Darren Gass round two preview

GASS SWITCHES TO CITROEN

Young Northern Irish driver Daren Gass will drive his newly acquired Citroen C2 S1600 for the first time in anger on the forthcoming Jim Clark International Rally

He will be joined in the new car by regular co driver Neil Shanks who will only see the car for the first time on the Friday of the rally. "I have driven the car for just ten miles on the roads near my house." said Darren, "but hopefully I'll get a chance to test a little more before the start. The problem is that the springs are French tarmac specification and we'll probably only get the right ones just before the rally."

Despite the suspension being too stiff Darren has nothing but praise for the little Citroen, "Everything about the C2 is 100% better than the Fiesta; the gear change, the ratios, the engine, everything. Even the guys from Crosier Motorsport like it already; apparently the front bumper is held on with three screws so you can access the parts behind like the power steering pump quickly. It has been well designed I'm already excited about using it."

The team has been looking for a replacement to the Ford for the gravel rounds of the Championship and was considering four wheel drive. But the additional development of the Citroen means that the swap will be for all the remaining events

The rally kicks off on Thursday evening with a shakedown at Kelso's Floors Castle but the action proper stars on Friday. Two spectator stages near Duns are followed on Saturday and Sunday by fast and furious asphalt Berwickshire stages. The 160 mile event then finishes in the centre of Kelso on Sunday afternoon.

-credit: dgr