Ross Whittock, from Radstock, along with regular driver, Jamie Anderson, expertly drove their CA1 Sport Ford Fiesta R5 on the fourth round of this year’s British Rally Championship, based in Ypres, Belgium.
Being the first time either of them competed in this legendry event, they fought from the outset and kept clear of trouble, but mixed it with the best in Europe, finishing an impressive fifteenth overall and fourth in the British Championship. WRC star, Kevin Abbring and local co-driver, Pieter Tsjoen, were the overall victors in their Peugeot 208 T16.
The classic Ypres Rally marked the crucial halfway point in Britain’s premier rallying series. The opening three events were played out on gravel and the Belgian event provided the first sealed-surface taster of the season with the Tarmac specialists expected to come to the fore.
Twenty demanding stages held in both daylight and darkness were centre stage as the historic venue played host to a festival-like atmosphere as the BRC show came to the Belgian city, with thousands of rally fans descending to take in the top-drawer action. To succeed in Flanders, bravery is key, if you get off the paved road you head for an early bath, possibly in one of the many ditches that line the route.
Both Ross and Jamie have now moved up to seventh in the championship, still with their joker to play which gives added points. All to play for.
Action follows in two weeks back in Mid-Wales with the Nicky Grist Stages, using one day in the forests and one day back on the tar over the treacherous army ranges around Brecon.