Freak incidents halt rally for duo
A broken driveshaft, dislocated thumb and damaged radiator put paid to Stuart Loudon’s hopes during the ADAC Rallye Deutschland last week – but he still loved every minute of it.
Uddingston co-driver Stuart was called up to the World Rally Championship event by Gus Greensmith, following injury to his regular note-taker Craig Parry.
A broken driveshaft on the first day’s penultimate test left their four-wheel drive Fiesta R5 with power only to the rear wheels, and during roadside repairs, Gus fractured his thumb.
Soldiering on into the Panzerplatte stage – which takes drivers through 24 miles and into a military area – the duo then suffered radiator damage and decided to call it a day.
However, Stuart said:“that was such a shame; Panzerplatte is one of Gus’s favourite stages of the season and, even with his fractured thumb, his pace through there was superb.
“Naturally, it’s disappointing not to finish, but to be co-driving alongside one of the world’s rising stars like Gus and to be back working with a world champion team like M-sport has just served to confirm my determination to make it to the top in the co-driver’s seat.
“It has been fantastic to be back in the car again, and fantastic to compete alongside Gus.
“I have to say, I was very impressed with the speed he showed and the ability really shone through in some very, very tricky conditions in the rain on Friday.”