Despite a heroic drive, Kick Energy rally driver Steve Perez just missed out on the podium for the third time in as many years when he had to settle for fourth place on this weekend's SOL Rally Barbados.
Driving the Ford Focus WRC, the Chesterfield driver along with Welshman Howard Davies on the maps, got off to a steady start by posting ninth fastest time on the opening Canefield North stage but by SS5, the pair had climbed to fifth overall on the opening morning.
A gallant charge up the leaderboard saw them climb as high as third during the afternoon but at the overnight halt, the pair held fourth place amidst a titanic tussle with friend and rival Paul Bird.
Sunday saw Perez attack but despite a string of fast times on the final loop of stages, he couldn't improve and as a result, he had to settle for his third, fourth placing on the event.
"I have to say I'm disappointed, especially having to concede a podium to Birdy, seeing as though I've helped him no end over here," said Perez.
"It all started when he tried to wipe me out on the recce, crashing into the back of me and re-injuring my neck, and then I had to bale him out as he'd not brought enough tyres with him so he ended up using some of mine. But seriously, I'm happy enough with the result, we'll just have to come back next year and by-pass the podium, I'm going all out to win here!"
The rally was won by Ulsterman Kris Meeke ahead of Paul Bird with local driver Gary Gregg in third.
