BTRDA: Steve Perez round three summary

BTRDA Rally Championship -- Round 3 -- North Humberside Forest Stages Rally, Hull -- Saturday 27th March

Maximum Points for Perez

VK Vodka Kick Rally Team driver Steve Perez saw his disappointment of not winning today's North Humberside Forest Stages Rally tempered by the fact that he scored maximum points in round three of the BTRDA Rally Championship based in Hull.

The Chesterfield driver, along with co driver Neil Dashfield, saw his chances of overall victory scuppered by a spin on the final stage and as a result, the Ford Focus WRC pairing had to give second best to the Subaru Impreza of late entry Barry Johnson by a miserly three seconds after three quarters of an hours competition in the Yorkshire forests.

But the fact that Johnson was not registered for the series meant that Perez took the maximum points available to get his title campaign back on track after rolling out of the Malcolm Wilson Rally earlier in the month.

"It's my fault in as much as I threw it away and I lost ten seconds at least having to reverse which has cost me the win" said the British Historic Rally Champion. "At least we had a good run and I've got my confidence back after my Malcolm Wilson accident and to gain maximum points in a bonus".

Third fastest around the Olivers Mount motorcycle racing circuit despite being held up when he ironically caught Johnson as they lapped the Scarborough stage, Perez continued his assault as the event headed for the forests.

There he stayed for much of the event as a battle royal was fought out on the stages with never more than a handful of seconds separating the leaders. Poised for a bid on the final test in Gale Rigg, Perez remained upbeat despite his misdemeanour which cost him the win.

"I'm happy with the result and this is good practice for next weekend's Astra Stages" concluded Perez.

Results
1, Barry Johnson/Stewart Merry -- Subaru Impreza WRC 44m30s
2, Steve Perez/Neil Dashfield -- Ford Focus WRC 44m33s
3, Charlie Payne/Craig Thorley -- Hyundai Accent WRC 44m39s
4, Graham Middleton/John Morgan -- Hyundai Accent WRC 44m41s
5, Ryan Champion/Cliff Simmons -- Mitsubishi Lancer 44m41s

The next round takes place on 24th April with the WRC Sales Somerset Stages.

-vkvkrt-