Mystery fault foils Sykes in Carlisle (From Dudley News)

Mystery fault foils Sykes in Carlisle

7:00pm Friday 4th May 2012 in Sport

A MYSTERY electrical meant frustration for Stourbridge rally ace Richard Skyes at the Pirelli Challenge.

Sykes and co-driver Simon Taylor were forced to retire during the third stage of the Carlisle-based event.

The duo began the rally leading the BRC Challenge Championship and were well placed after the second stage, just six seconds behind leader Simon Moore.

But part way through the third stage the car suffered an electrical problem, which meant it had very little power as the engine would not rev above 1500rpm.

Sykes carried on through the stage hoping to nurse the car to the end but a steep hill near the finish proved too much. Frantic attempts to fix the fault came to nothing and the event was over for the Stourbridge driver.

It meant some pretty dedicated preparation had gone to waste.

Sykes said: “It’s very disappointing as we’d prepared for the Pirelli more than any other rally we’ve done – I didn’t drink in the week before the event and I’d even been to the gym three times!

“Everything was going to plan, we were aiming for a podium finish so to be in second place early on was ideal.

“Sadly the mysterious electrical fault ended our hopes. I tried changing various items on the car at the side of the stage but I couldn’t cure it.

“The only positive thing is the guys who took the podium places have already had retirements on the previous events, so we’re still in a good position for the championship, especially as the next three rounds are on my preferred surface of tarmac.”

Sykes’ next event will be the Jim Clark Challenge rally which takes place at the start of June.