Preparations have been taking place for the last few weeks and James and his team set off for Ireland on Wednesday morning.  James arrived safely and has already signed on and is surveying the stages.

James will be posting regular updates via Twitter and you can follow James’s progress in several ways:

• Through this web site.
  The Used Garage Equipment Online Rally Team at their engineering base in Hull will be correlating all the information and updating James’s web site accordingly over the course of the rally.
• Through Twitter.
  Receive James’s updates by following James Everard on Twitter.  James is Twitting personally directly from his rally car when time permits.
• Through Facebook.
  James will be updating his Facebook profile personally whilst in Ireland and in addition the Used Garage Equipment Online Rally Team will post further information and photos when they become available.

The latest updates we have received from James are as follows:

1. On route to Stranraer with Sam Collis ready for Ulster Rally recce tomorrow.
2. Now in Ireland heading to Rally HQ with Sam to sign on for recce.

Everard Loses Second Gear But Hangs On To Championship Second Place

After re-seeding the Fiesta for the Severn Valley Rally, Everard and Collis set off as first car for round three of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy on Saturday. The Fiesta was going very well on the first stage until James entered a left+ corner. Carrying too much speed, Everard found a new ditch, which had been freshly dug out to allow for new drainage and didn’t show on the pace notes. A big thank you goes out to a band of spectators who, with tow ropes, manually pulled the Fiesta from its resting place. Everard managed to rejoin the rally but sustained some hefty damage, the front bumper was ripped off and damage to the passenger side panels. One of the tyres was off the rim and the steering was affected by damage to the suspension. The gear box was also damaged getting out of the ditch. Miraculously James only lost about one minute, twenty five seconds before getting back on track and another minute or so on the rest of the field, limping back to the service stop.

There was just time for James to change the tyre before going back out for the second stage. Steering problems due to the damaged suspension continued and damage to the gearbox worsened through the stage, constantly jumping out of second gear but Everard battled through to the next service.

The Used Garage Equipment Online service crew did all they could before Everard went out on the long third stage, including replacing the damaged passenger side front suspension arm, as he was fighting major high speed stability problems due to further suspension damage. By this point in the rally Everard had totally lost the use of second gear and had to complete the final two stages without second gear, which due to his left foot braking style of driving, severely hampered quick deceleration. Whilst pushing as hard as he could, Everard survived a hairy moment on the final stage, managing to scramble back from the edge of a very large fresh air drop.

Finishing the eleventh Fiesta and still managing to put ten points on the leaders’ board, Everard and Collis showed some real grit and determination to get the car to the finish. Just hanging on to overall second position in the Championship, the Used Garage Equipment Online team are now looking forward to the next round of the championship at Swansea Bay.

After the event James said “There was an abundance of spectators who were watching near to where I found a newly cut ditch and they were great and helped me out very quickly. Spectators know how to find hot spots and I was not on my own finding that trouble spot.

“The team put in a great effort to keep me in the rally and I would have to say that I was happy to pick up enough points to stay in contention for the Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy Championship following our set back on stage one.

“We are now half way through the Championship and it’s very close at the top and we are still in second position. With a trouble free round, I expect to be back up with the pace for the next round at Swansea Bay.”

There is a great spectator event this weekend, James Everard and the Used Garage Equipment Online sponsored Fiesta are entered at the 2008 Rally Show Chatsworth taking place at Chatsworth House on the 7th and 8th of June. This event is run with spectators in mind and is guaranteed to be a cracking day out.

FST Championship UK 2008 Table

Ends

For further information contact John Everard (Team Manager)
e. john@jdeng.co.uk
t. 01482 227338

Sponsors:
Used Garage Equipment Online
Fiesta Sporting Trophy

James and Sam have sent the following update directly from their Ford Fiesta ST rally car.

The team have successfully completed the pre-event shake down for the third round of the Fiesta ST Championship this morning.

There were some small changes made to the car’s suspension set up and James Everard, who is entering this event leading the Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy Championship table, was said to be very happy with the changes the service team have made and is looking forward to starting the rally.

