And while the team is satisfied with the results, the crew of Adrian Coppin and Tim Batten still feel frustrated.
“I am sure I can drive faster but at the moment the little Fiesta just isn’t up to the task,” driver Adrian Coppin said. “I am driving as hard as I can but we just don’t have the legs with our little Fiesta, which is flat out at 145km/h and just not fast enough in the extremely competitive 2WD class.”
The team has tried everything to find some more speed but the Fiesta refuses to go any faster.
“Adrian and I are both feeling frustrated at the moment,” co-driver Tim Batten said. “Adrian is driving really well and learning all the time and I am sure he can go faster, but the Fiesta refuses to give us any extra speed, despite everything we have tried.”
Batten, who is a highly experienced rally engineer, having worked for Mitsubishi Ralliart, said “Prior to Scouts Rally SA we tried unsuccessfully to remap the ECU, even with the help of a successful tuning house in the UK. At this stage it is not worth trying anything else” he added.
With the Fiesta now for sale, the team’s participation in the ARC is in doubt for the remainder of this year.
“The Team Principal, John Mills, has decided to sell the car in preparation for the arrival of the new car for next year, so I don’t have a car to continue,” Coppin said.
The team is searching for a competitive 2WD car to lease for the remainder of the season or building something for the next two events is another option under consideration.
“It really would be disappointing to have to withdraw from the ARC this year, considering our place in the various series, but if that is what happens I will refocus on developing our new vehicle in preparation for next year,” Coppin said.
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