by Geoff MayesIeuan Rowlands impressed on last weekends Cambrian Rally when he recovered from a time consuming spin to take a well deserved podium aboard his Geoff Jones Motorsport run Subaru Impreza.
After a strong showing on the recent Bulldog Rally, Rowlands and co-driver Emyr Hall returned to contest their second rally in a fortnight. However a change of stead was necessary as, after his impressive run recently, the N12 had been sold. So for his home event Rowlands had arranged to use a slightly older Subaru Impreza N11, once again courtesy of the top welsh rally preparation company, Geoff Jones Motorsport.
Despite no testing the former Peugeot Supercup front-runner was immediately on the pace. Second fastest through the opening stage, Penmachno South, a mere one second down on the flying Scotsman David Bogie and a second faster than Andrew Burtons rapid Peugeot Cosworth. With power being the order of the day through the second stage Rowlands did well to only drop seven seconds to the more powerful cars around him and headed to first service fairly happy.
A change in set up transformed the Kumho shod Subaru and Rowlands set the fastest time through Alwen to move into second overall. However a time consuming spin on stage five cost him a lot of time as he completed the stage 24 seconds off the pace.
With only one more stage to go Rowlands was 17 seconds down on the production lead and decided to push hard. Despite the road conditions worsening, only one headlight working and fog moving in, the Subaru stormed through the stage to go an incredible seven seconds faster than anyone else and clinch the final podium position!
“Considering this is only my second event in a four-wheel drive and before the Bulldog Rally I had not competed for nearly 18 months I am very happy with third overall,” Rowlands reflected. “It is the first time I've ever beaten Andrew Burton so to do it three times in one rally is great! A big thanks to Geoff Jones for helping me perfect the set-up on the car.
“I've missed the sport a lot and now I really want to put together a programme for 2008… but it all depends on budget and sponsorship.”
