Retailer
Another 1st in Class Award for Paul Evans
Paul Evans claimed 7th overall, 1st in Class and Best Rear Wheel Drive Crew on the 2nd round of the National Asphalt Championship on the Isle of Man.
Seeded very low Paul started the Friday night stages in Port Erin. The spectator stage was held in the town and on the sea front so fans could get close to the action.
Despite having a slight misfire on the 2 runs due to the flat shift settings being too sensitive for the gear changes, Paul really enjoyed the stage and set a really good time.
Then on to the longest stage of the rally, St Marks stage totally 14 miles covering some of the most iconic roads on the Isle of Man. Unfortunately a BMW stopped the stage after a very serious accident, luckily the crew were fine but it took over 1 hour to clear the stage and remove the car.
This meant Paul had to do the stage in the dark, Paul had hoped he would complete the stage in the day light as did the front runners. Some drivers had not fitted their spot lights but Paul´s service crew had fitted them ready. Due to the delays, the organisers decided to start cars on 30 second intervals rather than the 1 minute intervals. This wasn't ideal for Paul as he caught and overtook 3 cars on the stage. Paul commented at the end of the stage that "we dropped about 1 minute with not driving in the daylight and catching cars, I am happy with the set up of the car and it is riding the bumpy roads lovely. I will even stiffen it up more at service!"
25 minutes in service followed and Paul asked for slick tyres all round and the suspension to be stiffened a couple of clicks. As we were sat on the start line of stage 4 Marine Drive the worse thing that could have happened, happened, the heavens opened and it threw down. Paul tried to push but he couldn't get any grip and suffered from lots of under steer but got to the end of the stage and had to pass 2 slower cars.
Stage 4 nearly ended the rally for Paul, after completing a 3 right onto a narrow stretch of road the car suddenly stepped out and zig zagged out of control. Paul ended up putting the right hand side of the car onto the grass verge, which luckily kept him straight and recovered. This shook Paul up and on the next loop over the same stretch of road Paul took his time but near the end of the stage the car suddenly stepped out again but this time Paul was bouncing off the banks either side of the road, which somehow only damaged the rear fibreglass bumper. Paul said "I do not know what happened and how I managed to save the car, I thought we were going to roll over!".
Stage 5 was cancelled due to another car having an accident and blocking the stage, so back to the Service Park for the last service where the car was checked over and the spot lights removed ready for morning. Paul and the team got to bed about 2.30am then had to be back ready to start at 9am.
The weather looked better Saturday morning but it wasn't going to last, 3 more stages in the morning covered by fog in the mountains and the heavy rain that came. Still catching cars up on the stage Paul was making time up. Paul started the morning 7th in class around 2 minutes behind someone who had had a clear run on the Friday evening.
Paul tackled the Parvil stage where he had the 2 moments the night before and the stages were as wet too. Paul had spoken to people who told him that the roads were famous for being like sheets of ice in the wet. On driving the stage Paul saw cars badly damaged on the side of the road some had even rolled. Paul caught a car up and decided not to push or try to over take, the car in front kept Paul slow and all 4 wheels on the tarmac!
The last 3 stages remained and the pace in the car had really picked up and the adjustments being made to the suspension were paying off and the mileage in the seat was a real benefit.
Once through the final stage it was back to service and over the finish ramp, when asked what it was like Paul replied "it was a bit different to the Promenade Stages"
Paul had no idea where he was in the standings and after some timing queries, where Paul had been given 26 minutes for the last stage instead of 12 minutes, saw Paul climb to 7th overall and ,1st in class.
At the awards presentation Paul unexpectedly received a trophy for the Best Rear Wheel Drive Crew! Paul said that "the event was the hardest event he has ever done with the seeding and catching slower cars up. The result has really made it worthwhile and so unexpected!"
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.