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Stephen Petch Junior and co-driver Michael Wilkinson head to Wales this weekend hoping to put the mixed start to their season behind them as they tackle the Severn Valley Rally in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
The SGP Motorsport team are tackling both the Tesco 99 Octane British Rally Championship and the ANCRO Gravel Rally Championship in 2006 and have enjoyed mixed fortunes thus far. Whilst the 2006 specification Group N Mitsubishi has certainly had the pace required to keep it at the front of the field, bad luck have seen the pair struggle slightly.
The last round of the ANCRO series was the RBS International Manx Rally on the tight and twist lanes of the Isle of Man. Despite virtually no testing in the brand new car, Stephen was immediately on the pace and set some blindingly quick times. However Stephen was ultimately sidelined by fuel injector problems.
A week later the pair tackled the opening round of the 2006 British Rally Championship, the Pirelli Rally, based in Carlisle. Once more young Stephen was immediately on the pace, setting times quicker than previous British Rally Champions, but a wild moment saw the car slide off the road backwards at high speed, damaging the rear end and denting Stephens confidence slightly. Despite continuing in the rally the car struggled with clutch and intercooler problems and Stephen dropped down the leader board., before repairs could be actioned. Once his steed had been fettled Petch Junior was immediately back on the pace and a string of top 10 times hinted at his potential.
Talking of potential, if 2005 is anything to go by, Stephen is well worth watching on the Severn Valley Rally. Formally known as the Mutiny Rally, this event is based in mid Wales and uses some of the same route as the world famous Wales Rally GB. Stephen finished 18th overall here last year, and his times were quick enough to see him seeded at car 11 and 2nd in the production car category for the forthcoming rally.