Top Gloucestershire based rally co-driver Kaz Watts is ready to put the disappointment of the Dukeries Rally behind her and the BTRDA Rally Series title challenge back on track when she returns with Darren Pinchin in the Proton Satria on the Nicky Grist Quinton Stages Rally this weekend.
Kaz is currently lying top of the table in the Millers Oils BTRDA 1400 Championship as well as leading the BTRDA Lady Co-Driver going in to sixth round of the championship but her and Darren haven’t had it all their own way.
“We had a great start to the year, we scored maximum championship points on my home event – the GMF Wyedean Rally – having a good battle with Justin Lawson throughout the day we just managed to clinch second overall behind Julian Wilkes, who isn’t registered for the Championship. In March we headed to the second round in Cumbria, the Malcolm Wilson Rally which we won outright.”
Round three saw crews move from the farthest north event in Cockermouth right down to the coastal town of Minehead for the Somerset Stages. Kaz and Darren would be up against tough competition with local driver Julian Wilkes joining the fold for a one-off outing.
A good start saw Kaz and Darren lying 43rd overall after the unique tarmac Porlock Toll Road. Knowing that Julian, who was leading, and Shaun Bolt, in second, were not registered for championship points the duo took the fight to Clive Anstey in the Vauxhall Corsa as their nearest championship rivals. By the end of the dusty, sandy stages Kaz and Darren had consolidated their third place and scored their third maximum points score of the year.
Crews moved in to Wales for round four of BTRDA Rally Series where Kaz and Darren were not looking to repeat the previous years result, which saw the pair retire on the Plains Rally after leaving the road. With tough competition from the outset from Vauxhall Nova of Justin Lawson, Kaz and Darren put up a tough fight but just couldn’t match his pace. Picking up 2nd spot at the end of the event secure the Proton pair their first place in the championship heading in to round five.
The Dukeries Rally saw Kaz and Darren head in to the forests around Mansfield in a bid to extend their lead of the Millers Oils 1400 Championship. Running first on the road the crew struggled to find grip in the morning on the tricky stages.
“We were travelling down a short stretch of tarmac which turned in to gravel on the corner just down from the start. We knew the tarmac was slippery under the trees so made sure we broke early but the car wouldn’t stop – we ended up sliding sideways into the ditch but managed to get back out. It seems to have caught quite a few crews out. It wasn’t the end of our dramas for that stage – we picked up a puncture just before the end.
“The service crew did a fantastic job in service and got the car through the rest of the day – I really can’t thank them enough. We managed to get the car to the finish and picked up a second place.
“The car’s needed a lot of work to straighten it out but we’re ready for Nicky Grist Quinton Stages. We’re hoping for a good run and looking forward to getting back out on to the stages.”
Kaz and Darren have three rounds left in the BTRDA Rally Series Millers Oils 1400 Championship. The team are supported by Gibsons ‘The Forest Trading Post’ , Gotherington Cross Garage and APD Motor Factors company. Support Kaz and Darren on the stages this Saturday, for spectator information visit www. nickygristquintonstages.quinton-mc.org.uk/ or visit www.kazrallying.co.uk for up to date news and photos.