Neil Roskell recovered from sliding up a bank on the opening stage of the East Riding Stages to record his 14th Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship podium finish in just four years – and get his challenge for the 2025 title off to a flying start.
Given how damp (despite a dry recce and no overnight rain), greasy and slippery the opening stages were, Neil wasn’t alone in wishing he’d started on different tyres (some later crews on hearing about the road conditions had taken wets, even though it wasn’t raining) – but despite a few hairy moments, Neil was fifth Protyre Asphalt contender after three stages in his Michelin-shod ND Civils/Burdens/Witham Motorsport Fiesta Rally2.
Thereafter he and co-driver Rob Fagg launched an attack to get back up the leaderboard in the Roskell Motorsport car, which they did in fine style to take home third-place Protyre Asphalt points.
“I decided on a brave move and go with a soft slick tyre, which I realised two miles into the opening stage was a very bad move,” admitted Neil.
“We ended up off the road and up a banking, then onto grass in several areas. We dropped a shed load oftime in the first three stages.
“We just had no grip. It was a stupid move. How we got back with just a damaged wing is beyond me.
“We made some time back on stage four, and then it was time to go back to service and onto wet tyres and a different set up for the afternoon.
“It was mint, and I got a better feeling of the car and tyres working properly and the driver started to get his confidence back! I got my head down and tried to work our way back up the pecking order.
“Rob and I got back into a flow, although a disintegrated bale on the spectator stage made us go wide on the exit where I thought for a second that I had punctured the rear. Luckily not.
“With the other guys behind me chomping at my tail, I needed to get my head down and buck up. So, for the last stage I got back into it and turned the gas up and managed to pull off a great result, considering how bad the first loop was.
“So, seventh overall and third Protyre Asphalt was a great result all in all.
“A big thank you to all the marshals and organisers for a top event.”
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