Maiden win on home Event for Paul Evans

Wednesday 10th September 2014 - After damaging the car quite badly on The Rally of the Midlands, Paul was back out on the 5th and 6th of September at New Brighton on the Wirral.

The Promenade Stages rally was the event, and is Paul's home event, and also sponsored by Accident Advice Solicitors, one of Paul's own Sponsors so the pressure was well and truly on!

A lot of preparation had been done in the month before the rally, once the car had arrived back from repair, Paintworx having done a cracking job on the car.

The team tested the cars performance and set up at 3 Sisters Race Circuit the day before the rally. Luckily for Paul, upon arrival, Gordon from Proflex Suspension was there with another car, and went to work on the Escorts suspension once he had seen it do a few laps!

The next time Paul jumped in for another run, the difference in the car was unbelievable! From getting lots of body roll and under steer, to being able to point the car where he wanted it to go, and get on the power before hitting the apex of the corners was brilliant.

A few more tweaks and a run in of some new tyres, and the car was washed and loaded up ready for the rally.

Two of the stages ran in reverse seeding order on Friday night, and with Paul seeded at car 5 this meant the stages would be dark.

Paul's first run saw him 2nd overall 3 seconds behind Simon Bowen's Subaru WRC, one of the pre event favourites. The Subaru failed to show for the 2nd stage due to an engine fault meaning a lead for the team after stage 1.

Stage 2 was really dark after some delays and the lights were fitted and lit up on the start line. Paul set the fastest stage time putting in a nice clean run with no mistakes.

Over night the event was reseeded which meant Paul was going to lead the field away in the morning.

The first stage in the morning (stage 3) saw the car wheel spinning a bit too much which resulted in Mark Holmes in the Metro 6r4 leading by 4 seconds.

The next few stages were very much cat and mouse, with the top 5 drivers all swopping times. Unfortunately Paul had a stall at a hairpin but remained in the top 3.

The retirement of Damian Cole due to a broken prop shaft was a shame, as Paul was looking forward to trading stage times with his Accident Advice Solicitors team mate.

Paul continued to put in some strong stage times and managed to eke out a slim 4 second lead. Next were the 2 longest stages of the rally and the sun was shining so a risk was taken and medium compound tyres were chosen. Paul then took 5 and 6 seconds out of 2nd place runner Wes Simpson which have Paul a 15 second lead with 2 stages to go.

During routine checks the service crew spotted a puncture on one of the new tyres and a soft tyre got refitted in a bit of a scramble but just in time.

A steady drive with no use of the handbrake around the tight hairpins and chicanes was the way forward to hopefully avoid any stalls or problems, and only lost Paul 3 seconds!!

With a 12 second lead to start the final stage Paul's service crew found another problem. A pipe from the rear shock absorber had hit the chassis and bent.

The issue was that the shock absorber was now badly leaking, no replacement was available and there was no time to replace it anyway, so the decision was made to turn it around. This meant it was very close to the brake disc which was not ideal but would save it from breaking completely.

On the start line of the last stage, Paul knew all he had to do was get round without a mistake, and that if he did he would win his first event out right!

There was calm in the car and not a word was spoken between Paul and his co driver Lol Powell.

Paul's family and friends were all lined up on the start watching nervously, 5,4,3,2,1,Go!!!

Again the plan was no handbrake to avoid mistakes and a steady drive commenced.

The car behind had made some time up so Paul decided he was going too slow and pushed on, keeping the car flowing, smooth and quick!

On crossing the finish line the Chairman of Wallasey Motor Club and friend of Paul's run over opened the door and hugged both Paul and Lol saying "fantastic you have won!"

A group photo of the top 3 cars and crews were taken, Paul and Lol popped the Champagne and sprayed everyone in sight! Then the drive into the service area where Paul was interviewed for television and lots of family and friends greeted Paul all really excited with the win.

Paul received presentation of the Best Wallasey Crew for the 4th year running, Best 2 Wheel Drive Crew and the 1st overall trophy, the last time a Mk2 Escort won the event was in 1985.

Paul thanked all of his sponsors, the organising committee and the marshals and mentioned remembering to come and watch the promenade stages at 16 years of age wanting to enter but never thinking one day he would be the winner. Officially over the moon!!!

Paul's plan is to run on selected rounds of the REIS National Asphalt Championship to gain experience of the championship rounds and also to enter selected local rallies.

Paul secured a sponsorship deal with Accident Advice Solicitors last year who also currently sponsor MSA Asphalt Champion Damian Cole. Accident Advice solicitors have recognised Paul’s talent. Sue Wright from Accident Advice Solicitors based in Northwich Cheshire quotes: -

"Paul is an up and coming rally driver and an ex professional rally instructor, and he is now using his ability to achieve some excellent results. We are pleased to be associated with him”.

Paul’s current sponsors Driveme, Accident Advice Solicitors, Jones Motor Company, Strata Vehicle Solutions, Paintworx, Lucas Oils, Gem Driver Training, Red 5 Motorsport, APM Customs and Millington Engines are committed to supporting Paul this year on another very busy year of Rallying

Credits for photographs for the event were taken by- Mark Sims RallyingOnline Ltd

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