After a break of almost three months, Rob Cotton is back on the British Rally Championship trail with this weekend’s Voly Grampian Forest Rally.
The reigning John Easson Award winner has admitted to ‘never being completely happy’ with his Subaru Impreza so far this year.
But a last-minute appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed has left him feeling ‘revitalised’ for the challenge ahead.
“Out of the three events we’ve done so far, I have never felt 100 per cent confident of the car,” explained Rob.
“The Jim Clark Rally was tragically curtailed, and the event didn’t go well for us at all, with mistakes, offs and spins, before damaging the car after hitting fence posts.
“I have had to rebuild the engine yet again, the only consolation is that the 11-week break has given me time to work to pay the repair bills.”
However, an invite to Goodwood has handed Rob a big confidence boost ahead of the Grampian.
“It was amazing to be asked to go as it was on my bucket list. We were there for four days and it really helped to have an extended, low pressure test before this weekend,” he said.
“It was a fantastic experience, and for the first time this year everything clicked in the car. By the end, I felt completely revitalised.
“The engine felt good and the handling was exactly as I wanted it.
“My aim for the Grampian is to get the car to the finish in one piece and undamaged. We are not going to overdo it, the times will come if the car is right.”
Rob and co-driver Ethan Kidd are seeded at car 44 for the two-day event, which comprises 56 stage miles with a ceremonial start in Banchory on Friday afternoon.
*JEA runner-up Meghan O’Kane is also in action this weekend, starting at car 34 with Nikki Addison on the maps in her Fiesta R2.
Last year’s JEA winner Johnnie Mackay is at 28 in his Mitsubishi Evo7 with Rachel Matheson, and former JEA winner Mark McCulloch starts at car 8 in his Proton Satria Evo.
Rob Cotton would like to thank
2300 Club John Easson Award
Cotton Competition
North Coat Ltd
Questmead Ltd
Motordrive Seats
PD Extinguishers
Proflex UK
British Rally Championship
Project Podium Rally Foundation
Rally Stages
MRF Motorsport Tyres UK
Service & Sport
Cotton Competition
North Coat Ltd
Questmead Ltd
Motordrive Seats
PD Extinguishers
Proflex UK
British Rally Championship
Project Podium Rally Foundation
Rally Stages
MRF Motorsport Tyres UK
Service & Sport
Final Awards for Printing