Rob Cotton will be keeping his fingers crossed for a trouble-free run on this weekend’s Jim Clark Rally.
After retiring with transmission trouble on the Carlisle Stages, the reigning John Easson Award winner has been busy getting his Subaru back into shape for round three of the Probite British Rally Championship.
“We thought it was just a cracked bellhousing, but once we got the car back to the workshop, we found an extra surprise,” explained Rob.
“The Crown Wheel Pinion had broken into pieces and a shaft in the Limited Slip Differential had snapped, so we ended buying a complete new LSD.
“But the good news is the car was all back together on Sunday, and it’s already been for a run up the road to make sure everything is working as it should.”
With this year’s co-driver Owen Paterson unavailable for the Jim Clark, Rob has enlisted the help of his mapman from last year, Ethan Kidd.
The pair spent Tuesday doing a recce for the two-day event, making their own pacenotes.
“We had six hours checking the roads and making the notes, and I’m really happy about that,” said Rob.
“Making your own notes is so much better than using pre-prepared ones, which we have used before. With our own notes, I know what I want to hear as we drive at competitive speeds, not someone else’s interpretation.”
Although this will be Rob’s debut on the Jim Clark Rally, he competed on the 2024 Jim Clark Reivers Rally, the Sunday clubman event, last year, so is familiar with the type of roads around the Scottish Border town of Duns.
2024 Reivers Rally
He said: “It is familiar territory, and I recognised many of the roads on the recce, from last year, and all the You Tube videos I’ve been watching in preparation.”
“I would be nice to have a rally without too many issues, I have a feeling it could go well. The roads suit me and suit the car.”
*Over 260 competitors are expected to start the Jim Clark and Jim Clark Reivers Rallies this weekend, which boasts over 100 stages miles across Friday night and Saturday. The rally kicks off with a ceremonial start in Duns Square on Friday evening. Leading the field away is Estonian driver and Junior WRC champion Romet Jurgenson in a Fiesta R2. Rob and Ethan are seeded at 26 in their Impreza B13.
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 Results for Printing
