Paul’s back after curse

12:52pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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IT may be halfway through the year, but that hasn't stopped Paul Blanchard launching his bid to win the 2008 SD34 Rally Championship.

The Nelson driver retired from the opening round, the North West Stages, after blowing the engine on his Nissan Micra - then missed the next three events getting it rebuilt.

But Blanchard and co-driver Derek Lewin, also from Nelson, are set to make their reappearance on next month’s Pendragon Stages in Cumbria.

“Trying to win a championship starting halfway through the season means we’ve a bit of catching up to do,” explained Paul, who works as a car valeter.

“But we'll give it a go, and we'll have some fun trying.

“We suffered the ‘Curse of the Riverdance’ on the North West Stages, when the engine went on the promenade stage right opposite the stricken ferry.

“It’s taken some time - and money - to get the motor repaired, but we’re confident we’ll be in good shape for the Pendragon.”

This season marks a change of discipline for Blanchard, a member of Clitheroe DMC, who has spent the last five years competing on road rallies, winning his class on last year’s SD34 Championship in a 2-litre Vauxhall Astra.

He said: “I enjoyed road rallying, but wanted a change - and the Nissan Micra was perfect. It’s only got a 1300cc engine, which means you have to work very hard at extracting the maximum performance out of it.

“Although stage rallying can be expensive, my car stands me at less than £2000, and is as quick at venues like Weeton and Three Sisters as my old Astra.

“I’m looking forward to the Pendragon, which uses Lowther Park and the army ranges at Warcop.

“A good result there will be the perfect start, and the championship leader Steve Johnson is in a Nissan Micra too!”

Blanchard and Lewin are then hoping to contest events at Weeton, Three Sisters and Melbourne Airfield.

l Paul Blanchard is sponsored by Whitegate Motors, Padiham, and his car can be seen on the Clitheroe DMC stand at the RS Owners Club show at Towneley Park, Burnley, on Sunday.