Pro-Align in West Cork
The Pro-Align sponsored Historic Mk2 Ford Escort RS was in action at recent West Cork Rally (March 12-13).
It was a battle from the start with the car having a ‘bump’ on a pre rally test, however the Pro-Align driver Philip Wylie and Co Driver John Young, set out and completed the first stage with a 15 second lead. The next three stages they took a cautious approach, with the top three places being hard fought between the other Ford Escort RS’s of James O’Mahoney and Wyn Hughes, with Pro-Align positioned third at end of the first day (the leader had 30 second lead).
Despite total lack of intercom for the first three stages on Sunday, by stage 6 ( the second stage of the morning) Phil Wylie had forged forward into first in class and maintained this lead throughout the following stages until they over shot a turn on the very last stage. Philip Wylie said, “We got back on the pace on stage six but an overshoot on the final stretch cost us potentially the rally, although the winner, Wyn Hughes and David Davis, well deserved it as they had been held up for nearly a minute on an earlier stage.”
The final result, Phil Wylie and John Young came second overall in the Historic Rally section but were pleased to win the FIA class for cars built to approved historic specifications.
Pro-Align’s MD Paul Beaurain commented, “Philip and John drove an exceptional rally, despite the difficulties they faced and we are delighted at the result overall. We are proud to sponsor them and has been an excellent opportunity ahead of Pro-Align opening our new Hunter workshop equipment facility in Dublin.”