Craig: Philosophical about Pirelli Result and he can’t wait to let his Fiesta loose on Molls Gap

Rest and relaxation were the order of the day as Craig returned home on Sunday from a two week excursion that took in both World Rally Turkey and the Pirelli International. Craig will only have time to get his clothes washed and repack as he has a tarmac test on Wednesday and the Rally of the Lakes starts on Thursday with a two day recce.

Craig and Gareth got their British Rally Championship assault back on track last weekend with a third place finish in Carlisle at the Pirelli International. The crew were under pressure going into the event after a non finish on the opening round, the Bulldog International in North Wales.

The Kick Energy Fiesta S2000 was well in contention and fighting for victory going into the final stage but suffered its first puncture of the event 4 killometres in and lost over two minutes, finally finishing third behind new championship leader Johnny Greer. Craig was very disappointed but philosophical about the result. "I felt gutted, second place was the target going into that final test, Gwyndaf was only five seconds ahead and my confidence was high. My car hadn't been as hard on tyre ware as the others all day and after setting a string of fastest times I felt very good, but that old adage of "you never know in rallying" came true. All things considered I must be happy with the result and my performance. We required a good result with our retirement on the Bulldog. I didn't get the chance to really find out how my pace was in relation to Keith, Gwyndaf, Alastair and the rest of the lads. To set six fastest stage times was great as our recce was rushed on account of getting to Carlisle so late. On Friday evening over the loop of three stages I must admit I was a little nervous, I know we had competed in Turkey but it was my first time in the Fiesta since our accident on the Circuit. It took those three stages to bed in but by Saturday morning I was up for a push, with my confidence restored. With Keith's misfortune on the last stage it opens up the championship again, Gwyndaf was a deserved winner. He too suffered on the bulldog but he is a seasoned campaigner with a wealth of experience. Gwyndaf will be a major rival for the remainder of the season on both the gravel and tarmac rounds".

So a day or two of rest. A quick recharge of the batteries and off to Killarney? "That's it in a nutshell. I travel to Killarney on Wednesday where we have a tarmac test planned, then we do our recce over Thursday/Friday and the rally starts on Saturday morning”.

"What will be your strategy at the Lakes?" "We're basically in the same position as we were going into the Pirelli, fight back mood. The year got off the perfect start in Galway but my third stage accident in the Circuit dented the confidence and the car. I was very down after that rally, our hopes were high and to go out so early was
devastating. So we must approach this event with the respect the rally deserves, bed ourselves in and take it from there. The rally itself will be a little different from last year as it's more compact. Saturday's stages are again based on the Mallow side of the town with service in Millstreet. The sting in the tail on day one will come on the final stage with the run up "Molls Gap". I can't wait to see what The Fiesta is like over the famous stage. Then on Sunday we move out to the other side of the town, with service in Milltown. This will be my first competitive time to drive those stages so there will be a learning curve”.

"Were you surprised to be seeded number three?” “Well it's an honor to be in the top three but there's some very stiff opposition all around me. Tim seeded number one and the winner last year will want to make it two in a row, Gareth at number two is in pole position in regards to the championship and after his problems at the Circuit will want to get back to winning ways. Just behind me we have Alastair, he suffered transmission problems last weekend but at the Circuit he was bloody unreal, so I'll have my hands full there. Next we have Denis (Cronin) and the Lakes to Denis is a home event and he is bound to be quick. Paul Bird follows Denis and it will be interesting to see what kind of pace the Focus will be on, he is partnered by Kirsty Riddick. Kirsty sat with me last year in Donegal and Paul will be in good hands. Behind Aaron MacHale in 8th we have Daragh O'Riordan and I think Daragh could be the dark horse. He has taken like a duck to water in the Impreza and this will be like a home rally for him. We then have three more Group N crews, Alan Ring is another man on home ground, Colm Murphy is always fast in Killarney and rounding things off Johnny Greer will be flying high after last weekends result. If that's not enough the weather will also have a huge part to play. The forecast is not promising so tyre choice could be a lottery”.