Months of development and testing finally paid dividends for Andy Gwynne and Holly Robinson on the Cheltenham-based 'Get it Sideways' rally last weekend when they came away with their first overall win.
The weeks running up to the rally, which took place at their rally school venue, Down Ampney airfield, were somewhat fraught as their Citroen Saxo S1600 kit car had to be repaired followed a crash on the Tour of Epynt, the opening round of the 2008 Richard Egger Insurance MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship.
Gwynne and Robinson started the rally well though and they took the overall lead from the off, before then winning all of the following tests up to stage nine of ten.
The final test nearly brought disaster as one of the competition engine mountings broke and forced them to drive very slowly through the stage. However by now, despite one minor incident with a pothole in stage 5, the team had had a faultless run and had built up enough of a lead overall that meant that they could afford to lose 30 seconds.
Speaking at the finish, Gwynne was delighted with the result, especially as he has contested the event several times over the last few years, but has never won due to mechanical problems.
"Firstly, I would like to thank Cheltenham Motor Club and all of the marshals for organising the rally which ran very well with no delays and provided really fun stages," he reflected. "Thanks to the service crew too, who kept us going through some minor bottom arm problems and thanks to Holly for keeping me on the straight and narrow.
"I am delighted that the car has started to work properly and this result has really boosted my confidence for our next rally, the Isle of Man in a few weeks."
Gwynne and Robinson now plan to make some further adjustments to their car prior to the Manx Rally next month, round two of the 2008 Richard Egger Insurance MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship. They are currently seeking sponsors for that event.
![Andy Gwynne and Holly Robinson [Pic credit: EDP Photo News / www.edpphoto.com]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/429650.jpg)
