West and Cobham ok after high speed roll
The Andrew Simms Mitsubishi team of Chris West & Chris Cobham were up to second overall when they went off on leg twos first stage. Photo: Euan Cameron
Chris West and Chris Cobham are both “a little sore but ok” following their high speed exit from the Drivesouth Rally of Otago yesterday.
The Andrew Simms Mitsubishi crew rolled 5.2km into the first stage on Sunday morning (the Taireri Beach forest test) after their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X ran wide on a very fast right hander.
“We are both ok today, just a little sore. Cobby (Chris Cobham) has some bruising around the eye but was cleared by the medical team last night. It’s a testament to the strength of the car and the safety gear,” stated West this morning.
After a difficult start to the rally on Saturdays leg 1 with a puncture, the pair had moved into second overall by the end of the day and were aiming to continue that pace during Sundays leg 2.
“The car was 100% and we were looking to push on during Sunday. We ran a little wide on a long fast right hander, and there was a tree stump that caught the right rear wheel.”
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X rolled a couple of times coming to rest on its roof, the following competitors on the stage stopped to provide assistance and the rally medical team were despatched to check on driver and co-driver.
“I just missed the apex and got wide and at that speed there is no margin for error. Sometimes you get away with it but that stump was there and it was the end of our rally.”
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