Monday, 11th September 2006

Marcus Dodd's hopes of lifting another MSA National Gravel Rally Championship title are over for another season. The Flitewise.com backed driver was jointly leading the Park Systems Rally until an untimely engine failure left the Hyundai Accent WRC stranded at the side of the road.

"I'm very disappointed to retire this way," he said at the finish. "Unfortunately my regular car was damaged in an accident on the recent Woodpecker Rally, so I was using my father's regular car instead. Sadly, the engine cried enough on the second stage. I'm particularly disappointed as we'd been on a steady pace all the way through the opening stage, and our stage time was very positive. This year has been something of a development year, as we've introduced some major developments to the Hyundai. As with any development project, there will always be teething troubles, but the more we learn the better prepared we are for next year.

"Overall the pace of the car has been fantastic this year, as we have consistently set fastest times on virtually every rally we have contested. As such, I'm confident that whatever we do next year, we can be at the sharp end of the results for certain."

Whilst Marcus was left to rue his misfortune, his father Harry Dodd had an enjoyable day in his loaned Hyundai Accent WRC. With fellow HPM Motorsport driver Peter Egerton away from Scotland, Dodd senior loaned Peter's car for the rally, and quickly got to grips with the new machine. Harry and his stand in co-driver Andy Street avoided the rocks to finish 15th overall. Dorset Police Rally Team crew Shaun Cronin and Mark Williams were also contesting the rally. Driving the HPM Motorsport run Subaru Impreza N8, the pair notched up 19th place overall in their Road Angel and Petards backed car.

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