A European tour showcasing the R2 has proven the car to be immensely popular, and it is looking to be the most hotly contested single make championship in Europe and the UK. The R2 and ST will be in the same championship, the Fiesta Sport Trophy, and with some of the highest calibre drivers involved it is looking to be one of the most thrilling contests of 2010.

Everard and regular navigator Sam Collis, see this as the perfect opportunity to progress from the top level results gained in the Fiesta Sporting Trophy and to prove their worth in the R2. An invitation to the first Fiesta R2 test day at Carisle on 28th September will allow Everard to test the handling of the car before the kit has been fitted to his own. The Championship is set to follow all rounds of the BRC plus the Malcom Wilson Rally.

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