Tough weekend for Ford Rally Team

The Pirtek Rally Team has experienced a challenging weekend at the third round of the NEC Australian Rally Championship, the Rally of Canberra.

The highlight of the weekend was seventh in heat #1 for Michael Guest / David Green; this was despite a rollover on the opening stage on the Friday evening which dropped them down to 23^rd overall.

The Rally of Canberra was won by Simon and Sue Evans.

Guest was set to attack during Sunday's second leg, but was hampered with power steering problems that forced him to retire midway through the day.

"You have weekend's like this from time to time," said Guest.

"We came into the event very well prepared, but this rally is one of the toughest and it certainly showed its teeth this weekend.

"The rollover on Friday night came after a very long straight. We misjudged a crest and got to the next turn too quickly. Despite the incident the car showed just how tough it is and the boys did a great job getting it right for Saturday.

"Today we started to experience power steering problems from the end of the opening stage. The crew worked to rectify it, but it came back and with it just about to seize we decided to retire from the leg.

"We now have a good nine week break to the next event in South Australia. We can work on the issues from this weekend and continue to improve the package.

"It's always disappointing to end a weekend like this, but it's just our third event and developing the car remains the priority."

Teammates Darren Windus and Jon Mortimer endured a tougher weekend with a lower control arm breaking on the first stage on Saturday, and then engine issues sidelined the pair midway through Sunday.

"Frustrating, but rallying can be like that sometimes," said Windus.

"I only had a couple of chances to have a real go and the car certainly felt good. It would have been nice to complete the event as I'm sure we could have been in the mix.

"When you are developing a car in competition you are going to experience plenty of challenges and this weekend was a case in point.

"The next event in South Australia will be a different event to Canberra and I'm sure we can challenge for a strong result."

The Rally South Australia will be run from August 10 -12.

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