03/04/2013
Armstrong/Ward Second Overall on Debut in Trinidad
Mr Atsushi Daimyo & Mr Hirohisa Homma (left) from Suzuki Motor Corporation with Team Technical Director Simon Willis (centre), Co-driver Barry Ward and Driver Neil Armstrong (right) at Lifestyle Motors
On arrival in Trinidad, Team Suzuki SX4 WRC attended a Team launch for the rally at Lifestyle Motors, the local Suzuki dealer. Both the Suzuki SX4 WRC of Barbadian Neil Armstrong and the Suzuki Swift of Trinidadian Ryan Peyrau were on display.
After an all-too-brief test in Trinidad on Friday morning just prior to the rally, new Team driver Neil Armstrong and Co-driver Barry Ward started Rally Trinidad 2013 on Friday 22nd March with two excellent runs through the Haseley Crawford Stadium Stage to lie second overall at the end of the first day’s action.
The bulk of Saturday’s stages were in the Cedar Hill area and despite a couple of challenges, Armstrong and Ward continued to impress despite their relative inexperience in the Suzuki SX4 WRC. Armstrong said - “So far Panton is definitely quicker through the more technical stages, but we are trying to keep it relaxed and take it one stage at a time. So much to learn. We are having a blast though! I think when I launched the SX4 last night for the first time at the Super Special I put my Co-Driver into a state of shock! He's not stopped grinning since..."
The SX4 WRC lost 4th and 5th gears on Stage 10 on Saturday, so Armstrong and Ward had to complete that stage as well as stage 12 - the last stage of the day - with fewer gears than they would have liked, but they were still able to hold onto their second place position going into Sunday. The team changed the gearbox on Saturday night in preparation for the final day of the rally which took place in the famous Bronte area. Armstrong and Ward won the first stage on Sunday and then proceeded to settle into a good rhythm which resulted in a fine second overall as the rally finished late on Sunday afternoon. The Team’s Simon Willis had this to say -
The winning overall team on Rally Trinidad - Team Monster Suzuki. Left: Suzuki SX4 WRC Driver Neil Armstrong and Codriver Barry Ward and right: Suzuki Swift Driver Ryan Peyrau and Co-Driver Simon Rodriguez
“Overall it has been a very exciting and satisfying rally. The Suzuki SX4 WRC Team wish to thank Neil and Barry for their hard work this weekend. It was certainly a baptism of fire but they have certainly shown they deserve to be in the premier category and have marked their arrival in no uncertain terms! To trade times with Jamaican Jeffery Panton in any event is not easy, but on a debut rally, first time rallying a left hand drive car, first rally in a WRC AND their first time on a gravel rally in a few years was all the more impressive. The Team also wish to thank Robert Cadiz and the Rally Trinidad event organisers for putting on a great rally. Huge thanks to our supporters at home, abroad and in particular our band of travelling Bajan fans!”
The Team also wish to thank our incredible sponsors - Monster, Sol, Chefette, Digicel, Virgin Atlantic, Gunk, Hankook Tyres, Redline Fuels, Simpson Finance and Simpson Motors.
