Damian Cole scored a record-equalling sixth Mewla National Rally win to extend his lead at the top of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship – and victory was made all the sweeter by the fact that he was partnered by Paul Spooner, who had guided him to his first Mewla win in 2008.
It was also Damian’s 23rd rally win on Epynt, equalling the all-time record also set by John Price almost 20 years ago.
Having worked tirelessly to get his Get Connected/Energizer-backed Ford Fiesta RS WRC working as he likes it, particularly on the suspension set-up and sensitive throttle mapping system, Damian began the Epynt Motor Club organised event at a blistering pace – setting fastest time on each of the opening three stages to establish a 13 second lead.
He remained unbeaten for the first seven stages in fact, although a spin on the grass in the German Village illustrated how hard he was pushing.
Both the pace of the rally and the heat of the day were ferocious as crews arrived at mid-day service, where Damian had already edged out a very cool 29 second lead.
Damian consolidated his advantage in the afternoon, maintaining that exact margin until finally allowing himself to ease off on the final loop of three stages – winning the event by 19 seconds.