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Hockridge happy to put Bulldog behind him ...
Pwllheli based Andrew Hockridge experienced a nightmare
run up to last weekends Bulldog International Rally of
North Wales when his brand new Signature Cheese backed
Citroen C2R2 Max was involved in a road traffic accident
the day before, meaning that his team had to rebuild the
rally car overnight
Andrew, who had finished second in the Citroen Cup in
2008, was looking forward to contesting his home event
when he received news that his rally car had been
involved in a car crash during a systems check.
Fortunately his chief mechanic, Chris Fuller, who was
driving the car, was not seriously injured and Geoff
Jones Motorsport worked throughout Friday night,
scavenging suspension pieces off of Andrew’s 2008 car to
ensure that the North Wales businessman could take to
the start in Bala on Friday morning.
However, because of the difference in specification
between the two cars the day was all about just trying
to keep the Signature Cheese backed Citroen on the road
and Andrew and co-driver Rich Mills were relieved to see
the finish.
It’s
been a long and emotional rollercoaster for the last 48
hours. When I first heard about the crash my immediate
concern was for Chris but once we found out that he was
ok but that the car was the worse for wear we really
thought that our rally was already over.
It
was a bizarre incident that should ideally never have
happened, but at least we’ve picked up points for fourth
in class, but it was frustrating to not be able to drive
the new car to its full potential this weekend.
 Andrew
and Rich will be in action next on the Pirelli
International Rally in Carlisle. Andrew has fond
memories of this rally, after winning on his debut in
the British Championship here last year.
... and heads north for round 2
Signature Cheese backed Andrew Hockridge heads north to
Cumbria hoping for a far less stressful and trouble free
round two of the 2009 MSA British Rally Championship,
after enduring an eventful weekend last time out.
Pwllheli based Andrew, who is contesting the full
C2R2cup for the second year, was debuting his brand new
GRH Foods supported C2R2Max on the recent Bulldog
International Rally of North Wales but when the car was
involved in a road accident the day before the rally the
team was forced to pull out all the stops to re build
the Citroen overnight. Whilst Andrew, and co driver Rich
Mills, may have finished the rally the ill handling car
made the experience less than enjoyable.
With
the Geoff Jones Motorsport prepared car restored to full
health Andrew heads to Carlisle with fond memories. It
was on this event in 2008 that Andrew upset the form
book with a strong and calculated drive to take the
class win and with it, an early championship lead!
The
Pirelli Rally is a tough event with a fierce reputation,
and to win there last year was a real surprise. I am
under no illusions that the pace will be really fierce
this weekend and with both Jason and Marty having
experience of their new cars on gravel I am still
playing catch up.
For
Rich and I our championship effectively begins this
weekend.
The
Pirelli International Rally is based in Carlisle and
incorporates stages within the world famous Kielder
Forest Complex. With three stages on Friday night,
offering crews the extra challenge of high speed forest
rallying in the dark, followed by another nine stages on
Saturday, the surviving crews then return to Carlisle
for the ceremonial finish early on Saturday evening.
For
more on Andrew please visit
www.andrew-hockridge.co.uk plus A short YouTube
video is available
here
Attached photos courtesy of Geoff Mayes
Media (www.geoffmayesmedia.com)
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