Rallye Sunseeker: TEG Sport event summary

Defending British Rally Champions TEG Sport got their 2011 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship underway in great style with the team's two drivers, Elfyn Evans and Adam Gould, finishing Rallye Sunseeker in third and fourth places respectively.

Making his debut for the Carnforth-based team as part of his prize for winning the Pirelli Shoot Out last year, 22 year old Welshman Evans from Dolgellau, along with Aberystwyth co driver Andrew Edwards, finished less than half a minute behind the winners, David Bogie and Kevin Rae, after 11 dramatic stages which comprised the popular Bournemouth based event.

Driving the Subaru Impreza N15 for the first time in BRC competition, Evans started off steadily and was well placed inside the top five during the first half of the rally before upping the pace on SS6 as he got more used to the car whereby he leapt into third place and remained there until the finish to rack up important championship points.

Following him home was 23 year old Bristolian Adam Gould and co driver Seb Marshall from Chesterfield who brought their Subaru home in fourth place less than seven seconds behind their team mates. Gould, who only confirmed his participation the week prior to the event, was as high as third at one point but had to settle for a top four placing in the end.

The result also means that the TEG Sport team scored well in the Team's Championship going into the next round in a month's time whereby both Evans and Gould will be looking to continue their good form on the International Bulldog Rally of Wales on April 2nd.

Elfyn Evans: "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."

Adam Gould: "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."

Stuart Newby - TEG Sport Team Principal: "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."

-source: teg sport