Non-Stop Rallying For Seb
01/10/2007
Following a brief summer break, co-driver Seb Marshall was back in action during August and September, contesting five events in just five weeks!
Starting with the Mewla National Rally over the Epynt Military ranges, the second tarmac event of the Fiesta SportingTrophy, Seb was once again calling the notes for Bobby Mitchell. After a steady start, the duo gained in confidence and a late charge saw them record their best finish of the year in 5th place, just 2 seconds ahead of James Everard.
The following week Seb crossed the Irish sea to compete in Northern Ireland for the first time, on the Ulster National Rally. Teaming up with Roger Priestnall in his ex-works Proton Satria S1600, the crew faced treacherous conditions on the tricky lanes, successfully completing the night stages in 25th place of the 64 cars remaining. The second stage of the following morning was to see their retirement however, as a tightening bend caught them out, crashing the car heavily into a ditch. Both walked away from the car, but it left several aches and pains.
Just a week later, Seb was back in the hot seat again, competing on the Lindisfarne Rally over the Otterburn Military Ranges with fellow MSA British Rally Academy member Tom Walster in a 1400cc Peugeot 205. Disaster was to strike just 3 miles into the event though as a deceptive jump caused the car to land heavily, snapping sideways into a concrete pillar and rolling over a ditch. The pair were very shaken but otherwise ok, more than could be said for the car!
A planned weekend off changed at the last minute as Seb was invited to the Lake District to take part in a skills weekend for the British Rally Elite scheme. The opportunity to work with the experienced professionals, improving performance and preparation on events was not to be missed and a thoroughly enjoyable but tiring schedule ensued.
A welcome return to Gravel, co-driving for the first time with James Everard in a Fiesta ST on the Plains Rally was Seb's 5th weekend of rallying on the trot! The event was being used as a shakedown for the following weekends rally, and all went well, recording an impressive 34th overall and 1st in class.
Finally, back with Bobby Mitchell for the penultimate round of the Fiesta SportingTrophy, the Colin McRae Forest Stages. An emotional weekend for all, in light of the recent tragic events, the young pairing recorded 6th placed Fiesta on Bobby's 'home' event.
Looking back over the past month Seb said: "Wow! It's been a roller coaster few weeks, with some great results and two nasty accidents. I'm relieved to have got away lightly from both crashes, testament to the good preparation of the cars."
"It's been great to be out rallying each weekend, and the training weekend in the Lakes was fantastic, having taken a lot away from it. I could get used to it that's for sure!"
Next event for Seb is to be confirmed, a welcome break in the mean time!
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