Photography by JCCB Rally Photography
Rob Cotton scored his first ever top ten finish with a brilliant performance on the Rali Ceredigion.
In an event described beforehand as ‘the most challenging of my career so far’ he also won the BRC National class, despite intense pressure from his rival Chris Richmond-Hall.
“I’m absolutely made up with the result,” said the reigning John Easson Award winner.
“We knew from the outset that Chris would be going all-out for the win as he was on home territory. It was a real-see-saw battle that saw the lead change many times over the three days.
“By the finish, just six seconds separated us after 115 stages miles, and getting seventh overall felt amazing.”
But the promising young Garstang driver was made to work for his superb result.
On Saturday’s second test, the 21-mile Y Diafol stage, the temperature warning light suddenly appeared on the dashboard of Rob’s Subaru Impreza.
He said: “We’d just been over a severe bump and at first I thought the radiator had broken, the engine and gearbox were obviously very hot.
“Then the power steering stopped, just as we were coming into the infamous ‘Devils Staircase’ section, an endless series of uphill switchback hairpins – it’s like Lythe Fell on steroids!
“It was physically excruciating just trying to get the car to the end, whilst trying to stay focused and concentrate on listening to the notes.
“We dropped four seconds on the first run through and then 17 seconds on the second, but I was pleased we were able to minimise the issues, it could have been much worse.”
Rival Richmond-Hall suffered his own problems shortly after when the engine on his Toyota Starlet suffered a misfire.
So it was all to play for on the final four stages of the rally on Sunday morning, as Rob explained:
“There was one last roll of the dice. We decided to run on wets when almost all of the top 15, including Chris, opted for slicks.
“It was bone dry on the first stage, and we dropped 1.9 seconds, but as we lined up for the next one, the heavens opened. We were 23 seconds faster and even though Chris took time out of us on the last two stages, the six second margin was enough.”
Rob also paid tribute to his stand-in co-driver Richard Crozier.
“He did really well, on an event like that one you need the best navigator you can, and that was Richard,” he added.
The battle for the title BRC National crown goes down to the wire with the final round, the Cambrian Rally, on October 25.
*Congratulations also to JEA runner-up Meghan O’Kane, who claimed third in the BRC Junior class in her Fiesta R2.
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
2300 Club have opened the entries for the 2025 John Easson Award on the 1st of September and will Close October the 31st.
Junior drivers and co-drivers get your entries in!
It could be you promoting the JEA next season.
Junior drivers and co-drivers get your entries in!
It could be you promoting the JEA next season.
