Carnforth-based TEG Sport got their defence of the Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship off to a great start with their two driver's, Elfyn Evans and Adam Gould finishing third and fourth on the season's opening round, Rallye Sunseeker International.
Evans joined the team for the 2011 campaign after winning last years Pirelli Driver Shoot Out and immediately showed his pace on the Sunseeker. Driving the team's Subaru Impreza N15 for the first time in a BRC event, with Andrew Edwards alongside him, the 22 year old spent the first half of the rally getting used to the car before upping the pace and securing third place for vital championship points.
Reflecting on his podium finish, Elfyn Evans said: “I was relatively happy with the stage times early on as I was still getting used to the car but I was braking too early for the tighter corners and having a problem with committing to them like Bogie was. We speeded up a bit in the afternoon but the lines were difficult as the stages cut up quite badly in places on the second loop of stages so I had to adapt my driving style to suit the conditions. The car was perfect and to come away with a podium is a fantastic result so thanks to the team for doing a great job and I’m hoping for another good result on the Bulldog Rally.”
Following close behind was Bristol-based Adam Gould, who only confirmed his entry to the rally a week before the event. Co-driven by Seb Marshall, the 23 year old had his Impreza as high as third at one point, but settled for fourth, less than seven seconds behind his team-mate.
Adam Gould commented on his weekend, saying: “Fourth place is a good result today for us given it was my first time in the car and was so much different to what I’ve driven in the past. I felt some vibration on stage two and discovered the wheel nuts had worked loose which was a scare but then set fastest time on SS4. We lost some time on the second loop this afternoon and because it’s a relatively short event, there wasn’t enough time to claw back the time I dropped but all credit to Elfyn who drove well on his first BRC event in a four wheel drive car. It’s going to be an intense battle all year but I’m looking forward to the Bulldog as I think that rally will suit the Subaru better.”
The result meant the TEG Sport left Dorset happy with their weekends work and will hope for more of the same when they head to Wales for the next round, the International Bulldog Rally of Wales on April 2nd.
TEG Sport Team Principal Stuart Newby added: “Third and fourth places is a mega result for us today, neither driver had any major problems so it was job done as far as I’m concerned. It’s vitally important to get solid points on the board on the opening round so it was a case of taking things steady and making no mistakes and both Elfyn and Adam did just that. It was Elfyn’s first proper outing in a four wheel drive and Adam’s first time in that car too so everyone’s especially delighted with the results and I’m very happy with TEG Sport’s performance this weekend.”
