Intercontinental Rally Challenge hopefuls Colin Smith and Craig Chapman got their season off to a flying start with a strong result in challenging condtions on last weekend’s Rally d’Italia Sardegna. The junior crew from Aberdeenshire piloted their Honda Civic Type-R to nineteenth overall, fifteenth in the IRC, second in the two-wheel drive section and first in class as they commenced their assault on the IRC’s 2WD Cup.
The Italian rally marked a number of firsts for Colin (23) and Craig (25). It was the first time Smith and Chapman had taken to the stages in their newly-acquired Honda, the first time Colin had rallied a left-hand drive car and the first time the junior crew had competed overseas.
By setting a steady pace, however, the Scottish youngsters were able to avoid the pitfalls of the challenging stages that claimed top drivers Kris Meeke, Guy Wilks and Andreas Mikkelsen among others. A minor excursion into a bank on the fifth stage cost Colin and Craig around five minutes, however they were able to extract themselves from the scenery and continue to the finish at a competitive pace.
“The whole event has been a big learning experience for us, and given that so many of the top drivers were caught out in the conditions we’re especially pleased to have made it to the end more or less in one piece,” declares Inverurie driver Smith. “The two-wheel drive field in the IRC is extremely competitive, but if we can produce a few more consistent performances like this then I’m optimistic we can be in a respectable position come the end of the season.”
“A class win on an international rally, on our first trip overseas – we couldn’t have hoped for more!” adds Westhill co-driver Chapman. “I can’t wait to get back out on the next rally now!”
On the Rally d'Italia Sardegna, Colin Smith and Craig Chapman finished nineteenth of all competitors, fifteenth in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, second in the two-wheel drive section and first in their class.
The next outing for Colin Smith and Craig Chapman will be the Geko Ypres Rally in Belgium from the 24 to 26 June.
To keep up with Colin and Craig’s IRC campaign, visit www.scr-sport.co.uk.
Photographs courtesy of ircseries.com.
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Tags: 2wd cup, colin r smith, honda, IRC, rallt italia sardegna, report, result, scottish rally team
