Revolution Wheels Rally Team leader Rob Swann endured a disastrous outing on the Pirelli International Rally last weekend, the opening round in the 2008 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.
Swann, who was using a Subaru Impreza N12 - until his new N14 is complete, enjoyed a perfect run on the pre-event shakedown, but as soon as he and co-driver Darren Garrod departed from the ceremonial start his car began misfiring.
A relatively decent time through the opening stage was of little consolation to the Bishop Stortford based driver, who had been fighting for podium positions in 2007 and subsequently he ended day one languishing in twelfth position and team principal Geoff Jones was still unable to trace the misfire.
Swann however, gritted his teeth and adjusted his driving style for Saturday's loop of stages and despite the electrical maladies, he put in a string of consistent times and returned to the morning service fighting for position with old rival Wyn Humphries.
Swann was unfortunate to damage a shock absorber after hitting a hole in one stage, and then dented his confidence after encountering the same obstacle as his team-mate James Wozencroft in SS11. He also suffered from punctures but once again he was confident enough to continue to the end of the stage.
A final result of eleventh overall was poor reward for a spirited and determined drive but with his new Subaru Impreza N14 due for delivery in the next fortnight Swann has something to look forward to.
"What a nightmare! We had such a good shakedown and the car felt great. But then as we left the start ramp it really felt like we were running out of fuel," he noted.
"Geoff Jones has tried his very best to sort out the misfire but it won't go away. I don't think the car particularly likes Kielder! Still, we have points on the board, and I always enjoy the
Jim Clark Rally, which is next for us - and we'll be out in the N14, which promises to be a good car."
