Revolution Wheels-backed Audi A3 quattro driver David Kynaston and co-driver Andy Russell retired their unique V6-powered car towards the end of the first day of the recent Manx Telecom Rally when a faulty potentiometer was unable to supply the engine with fuel.
After gearbox gremlins had halted the pair on the opening round of the 2010 Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Championship, the former champions were looking to kick start their season and following a championship podium here a year ago Kynaston knew he was capable of a good result.
However, a half spin on the very first stage of the Manx Rally saw the team drop precious seconds to their rivals. Further time was lost on the second test with a broken throttle cable and a puncture near the end of the third stage saw their troubled evening continue. With just two stages left to run on the opening leg, held in very dry conditions for a change, the Audi was languishing in 43rd position. And then, just two miles into the fourth stage the potentiometer which governs the amount of fuel delivered to the engine, died, leaving the car stranded on the side of the stage.
Warren McKiernan of Revolution Wheels: “This retirement must be very frustrating for David and Andy as the pair never had a clean stage! The exceptionally dry conditions always would have made it hard work for the Audi to keep up with the more modern World Rally Cars but David was up to the challenge. The pair will bounce back from this though, and we wish them the best of luck on their next event, the Jim Clark National Rally.”
– Credit: Geoff Mayes Media