Wales Rally GB: Stephen Petch summary

Petchie pleased with World Rally debut.

Stephen Petch Junior was more than happy with his overall performance on his world rallying debut when he finished last weekends Wales Rally GB a highly creditable 42nd overall aboard his SG Petch Motorsport run Mitsubishi Evo 9.

Stephen, co-driven as ever by Michael Wilkinson, was contesting the event as part of a 2 car team alongside Sun correspondent Rob Gill and despite having previously contested most of these stages during his 2007 Mitsubishi Evo Challenge campaign, where he clinched the Junior title, Stephen was under no illusions as to how tough this event would be.

Indeed, after a promising opening stage, where he was quicker than a number of British Championship regulars, Stephen was then forced into super rally when his steering arm broke in the second stage of the day.

Returning to action on Saturday morning saw Stephen ease back into the action as the atrocious weather was making the conditions extremely tricky. Even so Stephen was consistently inside the top 60 overall, which, when considering that he was running near the back of the field was no mean feat.

By the end of the day the SG Petch Motorsport run car was up to 55th overall and the pair were just aiming for a finish. Despite a spin in Brechfa on Sunday morning the Mitsubishi ran faultlessly and when young Stephen returned to Cardiff for the ceremonial finish he was over the moon with a top 40 result.

I'm so glad to see the finish. This has been an incredibly long and tough rally but both Michael and I have had a great experience. The car ran very well, full credit to the team. I have to say a massive thanks to Rob Gill and Kumho Tyres for helping us compete this weekend.

Stephen will now prepare for the forthcoming Grizedale Stages, where he will run as Zero car, whilst his father Steve will contest their local rally on board a Hyundai Accent World Rally Car.

-credit: sgpmotorsport.co.uk