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Gr.B RX-7 scores top 5 stage time on Belgian Classic Rally
The Silverstone Autosport Gr.B Mazda RX7 made a return to International rallying on Boucles de Spa event in Belgium recording a 2nd fastest overall stage time on stage 3 of the event.
The UK crew of David Paveley and Andy Bull faced an uphill struggle when no all-weather or snow tyres could be made available for the snow and ice covered stages in east Belgium. Instead the crew gambled on a set of single venue Dunlop A2's which made driving the car on the slippery sections very entertaining for the spectators and kept them busy in the car.
"We really struggled on the first 2 stages. We did push when there was grip, so we knew we were doing the best we could with what tyres we had available to the team", commented Paveley. "On stage 3 we saw our chance as there was little snow, so I pushed as hard as I dared - we knew it was going well when half way through the stage we caught a Porsche 911 that had pushed us on the previous snowy stage. At the end we were 2.9 seconds short of recording a stage win, but rewarding for the team as they have worked so hard to get the car to the level it is at now". The crew had indeed beaten on stage 3 not only the fastest drivers in Belgium, including multiple Belgian Champions.
The tyre situation was to worsen and on stage 9 the tyres completely ran out of grip and on a straight section of road the car aquaplaned through a fence and into a field damaging the headlamps. The organisers would not let the crew continue without forward facing lights sending the car into retirement.
"It was a shame to end the rally in this way, but in retrospect we proved that the car and team are now ready to run at the front, and a rally win is now in reach.", said Paveley.
25.2.2010
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