Julian Reynolds Ulster Rally summary

Narberth based Julian Reynolds overcame dramatic driveshaft failure on last weekends Philip White Tyres Ulster Rally to bring his Reynolds Fencing backed Mitsubishi Evo 9 home third in the Evo Challenge, adding to his recent string of podium positions.

Julian, co-driven as always by Patrick Walsh in the Hankook Tyres shod ex works Mitsubishi, was in the thick of the fight for the lead from the word go, and despite the changeable conditions throughout the event never put a foot wrong. Despite initially struggling to match the pace of championship leader Phillip Morrow Julian upped his game on the second day and was embroiled in a battle with fellow Welshman Sebastian Ling for the runner up spot when a front driveshaft failed on Julian's car in the penultimate stage.

With the Mitsubishi reduced to 3 wheel drive, and torrential rain throughout the last loop of stages Julian was powerless to challenge Ling and limped back to the finish in Armagh happy to claim the final podium position but equally as frustrated to miss out on second.

Second place was there for the taking. Sebastian had his own problems early on and fair play he was driving really well. However, had the driveshaft not failed things might have been different, but then that's rallying. Tarmac always puts such a strain on the transmission. The car was otherwise faultless and a big credit to Dorian Rees for looking after her. The Hankook tyres were fantastic and offered me so much confidence in the changeable conditions!

Julian, who is currently third in the overall Mitsubishi Evo Challenge standings, courtesy of podium positions in 4 of the last 5 events, is currently contemplating his plans for the rest of 2007.

-credit: geoff mayes