Kenny, Gwynn Ulster Rally summary

Kenny & Gwynn experience 'diff'icult Ulster

British Rally Championship young guns Nick Kenny and George Gwynn struggled with differential problems on last weekends Ulster Rally but, showing true grit and determination, persevered to come home eighth in class.

Telford based Nick and Machynlleth resident George were both visiting the Ulster Rally for the first time and as such were looking to keep their noses clean and just gain experience of the notoriously difficult event. However, very early on Nick reported handling anomalies with the K-motion backed Subaru. Despite a full diagnostics check by the Geoff Jones Motorsport technicians no apparent problems could be identified.

The pair persevered into the second leg but the handling problems worsened until the front differential eventually gave up, leaving the Subaru with only rear wheel drive. This made life entertaining as Nick adapted his driving style and did well to bring the car back to service unscathed. A swift diff change by the Geoff Jones Motorsport crew saw the pair return to the stages with only minimal time penalties but the early time loss would prove to be a great handicap.

Leg 1 was really frustrating as we could feel that something was not right, and yet there was nothing apparent-- until the diff gave up! The Ulster Rally has a fierce reputation and having contested it we can see why! There is a lot of dirt pulled onto the roads and the level of grip changes from bend to bend but we learnt so much this weekend.

The Subaru will now be converted back to gravel specifications as the British Rally Championship heads next to the International Rally of Yorkshire. Nick and George will prepare for the return to gravel by running as course car on the forthcoming Plains Rally which is based in Welshpool.

For more on Nick and George please visit www.nickkenny.co.uk and www.george-gwynn.co.uk

-credit: geoff mayes