This weekend’s RSAC Scottish Rally, round three of the 2017 Prestone MSA British Rally Championship, saw a Cup specification Vauxhall Adam driven by Arron Windus finish third in the Cadet Class and 18th overall. The result included a series of top-three fastest class times that underlined the Adam as a competitive package for this value-for-money category.
After an outing on the Somerset Stages in April to shakedown the gravel kit for the Cup specification Adam, the next stage for the Vauxhall Motorsport Junior Rally Team – was to enter the car into the British Rally Championship Cadet Class, the category for limited specification 1.6-litre and previous generation R2 cars.
After making an impressive debut in the UK last year, young Australian driver Arron Windus was eager to return to Britain to showcase his own talents and therefore jumped at the chance to drive the Adam Cup car in Scotland. Joining him in the co-driver’s seat on this occasion was Richard Crozier from Kinross in Scotland.
Taking place in the Dumfries and Galloway Forests, the event featured 75 competitive miles that comprised two stages on Friday evening followed by a further eight on Saturday. On stage six, the Adam recorded the fastest time in the Cadet Class and followed this up with three second-fastest times – an impressive performance against the R2 class cars that were also running in the category.
At the finish Windus said: “The car was fantastic to drive and even though it was such a tough event, it never missed a beat – even in the tricky conditions. I must admit that we were surprised that we were able to stay in touch with many of the R2 cars. Competing in the Adam on this event has been well worth making the trip from Melbourne!”
“Our decision to contest the Scottish Rally was a test to see how the car would stand up in tough conditions – and it did just that,” added Vauxhall Motorsport Junior Rally Team manager Simon Mauger. “In fact, throughout the event there were no issues whatsoever and confirms just how strong and reliable the Cup specification Adam really is.
“Arron and Richard did a good job for us and we were impressedto see the car so competitive up against the R2s and, whilst the Cup car does not have as much power, it makes up for it by the way it handles and the feedback it provides the driver. The Adam is also cheaper to buy and costs far less to run too!” Concluded Mauger. “We are now looking at putting the car though it’s paces on a tarmac event to prove it’s competitive on all surfaces.”
The Vauxhall Motorsport Junior Rally Team is now building Cup specification Adams for the BRC Cadet Class and in advance of launching a one-make series for the car in 2018.
