Paul co-drives in a 6R4
Motors TV Presenter, Paul Woodford made a guest appearance in Phil Ibbotson’s Metro 6R4 Evo at the weekend, co-driving on a stage in Radnor Forest.
Even getting up close and watching a Metro 6R4 in action is a breathtaking experience, and you can’t get much closer than inside the cockpit! That’s where Paul found himself on Sunday while he was presenting for Motors TV at Round 2 of the British Cross Country Championship.
Cross country rallying is different to normal stage rallying, because the driver can have more than one co-driver during an event. Because the same course is run throughout the whole weekend, by the second day the driver is able to perform his runs without a great deal of input from the co-driver, if necessary. Paul commented:
“It’s probably a good thing Phil knew the course by the time I got strapped into the car, because I was so stunned by the experience I could barely say a word!”
Phil’s rally car is a space-framed version of the iconic ‘80s Group B rally car, with a BMW M3 engine in the rear, mounted to a sequential gearbox. Cross country rally cars need to be tougher than regular rally cars, and they are higher off the ground to allow for the extreme terrain and jumps that the stages cover.
“For me, getting the chance to present for Motors TV is a boyhood ambition realised, but to combine this with a competitive stage in one of my all time favourite rally super cars was the icing on the cake. I am still buzzing from the experience – I couldn’t believe the commitment of the driver and the preparation of the car that enables such extreme driving to be achieved – it really was one of the most incredible moments of my life! You can’t hear yourself think, and even with the intercom on it’s hard to hear eachother on the stage. It’s very hard on your body too, with the jumps and high speed power sliding – I felt all wobbly when I climbed out of the car!”
Phil’s regular co-driver Will Jefferson got back into the hot seat for the final two stages of the day, and it’s fair to say that Will’s experience and knowledge of the car makes him the right man for the job, despite the fact that we suspect Paul would love to take his place!
The disappointments of the rally the day before we’re almost forgotten in Paul’s excitement, but if he needed motivation to get the engine rebuilt in the Ka and get back out there, this was it!
Round 2 of the Britpart MSA British Cross Country Championship will be shown on Motors TV in a couple of weeks’ time – watch this space for full details and timings nearer the date.
Photo reel
Harewood Hillclimb Yorkshire Trophy 6th August
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