The team are now heading to Builth Wells for scrutineering and signing on.

Ends

For further information contact John Everard (Team Manager)
e. john@jdeng.co.uk
t. 01482 227338

Sponsors:
Used Garage Equipment Online
Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK

Everard on his Way to Severn Valley Rally

James and his navigator Sam are looking forward to round three of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy this weekend. For the first time this year, the team are heading to Wales for the Severn Valley Rally, taking in 45 miles of classic Welsh forest rally stages.

The Used Garage Equipment Team have the Fiesta ready to roll and are heading down to David Higgins Rally School course, early on Friday morning, to test and make any final tweaks on the cars set up. Then on to Builth wells for Saturdays Rally were Everard will be looking to add to his Championship points tally with a third consecutive podium finish. Currently leading this years Fiesta Sporting Trophy, James is in a very positive frame of mind and is raring to go at this weekends rally.

For another opportunity for spectators coming up the following weekend, James Everard and the Used Garage Equipment sponsored Fiesta are entered at the 2008 Rally Show Chatsworth taking place at Chatsworth House on the 7th and 8th of June. This event is run with spectators in mind and is guaranteed to be a cracking day out.

Ends

For further information contact John Everard (Team Manager)
e. john@jdeng.co.uk
t. 01482 227338

Sponsors:
Used Garage Equipment Online
Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK

Everard Enjoys First Irish Experience

Everard and Collis flew over to Shannon Airport on Wednesday morning and then drove 80 miles to Killarney. They were looking forward to taking part in the Rally of the Lakes over its famous tight mountain side course arriving a couple of days prior to the event giving them a chance to recce in a hire car.

James and Sam along with the Used Garage Equipment Online Team were spectators on Saturday, as the International Rally got underway. Then on Sunday, the Fiesta Sporting Trophy crews joined the National Rally with an exciting opening stage at Molls Gap. This famous stage starts at the foot of the mountain, climbing up to the top and back down the other side. Everard set a very good time on the first stage and was very pleased with the Fiesta set up and handling around the tight hairpin corners of the first stage.

On the second stage, James closed in on the fellow Irish FST competitor in front of him, taking 30 seconds out of his time. Then pushing hard with just over a mile remaining on the Ballaghbeama stage, James ended up on the wrong side of a fence in a peat bog. The call into a corner was, three right, tightens to one, over bumps. The Fiesta lifted off a bump on the inside of the one right, resulting in a wheel on the edge of the grass, sending the Fiesta through a fence. The Fiesta was sucked into a peat bog, leaving no chance of escape and resulting in a premature ending to the rally for Everard an Collis.

There was an up beat quote from Everard after his Fiesta was retrieved from its soggy resting place:

James commented: “I was very pleased with the pace of the Fiesta on my first visit to Ireland, I would have liked to complete all the stage miles but never the less, thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I may have a word with Ford, I’m not sure if they are aware that when parked in an Irish peat bog the shell is not water tight! On a serious note, the team and I are looking forward to returning to Ireland for the next round of the Irish Championship.”

The Fiesta was found to have only suffered superficial damage after being almost up to the door handles in a peat bog. A front bumper, wing, and head light unit are the only parts needing to be replaced after any of the Irish countryside brought home has been washed away.

The next next round of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK takes place on the May 31st. Everard and Collis will be looking to maintain there position at the top of the leader board with a third consecutive podium finish at the Seven Valley National Rally.

Ends

For further information contact John Everard (Team Manager)
e. john@jdeng.co.uk
t. 01482 227338

Sponsors:
Used Garage Equipment Online
Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK

Everard Takes Second Podium Finish

Everard and Collis achieved their goal of a second consecutive podium finish, at the Pirelli National Rally, leaving them at the top of the standings after two rounds of this years Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK.

The new Pirelli tyre was made available for the first time at the weekend and proved to be a great success. The tyres and the Fiesta were put through there paces at the shakedown on Thursday before the rally. The new tyres needed higher pressures than their predecessors for the rigorous conditions of the Kielder forest but performed exceptionally well.

