EDWARDS TO TACKLE TRACKROD IN FIAT 131
Newly-crowned BTRDA Rally Series Gold Star champion Matt Edwards will switch from his usual Ford Fiesta R5 to a historic-spec Fiat 131 Abarth for this weekend’s Trackrod Historic Cup.
Edwards, who is also leading the British Rally Championship with one round remaining, has handed his R5 for the event to prize-drive winner Mat Smith.
Edwards hasn’t competed in the British Historic Rally Championship since Rally North Wales in 2016, when he finished fifth. He did infamously beat Trackrod legend Steve Bannister to win the Historic event in 2013.
“It’s been the plan to drive the 131 for a while assuming we had the BTRDA title wrapped up,” said Edwards. “i’ll happily go and drive anything with a bit of incentive. the plan is to try and give it a good showing against the Escorts. the car is from a bit before my time really! But obviously I’m aware of the history, being the bobblehatter I am. I like a challenge.”
The car is now owned by Pete Smith, who has backed Edwards through much of his career through his Swift Caravans concern.
“We’re still working on it,” said Smith of the car’s performance. “I thought we’d made some improvements but I really struggled with it on the Woodpecker. matt will drive around the problems in the car because he’ll drive anything quickly, but hopefully he can give us some feedback on where it can improve.”
Darren Garrod, Edwards’ regular co-driver, will join him in the 131.