TQ.com's David Higgins took a podium finish on the Pirelli International Rally last weekend, his first competitive outing with his new Subaru Impreza N14.
Higgins, who was part of a three-car entry by FX Motor Sports - his own team, ran strongly from the off of the event, the opening round in the 2008 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, and he was third quickest on the opening stage on Friday night.
Although he dropped back to fourth overall in SS3, he continued to set some very good times and in the end posted top six results in every single stage, regaining an overall podium place in SS10, a position he held right to the finish in Carlisle on Saturday.
"It's a great start to the year for the team," said David, who has an exclusive column on
Crash.net. "Everyone worked really well together and we've picked up good points in both the drivers and teams championships.
"Guy [Wilks] leads the championship with Juho [Hanninen] second in front of us, but Juho only plans to compete on Wales Rally GB now so he won't have many more points scoring opportunities."
Hugh Evans meanwhile was 18th at the finish after an off in the sister TQ.com-backed Impreza, while Nick Rowland, who is competing in the inaugural Suzuki Swift Sport Cup, was second in his class, despite having had to re-start under the SupeRally after problems in the night stages.
"Nick's taken great points too," added David, putting on his FX sporting director's hat.
"It's just a shame Hugh had an off or he would have had a stronger result. He had a great rally otherwise."
Higgins, and the FX team, now turns its attentions to the next round in the BRC and switching its three-cars to asphalt spec ahead of a pre-rally test.
Prior to that though David will also travel to the RBS International Manx Rally where he will run a Ford Escort Mk2 on the event for his father Tony and mother Christina.
