Brad Cole says he’s “moving in the right direction” after scoring his career-best Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship result – and taking the series lead into the final round.
The Somerset driver came closer than ever to a maximum points score on the recent R Kings Down Rally, battling three-time champion Jason Pritchard throughout the eight-stage Northern Ireland event before eventually finishing just 3.1 seconds behind in his Hydroline Solutions Ford Fiesta Rally2.
The pair couldn’t even be separated on the final stage, setting exactly the same time – a flying 6mins 07secs over the 6.77-mile Tory Brae test.
It was another significant step forward for Brad in what has been an impressively consistent campaign.
Having finished second once, third once and fourth three times, he heads to the seventh and final round of the BTRDA series – the Hills Ford Stages (19/20 September) – leading the drivers’ standings.
And there is more than the championship title at stake. Brad is also in pole position to win a test with M-Sport in a Ford Puma Rally1 – the end-of-season prize for the highest-placed Fiesta Rally2 driver.
His car is prepared by Trick Motorsport and run on events by East Budleigh Garage, with Jamie Vaughan returning to the co-driver’s seat for the championship decider.
“We had a good day’s battle with Jason on the Down Rally and ended up just three seconds behind on what was a positive day,” said Brad.
“Fifth overall in the whole rally, but the Protyre Asphalt Championship was our focus. I’m over the moon to finish on the second step – and there’s only one place left!
“We’re moving in the right direction and it’s nice to finally get some decent results strung together.
“The last round is the Hills Ford Stages and there are still points to be had. It’s a case of getting the head down, getting some studying done and continuing to build.”
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