by Geoff Mayes
Simon Harraway continued to impress as his steep gravel rally learning curve reached new heights over the weekend when he recorded a top ten overall and fourth in Group N on his first ever National A event, the Bulldog Rally.
Harraway, whose Bravo Racing-run Subaru Impreza is backed by the Regency Group, was contesting only his second ever gravel rally.
Shrugging off the pressure the former karting champion, co-driven by Rachel Brockington in the Steve Harkness Tyres-supported car, was constantly fighting for top five times in the Group N class throughout the event, despite dropping time when they caught and had to pass a World Rally Car in stage 2.
Upon reaching service they were amazed to see that they were on the fringes of the top ten.
Harraway then agreed to up the pace slightly, and this new target, along with a wider track tyre saw the pair rapidly overhaul their nearest rival to return home with their first ever gravel top ten finish, as well as the honour of the first Group N Subaru behind a trio of much newer Mitsubishi Evo 9's, piloted by far more experienced drivers.
“This is only my second ever gravel rally and I absolutely loved it! The car was faultless, and I presume the results speak about my driving. To be honest I was really surprised with this result,” he noted.
“We weren't really pushing and even after I upped the ante in the afternoon, I was still driving well within myself preserving the car for Wales Rally GB in November. I do think that there is a lot still to come from both myself and the car.”
The Subaru will now be totally re-prepared ahead of the biggest challenge of the year, Wales Rally GB. This will be Harraway's first time not only doing a recce before hand but also in writing his own pace-notes. What makes this challenge all the more daunting is that Harraway only began competing eighth months ago and that this world famous event will be only his third ever gravel rally.
![Simon Harraway. Bulldog Rally 2007. [Pic credit: RP Rally Photography - www.rp-rallyphotography.com]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/393048.jpg)
