Cookson Claims second on Trackrod
Monday, 28 September 2009 12:32 | 
2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship - Round 8 -Trackrod Rally
COOKSON CLAIMS SECOND ON TRACKROD
Saltash rally driver Alan Cookson just missed out on the top step of the podium on this weekend's Pickering-based Trackrod Rally which comprised the final round of the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship.
Along with Wandsworth co driver Julian Wilkinson, the pair headed the leaderboard after the first two stages despite a spin in the Robert Wiseman Dairies, Kick Energy, GillettsSpar.com, Riverside Property Services and Olverelectrical.com supported Subaru Impreza WRC, nicknamed 'Daisy', on the second stage.
"We found a new pace today, again, everything just seemed to be going right until we had the spin on stage two, I had difficulty selecting reverse gear and we dropped about 15 seconds. But I was glad to still be at the top of the leaderboard when we finished the stage, little did I know that the spin would cost me overall victory" said Alan.
He continued "I really enjoyed the event; I think the only way to describe it was awesome! I don't think I have ever driven as fast as that before and I really enjoyed seeing how good Daisy was against the much newer car of Charlie's."
As the crews entered the final stage of the day the team was less than a second ahead of the Mitsubishi Lancer WRC of Charlie Payne and Craig Thorley. However, despite wringing every last ounce of performance out of the TEGsportprepared car they were just pipped at the post by Payne and Thorley.
Alan was magnanimous in defeat giving credit to Payne and Thorley, "Charlie must have been flying through there because I know I was. At the end of the day I am overjoyed with second place and the points we have scored today means we have finished sixth overall in the Championship, its been a fantastic year and I couldn't have done it without the backing of my sponsors."
The team are now considering putting an entry in for an end of year bash on the Coniston-based Grizedale Stages Rally in December.
Rally Results
1 Charlie PAYNE/Craig THORLEY, Mitsubishi Lancer - 0:41:14.5
2 Alan COOKSON/Julian WILKINSON, Subaru Impreza WRC 0:41:21.8
2 Alan COOKSON/Julian WILKINSON, Subaru Impreza WRC 0:41:21.8
3 Stephen PETCH/Michael WILKINSON, Mitsubishi Evo 9 0:43:31.7
2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship Standings after Round Eight
1 Marcus Dodd 119 (champion)
2 Steve Perez 112
3 Daniel Barry 102
4= Simon Hughes 94
= Nik Elsmore 94
6 Alan Cookson 88
7 Paul Bird 68
8 Owen Murphy 65
9 Wug Utting 47
10= Alan Carmichael 43
= Charlie Payne 43
2 Steve Perez 112
3 Daniel Barry 102
4= Simon Hughes 94
= Nik Elsmore 94
6 Alan Cookson 88
7 Paul Bird 68
8 Owen Murphy 65
9 Wug Utting 47
10= Alan Carmichael 43
= Charlie Payne 43
Picture attached of Alan Cookson in action, courtesy of Ian Hardy (www.ianhardy.net
Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 November 2009 13:01 )