"Podium Place Publicity" on Swansea Bay Rally

19 July 2004

MSportUK-featured Stefan Davis had to pick himself up after the engine problems continued to haunt him on the Mid Wales Stages, Round 4 of the championship. Stefan managed to finish 9th out of the 15 1.9 Scholarship starters in the Peugeot 205 Rally Champtionship, but the engine once again was on its last legs. But pick it up he did back with regular co-driver Craig Burgess back in the car the crew contested Swansea Bay Rally a forest rally based in the valleys of South Wales. The Swansea Bay Rally is a rally loved by many using many of stages used by the WRC drivers on British World Rally Championship Round (Wales Rally GB). This meant that these were to be some of the most demanding stages that Stefan had ever contested on. With the third rebuilt engine of the year the crew were keeping their fingers crossed they had finally got it right.

SS1 Rhondda – On the way to the first stage it was quite clear that there was going to be a difficult first stage. The mist was low and visibility was down to about thirty metres in places. The car was running well though Stefan had never driven in the mist before and admitted “ I backed off too much in there, I should have had more faith in the notes ” said the 25 year old from Kent.

SS2 Tyle – A clear stage completely different stage to Rhondda fast and flowing and Stefan was starting to adjust to the new suspension set-up that seemed to be working very well.

SS3 Walters Arena – A 3.5 mile stage which is a spectators delight with a series of twist and turns humps and jumps made it great fun to drive as well. After seeing the times from the first two stages Stefan knew he had been going too slow and pushed up the pace through the Arena. A massive moment at over eighty mph saw the crew nearly having a big off but quick reactions saved the day and the crew continued to set the 4th fastest Scholarship time.

SS4 Rheola – The crew continued to push and Stefan’s confidence increased more and more setting another top 5 time. The stage had some really fast sections flat in fifth with no room for error and it really test driver confidence.

SS5 Resolfen – The longest stage of the day. A 15 mile test through the renowned Resolfen and it proved to be tricky and caught a number of the crews out. The stage was hard on the crew and Stefan admitted falling asleep half way through the stage and losing time because of it.

The crew got back to the Finish ramp to find they had achieved their best result of the year and Stefan's career finishing 3rd out of the 14 Scholarship entrants and winning their first taste of prize money in the process. The rally will be broadcast on Sky Sports in a few weeks so keep an eye out for the Red White and Blue SDM Machine of Stefan Davis.

Stefan commented "It was such a nice relief to have an engine that was not ready to blow and to not have to watch the gauges instead of the road all day."

Stefan would like to give a big thanks to WF and GE Lighting for paying for 8 forest rally tyres for the rally, which is fantastic support. "I went and saw Stefan on the Tempest Rally last year and he looked so committed to his rallying that I had to help him", said Peter Cooper WF. The team also like to think local company Britania MOT Centre, Aylesford for provided the fuel for the Service Vehicle which chased Stefan round South Wales all day. The team are looking forward to the next championship round, the Trackrod Rally a British Rally Championship Round on the 2nd & 3rd October, based in North Yorkshire.

Supporters can follow Stefan's progress on MSport-UK.com - Full Details

See 2004 series calendar for 205 Rally Scholarship

Related Story 19.05.2004 - Stefan Flies to Fourth on Panaround Rally, Wales