Three in a row for Higgins and Thomas
David Higgins and Ieuan Thomas have taken their third consecutive victory in the Chinese rally championship by winning the Liupanshui Rally in China today.
The TQ backed duo enjoyed a thrilling battle with fellow Manxman Martin Rowe throughout the event in their WY rally team Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9.
“What a battle,” said David. “We had a few problems on the first leg and finished the day 4.3 seconds behind Martin. But things went better on the second leg and after eight stages Martin and I were tied on exactly the same time. We were fastest on the final two stages to win by two seconds.”
There was no time for celebration however, as David and Ieuan now have to race back from China in time to continue their British Rally Championship bid in the TQ RED Toyota S2000R on Rally Isle of Man this weekend. They are seeded at number nine.
“It’s going to be manic, but it’s one of my favourite events because it’s always great to rally back home on the island where there are lots of family and friends around,” said David. “People expect me to know the stages well because I was born on the island, but I only did two rallies on the island when we lived there so it’s the round of the BRC I probably have least experience of. I’ve done well there in the past though and the car is performing well.”
David has spent two days testing the car on asphalt since the last round of the BRC, the Jim Clark International Rally. He will be aiming to build on the success he had there when he finished second in the BRC points.
The points haul moved David up to fourth overall in the BRC drivers championship, and left the TQ RED team second equal with Mitsubishi in the team’s championship. His team-mate Hugh Evans will join him on the island in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9, running as car number 45.
The rally is a family affair for David - as well as competing against his brother Mark on Rally Isle of Man, David’s parents Tony and Christina and his cousin Andy Leece are on the entry list for the national section of the event.
The TQ backed duo enjoyed a thrilling battle with fellow Manxman Martin Rowe throughout the event in their WY rally team Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9.
“What a battle,” said David. “We had a few problems on the first leg and finished the day 4.3 seconds behind Martin. But things went better on the second leg and after eight stages Martin and I were tied on exactly the same time. We were fastest on the final two stages to win by two seconds.”
There was no time for celebration however, as David and Ieuan now have to race back from China in time to continue their British Rally Championship bid in the TQ RED Toyota S2000R on Rally Isle of Man this weekend. They are seeded at number nine.
“It’s going to be manic, but it’s one of my favourite events because it’s always great to rally back home on the island where there are lots of family and friends around,” said David. “People expect me to know the stages well because I was born on the island, but I only did two rallies on the island when we lived there so it’s the round of the BRC I probably have least experience of. I’ve done well there in the past though and the car is performing well.”
David has spent two days testing the car on asphalt since the last round of the BRC, the Jim Clark International Rally. He will be aiming to build on the success he had there when he finished second in the BRC points.
The points haul moved David up to fourth overall in the BRC drivers championship, and left the TQ RED team second equal with Mitsubishi in the team’s championship. His team-mate Hugh Evans will join him on the island in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9, running as car number 45.
The rally is a family affair for David - as well as competing against his brother Mark on Rally Isle of Man, David’s parents Tony and Christina and his cousin Andy Leece are on the entry list for the national section of the event.
posted by David at
18:03
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