Perez Wins 2014 BTRDA Rally Title
IRDC member Steve Perez from Chesterfield scored a second place finish on this weekend's Cambrian Rally and in doing so, clinched his fourth National title, adding to the title he last won in 2010. Competing with his usual Welsh co-driver Paul Spooner, Perez knew that in order to be certain of the BTRDA title they had to finish ahead of title rival Paul Bird and were in confident mood after taking their third victory of the season on last month's Trackrod Forest Stages Rally.
Driving the Dansport-prepared ex-Marcus Gronholm Kick Energy Ford Focus WRC07, Perez led following the opening stage as Bird hit problems and from then on, it was a case of keeping out of trouble and managing his advantage over the following seven tests. Trailing eventual winners David Weston and Kirsty Riddick's Subaru after the second stage, Perez, who had won the Cambrian Rally in 2010, took the fight to them by setting fastest time on SS3 from where he controlled his advantage for the remainder of the event.
Third fastest on SS4 before setting second quickest time on the following stage, Perez opted for caution on the final three tests as he kept out of trouble to cross the Llandudno finish ramp in second place ahead of Bird which was enough to seal him the crown. After the rally Steve Perez said: "I'm obviously delighted to win but it was a really difficult situation as I wasn't sure exactly what to do given I had such a big lead over Birdy after SS1. Conditions were extremely slippery and I found myself driving too cautiously but I didn't want to throw it away either. Birdy was on a charge and setting some brilliant times so I knew I had to keep the pace up which was difficult. But we managed it and to win what I consider to be Britain's most competitive rally series once again is fantastic."
19th October, 2014