Kick Energy rally driver Steve Perez returned to the RBS International Rally on the Isle of Man and claimed a creditable 14th place finish at the end of the two day event.

Driving the Ford Focus WRC with co driver Howard Davies on the notes in round three of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship, the Clay Cross driver had to overcome a series of problems on Friday evening's leg which caused an intermittent electrical problem and left the crew in 31st position at the overnight halt.

However, with the problem fixed at the service halt, the 2004 ANCRO National Champion had to charge his way up the leaderboard on Saturday and at half way through the day was up to 19th before battling to a 14th place at the Douglas finish late this afternoon.  

Commenting afterwards, Perez said: "We had a few problems on Friday when the car cut out on every stage when we used the handbrake. We sorted the problem overnight but then got held up after a car had gone off this morning and then caught another on a later stage. The end of the rally went much better and I was starting to get my confidence back. It's been full of trials and tribulations but I'm pleased to have finished and I would like to have finished higher but the problems on Friday night cost us a lot."

Results

1, Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally                    Subaru Impreza WRC              1h:41m:40.0s
2, Roger Duckworth/Mark Broomfield        Subaru Impreza WRC              1:42:30.9
3, Jon Ingram/Ian Allsop                             Subaru Impreza WRC              1:44:06.3
4, David Kynaston/Andy Russell                 Audi A3 Quattro                      1:44:12.9
5, Keith Cronin/Greg Shinnors                    Mitsubishi Lancer Evo9            1:45:11.6
6, Neil McCance/Graham Hopewell           Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9           1:45:58.9
7, Stephen Moore/Tony McHugh               Ford Focus WRC                    1:46:24.1
8, Daniel Barry/Mark Bowens                    Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9           1:47:36.7
9, John Price/Caroline Price                        MG Metro 6R4                        1:47:39.3
10, Marcus Dodd/Andrew Bargery             Hyundai Accent WRC              1:47:46.0
11, Jonathan Greer/Jonny Hart                    Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9           1:47:55.8
12, Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson         Hyundai Accent WRC              1:48:01.7
13, Rob Watson/Bruce Craig                      Vauxhall Nova                          1:48:20.1
14, Steve Perez/Howard Davies                 Ford Focus WRC                    1:48:47.5
15, Nik Elsmore/Paul Wakely                     Mitsubishi Evo 9                       1:49:05.7