Aberdyfi rally driver Wyn Humphreys and his Manx co-driver Rob Fagg suffered a frustrating weekend on Rally Isle of Man.
The pair came into the three day event, renowned as one of the toughest events in rallying, in fifth place in the Tesco 99 Octane British Championship standings. Their Carnforth-based Atlas TEG Sport squad was also looking to extend their lead in the Teams Championship
Wyn finished third of the British contenders on the event in 2007, so despite not having a pre event test or a chance to tackle the shakedown stage last Wednesday night, hopes were high for Rob’s home event.
When the rally started from the famous TT Grandstand at tea-time on Thursday the crew were ninth quickest over the opening test along Marine Drive with its fearsome roadside drops into the Irish Sea.
From there they headed to two runs of the unique town centre run through the streets of Castletown, the ancient capital of the island. With rain falling the pair dropped to 14th overall.
Worse was to come on the longest stage of the event, 13-miles of Cringle, when they were caught on the wrong tyres in treacherous conditions. The Subaru Impreza N12 slithered off the stage at one third distance and they had no choice but to drive cautiously, dropping time and places to 24th overnight.
Friday was no less tricky, showers falling throughout making for searching conditions and a huge test of driving ability.
Despite encountering thick mist as well as rain on the opening loop of the 12 stage day, Wyn and Rob were up to 16th position by first service, helping to re-build confidence.
They caught a car on the next stage as they were going so well on some rare dry roads, slashing into the lead of the crews immediately ahead as they targeted more places. They moved up again on Stage 10, Tholt-y-Will, and after service moved into 12th place after overhauling local driver Paul Curphey in a Mitsubishi Evo 9.
However the next test proved to be the end of fight back.
Around 4 miles in Wyn and Rob began to smell burning and as the stage went on the car was getting warmer. With no obvious signs they continued, but at a square right just before the famous Kella crossroads the steering locked and as the car pushed on a flame came from the wheel arch over the bonnet. The crew continued to the crossroads and pulled off the stage before extinguishing the fire.
Investigation was later to suggest that a crack in the exhaust manifold had caused the carbon fiber sump guard to ignite. This in turn burnt away rubber seals on the power steering rack igniting the fluid which continued to burn as it settled on the guard. It melted the rubber under the bonnet including the engine mounts.
"It's disappointing to have retired this early in the event just as we were beginning to climb the leaderboard" commented a despondent Humphreys back at the service area. "We had an off early in the event and lost time along with the tricky conditions but today we have started to get back towards the pace but it's not to be."
However all was not lost. The Atlas TEG Sport mechanics recovered the car to service and worked into the night replacing the various damaged components including repairing the damaged steering rack so the crew could return to action under super rally rules.
The fight was still on for points in the teams title chase, so it was important they completed as many stages as possible on Saturday and stayed ahead of Revolution Wheels driver Rob Swann who was also ‘super rallying’.
The pair did just that, returning to the TT Grandstand finish in 32nd place.
"Last year we finished on the podium in the BRC runners on this event and left the island leading the Championship” explained Humphreys. “This year could not have been much further than that. It has been disappointing but we have got to pick ourselves up and turn our attentions to the Ulster International next month and look to get the season back on track."
Isle of Man Sports Aid Foundation recipient Fagg was also disappointed with the result on his home event.
"After missing the event last year due to other commitments I was really looking forward to the event. Thursday did not go to plan but we started to pull things together on Friday and climb the leaderboard in the search for more points. The fire we could do nothing about and it was very disappointing to retire so early in the event. Super Rally enabled us to get out on Saturday but we had no reason to push and just had to ensure we got the car round to assist in the team championships which we were able to do. I can't wait now for the Ulster and to put this event behind us."
The result was enough to help keep Atlas TEG Sport at the top of the standings, with team-mate Mark Higgins winning the round outright. They remain top by 5 points, ahead of Team TQ.com.
Wyn and Rob drop to 7th and 6th respectively in the overall championship while team mates Mark Higgins and Rory Kennedy jump to 2nd. | 
