ESCORT BATTLER COLE PREPARES FOR ASPHALT ATTACK

Ford Escort Mk2 driver Brad Cole has confirmed plans for a second season in the BTRDA Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship, following a successful inaugural campaign.

The Somerset-based driver came very close to winning the over two-litre class B13 after a big battle with Darren Atkinson. Cole and has already stripped the engine, gearbox, suspension, and axle from the car, ready for rebuilding over the winter. Cole told MN: “We have started early on preparing for 2023, because the calibre of events and the standard of competition in the Protyre series make it extremely tough to do well in, so we need to be as far ahead of the game as we can.”

Cole admits to being surprised at his pace throughout 2022, when he finished seventh in the overall drivers’ standings and with class wins at the Argyll Rally and Rali Ceredigion. “We went into our first year looking to learn the rallies and maybe get a good result or two,” he said. “Halfway through the season we realised we could win the class. From then on, we pushed more. Unfortunately, the car broke on the title decider on the Isle of Man. In 2023 we aim to attack and try to win class B13.”

Cole will resume his successful in-car partnership with co-driver Jamie Vaughan starting at the East Riding Stages in Yorkshire on

February 26.