Damian Cole returns to the Manx – a rally where victory has always escaped him

When Damian Cole was winning Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship titles left, right and centre – six in seven years to be precise, between 2010-2016 – there was only one rally where victory somehow managed to escaped him. The Manx. 

But having finished runner-up once, third three times and fourth once, the Abergavenny ace is returning to the Isle of Man for the first time since 2021 to contest this year’s Proflex Manx Rally (11/12 April) in his Get Connected Citroën C3 Rally2.

It’s been six years since Damian last contested the entire BTRDA sealed-surface series, finishing runner-up to Jason Pritchard (by just one point) in 2019.

Since then, he has selected asphalt and gravel events to do when time allowed in a variety of cars – ranging from a Škoda Fabia R5 to a road rally-spec Escort Mk2 – with a considerable amount of success.

And now he’s back for a full crack at the Protyre Asphalt Championship – although things didn’t go entirely as planned on the opening round, as Damian and co-driver Rhodri Evans were slowed on the East Riding Stages by a split turbo boost pipe.

The pipe was twisted and sticking up at the perfect angle for the windscreen wiper motor to slice into it – hidden from view under the dashboard and impossible to detect during just one 30-minute service. 

Since then, Damian has tested the car on the Kath Curzon Memorial Rally at Pembrey Circuit.

It’s a venue where he has surprisingly only won once at, 25 years ago – and he lost out on victory this time by just one second (not helped by being held up by a car blocking the road on the penultimate stage, having entered SS5 with a two second advantage).

“The last time I rallied on the Isle of Man was in 2021,” says Damian. 

“I touched the grass verge then spun and wedged the Škoda Fabia R5 between the banks, blocking the road and causing too much damage to the car for us to continue.

“If we reach the end of the event this year, I’ll be happy with a top ten result.

“Because of our turbo boost pressure issues, we never really got going on the East Riding – so we’re still getting back up to speed and aim to back somewhere near the top pace towards the end of the year.”