Following on the disappointment of retirement in his last two outings, Saltash rally driver Alan Cookson bounced back in style on the penultimate round of the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship by taking third overall on the Ludlow-based Sixty & Worcestershire National Rally which formed part of the Woodpecker Rally.

With a newly rebuilt engine, the Robert Wiseman Dairies, Kick Energy, GillettsSpar.com, Kumho Tyres, Riverside Property Services and Olverelectrical.com supported Subaru Impreza WRC, nicknamed 'Daisy', because of the Friesian cow livery, performed faultlessly.

"The car did everything I asked of her today and I was really pleased with the performance of the whole team, Julian was spot on with the notes and I haven't enjoyed an event like this for a long time. The second run through Haye Park was magic with everything coming together perfectly," said Alan.

He continued: "I know I had said that this was going to be the last event for 'Daisy' but after today I feel that I want to give her one last run on the Trackrod later this month as she has performed so well and I would like to say thank you to my sponsors and give them another good result in Yorkshire."

Apart from an intercom fault on the first stage, which cost the pair a few seconds, they maintained a good pace throughout the day staying in touch with the leaders and Alan added: "There were a lot of local people competing today with a lot of local knowledge and it was good to compare times with them."

The result secured Alan and Julian runners-up spot in Class 8 of the 2009 MSA Pirelli Gravel Championship and elevated them to seventh overall in the main championship standings.

Alan is now looking forward to the final round of The 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship; the Pickering-based Trackrod Rally Yorkshire on September 26th.

Results

1  Steve Perez/Paul Spooner - Ford Focus WRC - 56:53
2  Nik Elsmore/Craig Drew - Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 - 59:01
3  Alan Cookson/Julian Wilkinson - Subaru Impreza WRC - 1:00:30
4  Harry Dodd/Alun Cook - Hyundai Accent WRC - 1:04:32
5  Steve Blunt Bob Duck - Subaru Impreza - 1:07:02
6  Rob Archer/Peter Field - Ford Escort RS 1800 - 1:07:19
7  Kit Leigh Tim Leigh - Ford Fiesta ST - 1:09:01
8  Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield - Subaru Impreza WRC - 1:10:38

2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship Standings after Round Seven

1 Marcus Dodd 119 (champion)
2 Steve Perez 112
3 Daniel Barry 102
4= Simon Hughes 94
  = Nik Elsmore 94
6 Paul Bird 68
7 Alan Cookson 67
8 Owen Murphy 65
9 Wug Utting 47
10 Alan Carmichael 43