In Matt Beebe's latest exclusive column for Crash.net, the 2007 BRC R2 title winner reflects on last months Jim Clark International Rally - the second round in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship and also the fourth round in the Global Group Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.


My ambitions for the first outing of 2008 in the Jim Clark International Rally had been boosted by the knowledge that my co-driver from last year, Gareth Roberts was taking time out (from his 2008 campaign alongside Elfyn Evans) to sit alongside me in the MG ZR that we successfully won our class in on last years Jim Clark.

It had been transferred back to tarmac specification by m3motorsport since Wales Rally GB last December. Hankook tyres had kindly supplied new slicks for this event, as we were not registered for any championships, AVO suspension had rebuilt all the suspension units for us over the winter and fuel was supplied by Garwood Motorsport Services

We registered on Thursday morning to do the recce on both the Thursday and Friday. Both days went well and we were pleased with the notes we made and unlike last year we managed to get through it without any speeding fines imposed by the rally officials. Other competitors had to pay this year before a start ticket was issued.

There were no problems with the car getting through scrutineering so we were in for 2008 Jim Clark International - car number 42.

The organisers had deemed that it was only the first 30 cars in the International that were required for the ceremonial start in Kelso so we made our way to the shakedown at Macks Mill. Macks Mill was a new venue for this year and it was very representative of the stages on this years rally.

On the first run through the car was pulling well and the Hankook tyres were giving very good grip. However on the second run through gear selections problems suggested that all was not well with the gearbox.

We were recovered back to service at Charterhall and m3motorsport fitted a replacement gearbox - but with ratios for gravel rather than tarmac, top end speed would suffer by 15mph. At least though, we would be there for the first competitive stage on Saturday morning.

Saturday morning started with dry weather unlike the damp conditions of last year so we raced off the line into SS1 - Abbey St Bathans, determined to set minimum times from the outset.