Oxfordshire: Peugeot final day summary

Dale wins S1600 Class on home rally.

The final round of the 2002 British Rally Championship -The Michelin Tempest Stages - witnessed Peugeot Super 1600 official works driver, Justin Dale from local town Chilbolton, take the Super 1600 class win for the 4th time this season in terrible weather conditions. He finished 6th overall on the event.

After a challenging rally often with fallen trees and bracken on stages to contend with, Dale commented; "We struggled quite a bit this weekend with traction, particularly today as the weather was making the stages very slippy and water logged."

Dale, who held off nearest competitor Ryan Champion in a Ford Puma, at one point thought he would be forced to retire early when; "We were going into stage 10 and the mud was so deep we only just got out." commented Dale. And an almighty jump near the end of stage 14 saw him leave the bumper behind. The "moment" continued into the chicane where he just escaped without further harm.

Holding the lead in the Super 1600 class for the whole day in his Peugeot 206 Dale believes this is the end of an era. "I'm really glad to have won the class on my home rally. My family and friends were expecting me to, and it's my bit for all the fans who have been so loyal over the years. I had a tear in my eye when we approached the final stage today as I knew it would be my last time out in a BRC works Peugeot 206."

Adding to his excitement Peugeot Motorsport Manager, Mick Linford commented; "Justin has always been great for Peugeot. He has done us proud over his 11 years with Peugeot and the last 6 years as works driver. We will miss him in the team but wish him the best of luck in his new World Rally Championship venture."

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