by Geoff Mayes
Andrew Hockridge had a successful debut in his new Gino's Pizza Cheese backed Citroen C2-R2 last weekend when he used the Border Counties Rally as a test session and finished second in class.
The North Wales resident had only done a limited amount of testing on board the new Geoff Jones Motorsport prepared car prior to the event and with this mind he was keen to gain more experience of both the car and the terrain.
As such he had no aims apart from to complete the Jedburgh based round, ahead of an assault on the 2008 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.
With new co-driver Tony Derrick calling the notes the pair kept their noses out of trouble and with every stage mile that passed their confidence grew.
Indeed by the end of the seven-stage rally - despite varied weather conditions, which ranged from bright sunshine to snow, the Citroen duo was trading times with the much more sophisticated Super 1600's that were competing in the same class.
"Today went really, really well," Hockridge reflected. "Considering the limited mileage I had done before the rally we are more than happy with our pace.
"I learnt a lot about the car and we adjusted a few things in service that helped build my confidence. The Citroen was faultless and I got on well with Tony. Now I can't wait for the Pirelli."
![Andrew Hockridge / Tony Derrick. Citroen C2-R2. Border Counties Rally. [Pic credit: Geoff Mayes Media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/426344.jpg)