James Everard and co driver Sam Collis had a race plan to finish on the podium, with a view to consolidate there overall position following a second place finish in the opening event of this years Fiesta Sporting Trophy. On a tough course, apart from getting airborne on a few occasions, they opted to keep tidy, holding good lines in and out of corners and by avoiding punctures keeping consistently good times through all the stages. This approach resulted in a third place in the second round of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy and a very creditable seventh place overall in the Pirelli National Rally. This again highlights the ability and quality of the young drivers and the performance of the Ford Fiesta ST to compete against more powerful 4 wheel drive rally cars.

Everard said: “I am very pleased with the overall performance of the Fiesta and the new Pirelli tyres in the testing conditions of the Kielder forest.

“Sam and I would like to thank the Used Garage Equipment Team for there preparation and support during the rally and give a mention to the sponsors and marshals for a well organised event.”

Everard and Collis can next be seen in the Rally of the Lakes (Killarney) before the third round of the FST UK at the Seven Valley National Rally which takes place on May 31st.

Ends

For further information contact John Everard (Team Manager)
e. john@jdeng.co.uk
t. 01482 227338

Sponsors:
Used Garage Equipment Online
Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK

Everard Looks Forward to Second Round

The second round of the VK Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK series kicks off at the border town of Carlisle this Saturday. The Kielder forest offers up some challenging terrain which sees the crews competing over more than fifty miles of classic forest tracks.

Everard and Collis will be heading up north for the shake down stage on Thursday in preparation for the main event, the Pirelli National Rally. Saturday morning will see the 16 registered FST crews start the notoriously fast and dangerous stages through the Kielder man made forest complex.

After the first round James and Sam are in 2nd place on 25 points and the Used Garage Equipment Online team are looking for another good run in round two of the FST in the Kielder forest. Aiming to consolidate his position in the overall standings, Everard will be looking to put last years experience of this testing event to his advantage.

The top crews in this years Fiesta Sporting Trophy are very closely matched, so it will require a fast clean run to achieve a podium finish in this exciting event. The Used Garage Equipment Online team are ready to rock, with Everard and Collis at the helm this weekend.

Looking forward, James and Sam will be taking the Fiesta to Ireland, to take part in the Rally of the Lakes, Killarney, one of the Irish FST rounds taking place on the May 4th.

Ends

For further information contact John Everard (Team Manager)
e. john@jdeng.co.uk
t. 01482 227338

Sponsors:
Used Garage Equipment Online
Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK

Everard Set to Shine on Season Opener

Hull hotshot James Everard will open his assault on the 2008 Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK championship at the Malcolm Wilson Rally – with a new co-driver on board.

The Used Garage Equipment Online team driver’s long-term navigator David Jobling retired at the end of last season, and James tested a number of different partnerships to try and recreate their success. However, James (21) believes he has found the ideal replacement in Chesterfield’s Sam Collis (21) – who turned down a full BRC campaign to sit alongside him. The pair struck up a good understanding after Collis stood in as a last-minute replacement for Jobling at the Severn Valley rally last year, and the pair hope to develop into a successful team in 2008.

Prior to the duo’s Malcolm Wilson Rally outing on March 1, James will undertake a test at Greystoke forest. It will be his first chance to assess the effects of the new rule changes for the 2008 championship – which include the switch to E85 bio-fuel and Pirelli control tyres. It will also be the ideal preparation for the 45 stage miles of the Malcolm Wilson Rally in the classic forests of Hobcarton, Comb, Wythop, Greystoke and Grizedale.

James has been working hard over the closed season with tuition from top rally drivers, hoping this will give him the speed he needs to take his first overall win in the series and improve on his sixth place in 2007. On top of his Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK challenge, James will also be driving for the Used Garage Equipment Online team in Fiesta Sporting Trophy Ireland and BTRDA championships.

Ends

For further information contact John Everard (Team Manager)
e. john@jdeng.co.uk
t. 01482 227338

Sponsors:
Used Garage Equipment Online
Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK