Vardy close to sealing B10 title in Fiesta R2

Bob Vardy could give his Ford Fiesta R2 its second BTRDA B10 championship victory in a row after acquiring the car at the start of the year.

The Chesterfield driver bought the car from local friend Rhys Yates, who has moved up into the British Rally Championship. Vardy has managed two class wins in the BTRDA in the car which Yates steered to last year’s championship.

One of his closest title rivals Kit Leigh – in a more powerful Fiesta R200 – retired from the Nicky Grist Stages giving Vardy a 35-point lead in the championship over James Hutchings with 40 points on offer.

“Kit Leigh retired so it was good for the championship situation,” said Vardy.

“It was good, Kit was the target as he’s always been quicker than me but we took a fair bit out of him here. The morning was good, the afternoon was so rough I was worried about the car, I was just keeping it clean.”

Vardy – partnered by Simon John Rogers – will compete on the next two rounds, the Woodpecker in September and the Trackrod in October.