‘Bogie’s strong pace has given him optimism’
Scottish ace impresses,
David Bogie believes the pace shown in WRC2 on last weekend’s Wales Rally GB can make him a contender for the British Rally Championship when he returns next year.
Bogie set times quicker than some of the hottest properties in rallying in the class, beating Toyota-bound Esapekka Lappi and the experienced Jan Kopecky on stages on his way to ninth in the class, despite having to Rally2 on Saturday.
“Yeah, it’s really positive looking at next year,” he said. “I’ve been looking at the times there and there are several stages where we’ve taken time out of Lappi, Tidemand, Kopecky, they’re all guys I look up to and to be on the same pace as them is something.”
The 29-year-old retired on Friday after hitting a rock in the middle of the road and bending a steering arm. However, such was his pace on Saturday and Sunday that the CA1 Sport driver could return to the top 10.
“I’m pleased, obviously the times, especially yesterday and today, have been impressive,” said the Dumfries driver. “It’s just a shame about Friday. Others managed to drive around the rock so it’s just part of the job.
“We’ve not put a foot wrong yesterday and today and the times have been good. I think there’s a lot of positives.”
Bogie switched to the Skoda Fabia R5 from the Ford Fiesta R5 at the start of the year, and after multiple years on organiser’s notes he now makes his own. He has had to step up to compete with WRC2 drivers Elfyn Evans and team-mate Fredrik Ahlin this year.
A crash on the Pirelli and radiator maladies in Scotland ended any hopes of a top three finish in the championship. He ended the campaign in seventh place.