PCWRC: Q&A: Ross Butler.

Ross Butler kicked off his third full season of rallying by co-driving for former British and American Rally champion, David Higgins at the weekend on the Rallye Monte Carlo. Here he explains what it was like - and talks about his experiences on the way to finishing second in the opening round of the 2006 Producion Car WRC...

Q:
Ross. Overall, how was your first Rallye Monte Carlo?

Ross Butler:
It was the most intense and difficult thing I've ever done. I was definitely in at the deep end on this one but I feel that I got through it without swallowing too much water!

I tend to measure success against how I feel I performed, rather than the outright result. I feel that I did the best job I could on this event and I think that to finish second in PCWRC suggests that I did a reasonable job.

Q:
Just how different was this event to what you've done before?

RB:
Completely different. Firstly, there was the language. English tends to be the prevalent language in rallying but you still come across enthusiastic locals, who are all essential to the smooth running of the event, but who don't speak much English. But they usually had more English than I had French!

The nature of this event is also very different; Toni Gardemeister was staying in our hotel and I was chatting with his co-driver, Jakke Honkanen one evening. He was telling me that it's the most technical event in the championship but I didn't appreciate just how much so until the rally began.

I did the recce in 2005 and I think that definitely gave me a head start. If I hadn't been here before, then I would have been in real trouble. I also did some training with David Senior before I left for Monte and I think that helped enormously.

Q:
How much of a shock was Monte Carlo after doing so well in Rally GB last year?

RB:
Matt [Beebe] and I had a fair amount of knowledge and experience of the stages and conditions on GB, so we were able to use that to our advantage. However, the Monte stages are so technical and the conditions so varied that the experience I gained on GB wasn't directly beneficial here.

Q:
How did you adapt to the difference in speed between this car and what you've been used to?

RB:
As a co-driver, you develop a feel for the pace of the notes and in David's EvoVII, I had to call the notes much earlier. And because some of the stages were so busy, in places, I was calling the corners as fast as I could speak.

You end up having to learn where you are in the notes by feel, as you don't have time to look up and check your position. That can be really tricky, especially on a stage that has nothing but hairpins for several kilometres.

Q:
How did you work with David [Higgins]?

RB:
It took a while to get used to working with him; a new driver, new team and a new car, it was all a bit full-on, especially having driven down to Monte Carlo from the Midlands in the recce car the day before it started. But I feel that I did the best job I could and I hope I'll do some more events with David.

Q:
So was it a flawless performance?

RB:
Of course not, it was never going to be. I don't think anyone ever has a flawless Monte Carlo rally. We had a few car issues, a few technical problems and I lost my place in the notes occasionally. Ordinarily it wouldn't have been a problem to pick them up again but as I said, where a section of a stage consisted of nothing but hairpins, it was a bit tricky.

I knew it wasn't going to be an easy ride, but it was an opportunity that, as a co-driver, I simply could not have ignored. The investment on my part has, I feel, reaped enormous rewards. I have learned more on this event than perhaps the whole of the last season and it's experience that can only make me a better co-driver.

Q:
You must be pleased with the result?

RB:
Of course I am. To have co-driven for a driver of David's experience and standing, on the most demanding event for a co-driver and finished, not only on the podium in PCWRC but second, is an amazing achievement. In fact, it all seems a bit surreal. But I just need to glace at the trophy in the back of the recce car to remind myself it's very real.

I also think that two British co-drivers on the top steps of the podium [Daniel Barritt won the production category with Fumio Nutahara] is the best commendation you could have for British co-driving.

Q:
Finally, what was the hairiest moment?

RB:
Undoubtedly going over the Col de Torini on Saturday night, in the dark, on slicks, with no studs, on sheet ice and show. If you'd asked me whether I'd have done that three years ago, I'd have told you you were mad. Now it's invaluable experience.