. Steve Perez/Neil Dashfield Ford Focus 2m52.2s

6. Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry Subaru 2m53.3s

7. Steve Fleck/Anthoney Ettlinger Subaru 2m53.6s

8. Steve Hendy/Mark Milton Ford Escort 2m53.9s

9. John Lloyd/Pauline Gullick Subaru 2m56.3s

= Will Nicholls/Nick Broom Subaru 2m56.3s

­­­= Rob Smith/Alun Cook Subaru 2m56.3s

www.cartersport.com

More News
  For February 2006
  From Larry Scoop Carter
  For Rally
  Driver247.com Home Page