THE Tavistock-based crew of local electrical contractor Mike Perkin and his navigator Alf Chanter have recently returned from competing on the high speed rally stages of the Richard Burns memorial rally held at RAF Marham in Norfolk.
The team travelled the 700-mile round trip on their first event with the powerful self-prepared ex works Ford Puma (pictured) in preparation for a full south west rally championship assault for 2009.
The team were using the event as a test to learn as much about the car as they could prior to the 2009 championship and quickly discovered that the highly stressed rally car needs constant attention to ensure its reliability.
After three special rally stages the team were in 17th position overall on their first event, and were aiming for a class win.
Unfortunately, as they left the end of the stage the gearbox started to jump out of gear and the team decided that rather than carry on and risk extensive damage, they would retire and use the data they had learned to take the team forwards in to their 2009 championship year.
The event showed the team the car has the pace to run in the top ten, and that the strength of the car was in its nimble handling and its power. Next year will see the team looking to compete in the Association of South Western Motor Clubs' tarmac rally series, with events covering the south west of England from North Wales across to London and Lizard.
The team expressed thanks to their sponsors and supporters, M D Perkin Electrical, AC Haines Engineering, Tyre Marks and Dub Monkeys, together with their service crew Dave and Paul for their commitment both during and prior to the event.