Over the next loop of four stages, a battle would develop with rival George Mckay in his Mitsubishi Evo 6, until his charge was delayed by a faulty turbo pipe. Now in third position their closest challenge would come from Chris Singer in another Evo 6, just 17 seconds back.

The gap between the two was cut down to just ten seconds after stage 9, before Andy and Rob responded by taking 2 further seconds on Singer.

As the duel continued, Singer once again

Andy and Rob fly over one of Otterburn’s many jumps on their way to third. – Photo courtesy of Mick Pattison

responded to put the gap down to a mere eight ticks as they headed for the final long test.

With all to play for, third place was not going to be surrendered easily by the NETELLER.com supported pairing. Despite only posting fifth quickest time it was 11 quicker than the Mitsubishi driver, enough to ensure a podium finish on the cars national rally debut, and the first time Andy and Rob had competed together ended more than satisfactorily.

'It was a fantastic experience to sit in a F2 car, the type which I grew up watching as a kid’, enthused Rob at the event finish. 'Andy and I have had a great day and to be honest the result was totally unexpected. At the start we would have been more than happy with a top 5 in these conditions, but as it is we have done enough for third. I have to say that after my initial nerves I have not stopped smiling all day.'

Following what has been another action packed season for the Manx co-driver he was quick to thank his sponsors for making it possible.

'At the start of the year things looked a little bleak, but in the end it all came good, and I have my sponsors to thank for that. NETELLER this year put their support behind me and this has enabled me not only to compete in various championships but to also be better prepared, I have been able to fly to events rather than use the more time consuming ferries ensuring I get to events in a better physical condition. Rob and Ali Graham have also continued their support throughout what was always going to be a difficult season, and I have to thank them especially for this.'

Not that Rob is winding down for the year, not by a long chalk! He's back in action this Friday and Saturday on the final round of the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship, the Blackhorse Finance Asphalt Stages. He will hope to help Manx youngster Connor Corkill to a good result on the final event of both their busy 2009 seasons.

Rob is supported by NETeller (www.NETeller.com), Robert Graham & Co Quantity Surveyors, www.Mexperience.com, Nicky Grist Motorsport (www.nickygrist.com), Fastime Stopwatchs (www.astopwatch.com) and G8 Products (www.g8products.co.uk)

Media
03/11/2009