SOLIHULL’S Scott Faulkner expressed his relief after lifting the BTRDA Production Cup by just two points following the final race of the season.
Requiring a win at the Trackrod Rally to overtake leaders Pat Naylor and Ian Lawrence, Faulkner and co-driver Gareth Parry lapped their rivals before guiding their Mitsubishi Evo IX across the finish line.
Commenting on the team’s success, Faulkner said: “When there’s no pressure and all you have to do is get to the finish it’s harder to concentrate, which makes finishing a challenge.
“We hit a bank in the last stage and we were sure we’d got a puncture, the Pirelli tyres held up well though and we brought it home.
“I’m so pleased for everyone in the team.
“It’s time to give everyone something in return for all their support and hard work this year.”
Faulkner and Parry had the upper hand, albeit a small one, over Naylor and Lawrence when finishing the first stage 0.8 seconds faster than their rivals in wet conditions.
Pushing on in stage two, Faulkner capitalised on mechanical issues suffered by Naylor and his co-driver to build a 30-second lead.
In the third stage, Faulkner caught up with his nearest rivals’ Mitsubishi, meaning both a race win and the title was in touching distance just by making it to the finish line.
Successfully racing to victory, the Professional Motorsport World Expo-backed team lifted the Production Cup to cap a stellar year of racing.
