COLE AIMING TO GAIN UPPER HAND ON DOWN RALLY
Reigning asphalt champion wants to capitalise on rival Pritchard’s absence
Defending Asphalt Rally champion Damian Cole has said that he will not allow his inexperience of competing on Northern Irish events to get in the way of a second straight win in the series.
Cole inherited the lead of the championship with a maximum score last time out on Rally van Wervik, his case helped when title rival Jason Pritchard retired his Ford Fiesta S2000 with brake problems.
Six-time champion Cole has the chance to extend his 17-point buffer on this weekend’s Down Rally as Pritchard is unable to make the trip across from his Welsh base for personal reasons.
“It was important to get the first maximum score of the season in Belgium,” said Cole. “We went there knowing we had to beat Jason; we were in front when he retired, so it was mission accomplished. We need another maximum score in order to keep the pressure on our rivals.”
However, Ford Fiesta RS WRC driver Cole has never started the Down Rally before, and last competed in Northern Ireland three seasons ago when he tackled the Circuit of Ireland Rally.
Despite this, Cole – who is reunited with Paul Spooner for the fifth round of the 2019 Asphalt Championship – doesn’t believe he will be at too much of a disadvantage.
“We will be going there to do the best we can,” he said. “The aim, as I have said, is to secure maximum points.
“I did the Ulster Rally back in 2004 and the Circuit in 2016 so I know what to expect. The stages over there are very technical; having accurate pace notes for the rally is going to be crucial.”
Saturday’s meeting is also a round of the Northern Ireland Rally Championship, which Derek Mcgeehan leads.
He starts at number five in a Mini John Cooper Works World Rally Car, with reigning and eight-time champion Derek Mcgarrity running seventh in a Fiesta WRC.
Leading the field away in a
Ford Fiesta R5 is last year’s
Down Rally victor, Jonny Greer, who is using it as a warm-up for August’s Ulster Rally, as is reigning British Rally champion Matt Edwards (Ford Fiesta R5).
“The top 10 is very strong – it [the win] could be anyone’s,” said Greer. “We know we have a tough job ahead of us if we want to replicate last year’s result, but that’s why we go rallying.
“Jon [Armstrong] will be very quick in the more powerful WRC car. Matt would also have to be one of the favourites, while Meirion [Evans] has been getting faster and faster all season.”
Jointly organised by Ballynahinch and District Motor Club, and Rathfriland Motor Club, Saturday’s Down Rally will consist of eleven stages, including a spectator special stage within the grounds of Balmoral Park.