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Weaver and Thornton claim podium on Woodpecker Stages Rally

Posted on Monday, 03 September 2007 05:06PM by

ACCREDIS UK

Harry Hockly Motorsport

Hankook Tyres

Neil Weaver and Nick Thornton claimed their fifth podium of the season as they finished third in the 1400 section of the Woodpecker Stages Rally on Saturday (1 September).

Newtown driver Weaver and Holmfirth co-driver Thornton finished third in the 1400s, 40 ^th overall and third in class B9 in their ACCREDIS UK and Hankook Tyres-sponsored 1400cc Proton Satria after earlier leading the section on the Ludlow-based 45-mile forest gravel event.

The crew had taken charge at the top of the 1400 leaderboard from the outset in their Harry Hockly Motorsport-run car and went into the eighth and final stage in Haye Park with a comfortable 44-second advantage over second placed Martyn and Richard Lewis.

But then the diff blew two miles from the end of the test and they had to struggle through the remaining part of the stage, losing time, to eventually end-up third and just a narrow nine seconds behind 1400 winners the Lewis'. It was their fifth podium finish out of five rallies they have competed on this season.

The pair set the fastest stage times across five of the tests as Ludlow-born Weaver drove a near perfect rally on his home event despite second gear proving troublesome throughout the day and the brakes going off on the last four stages.

"We were having such a good run up until the last stage," Weaver said. "The stages were going well, we were leading the 1400s and setting fastest times. It was unfortunate and frustrating that the diff blew so close to the end and we dropped down to third, but as we say in the sport, that's rallying and anything can happen, we still had a good day and a good finish. It's disappointing not to get our third win in a row on the Woodpecker but it was great to be competing on my home event.

"We'd like to thank all of our sponsors: Telford-based ACCREDIS UK, Hankook Tyres and Harry Hockly Motorsport for making it possible for us to be out there competing and everyone else who helped this weekend."

Weaver and Thornton will next be in action on the Newtown-based Plains Rally on Saturday 22 September.

For further information please contact:

Press and PR: Amanda Cornforth at 6^th Gear PR on: 07947 428920/01439 798207

amanda@6thgearpr.co.uk

www.6thgearpr.co.uk

Weaver Motorsport: www.weavermotorsport.co.uk