RC:
It has been a long time – 1998 was the last year I did it. The event has changed quite a lot over that time. As world championship rallying his evolved it has obviously become shorter and more compact, but it’s still a very tough rally.
Q:
What were the conditions like in general?
RC:
Really difficult. The surface varied from having quite good grip – albeit wet – to really muddy, slippery conditions. There was very little warning of the change in grip levels. You always had to be on your guard or else you could be off the road so easily, as we saw on the last day when there were cars off everywhere.
Q:
Looking back over your season as a whole, how happy are you with how things have gone?
RC:
I’m pleased. At the start of the year I hoped we could be competitive with the likes of Mark Higgins and Gwyndaf Evans, and I think we’ve proved we can be. Like I said we won half the events and unfortunately had two non-finishes. If it hadn’t been for that we could maybe have fought Mark all the way for the championship. I’ve learned a lot and I realise I’m now capable of winning the British championship, so hopefully next year I will get the chance and we will try to go one better.
Q:
Any particular highlights?
RC:
Winning the Pirelli International at the beginning of the year against seven former British champions was fantastic for me. It was a great achievement and gave me a lot of confidence. Winning my home rally – the Trackrod in Yorkshire – was a real highlight too, and a good battle with Mark Higgins. The year has been really good for us.
Q:
And in 2007, like you said, come back and go one better?
RC:
Hopefully. I haven’t got anything sorted for next year yet, but I very much want to come back. I’ve learned a lot this year and have proved a lot to myself. Now I want to win the championship.
