Pirelli progress

TQ driver David Higgins turned the worst day of his rally career around to set stunning stage times on a testing Pirelli International Rally where he drove his TQ RED Toyota S2000R for the first time.

After a stressful run-up to the event when some parts for the car were late arriving from South Africa, David and his co-driver Ieuan Thomas had a successful recce last Friday. But then the day turned into what David describes as his worst day in rallying when he found himself at the start ramp with no car.

"The TQ RED team did an amazing job to get the car to Carlisle and through scrutineering on time because they found fuel pump problems which they fixed before they left the factory," said David. "But on the road from the service park to the start ramp they got caught in traffic, so the car was late and we started the event OTL."

Being OTL meant David picked up a ten minute penalty for each of the four Friday night stages and used the event as a test, knowing he was out of the race to win. Then on the third stage of the evening the car stopped when the battery died. "I saw the car for the first time at the start ramp," explained David. "So when I got in I didn't know where all the switches were. I accidentally flicked on the heated screen and that resulted in the battery going."

The RED team worked on the car on Friday night, and on Saturday David's times showed the promise of the car as he set two second fastest stage times, one of which was just 0.4 seconds off fastest.

"Friday was my worst day in rallying, but Saturday was the best fun I've ever had in a rally car," said David. "When you drive a Group N car you need to see your stage times to get satisfaction, but with the Super 2000 driving the car is satisfaction enough. It was fantastic."

On top of setting stunning times, the Super 2000 car thrilled spectators and other drivers in the event. While spectators loved the noise the car made compared to the quiet Group N cars, the other drivers are already worrying about what times David will be capable of setting after he and the TQ RED team have had time to test properly ahead of the next round, the Jim Clark International Rally on 26/27 May.

David's team mate and sponsor, TQ Education and Training managing director Hugh Evans and his co-driver Iestyn Williams finished 13th in their Mitsubishi Lancer E9. The Pirelli International was Hugh�s first experience of both the BRC and the infamous Kielder forests.

Pirelli preparations

TQ driver David Higgins and his co-driver Ieuan Thomas are facing the prospect of sitting in their TQ RED Super 2000 car for the first time on the start ramp of the Pirelli International Rally on April 20/21.

"The RED crew are doing everything they can and more to try to get the car ready in time for a test," says David. "But a crucial part hasn't arrived yet so it's still being built. But if the part doesn't arrive soon, RED will fly someone out to pick it up and bring it back to Britain in person so there is no worry about the car not being ready for the rally."

"It's not an ideal way to start a new season in a new car in a new category, but this time last year I didn't know I was doing the Pirelli. Then when we got a last minute deal I didn't have time for a test but we led the rally after the first stage and finished fourth after transmission problems. If we don�t get time for a test, we will go to get points and hope to be on the pace by the second day."

While he waits for his wheels to arrive, David has resorted to rallying indoors on his PS2 and keeping his fitness levels up by spending hours every day running and cycling.

David will be joined on the Pirelli International Rally by his TQ RED Rally Team mate Hugh Evans, managing director of David�s sponsor TQ Education and Training. Evans will drive a Mitsubishi Lancer E9. The team is sponsored by TQ, Proflex, PIAA and the Forest Experience Rally School.