8:46am Thursday 11th March 2010
By Neil Johnson
IF the winners of the Rally Mexico had to be decided on grit and determination, then Daniel Barritt and his new driver Toshi Arai would have beaten everyone else hands down.
The pair, on the first outing together in the Production Car World Championship, suffered a whole series of problems, including a high-speed roll, boiling brakes and another crash, before claiming a hard-earned second place.
“Just to get to the finish was a major achievement, so we were happy with second,” said Daniel.
“When we weren't having problems, we were right on the pace, and Toshi and I developed a good understanding of the notes as the rally went on.”
There was drama before the rally had even started when Barritt complained of interference on the intercom during a gravel test.
Arai then launched their Subaru Impreza into a high-speed roll, and although the pair escaped injury, the car sustained serious damage to the front end and the roof.
Arai’s team had to effect emergency repairs at a garage in Leon before passing a second scrutineers’ inspection in order to start the rally.
From the opening test, the pair were quickly locked into a thrilling battle with reigning PWRC champion Armindo Araujo, who led by 5.4 seconds going into Saturday's competition.
But a fastest time from Barritt and Arai on the opening stage of the day pulled them level.
However, the battle didn’t last the distance and their fortunes took a turn for the worse even before the next stage.
They were pulled over for a routine scrutineering check on the road section to SS12, and while the car was stationary, its red-hot brake discs boiled the fluid in the braking system. Arai only discovered this after he drove off and crashed on the next corner.
Although Barritt and Arai clawed back 36 seconds on the last day, they had to settle for second and a valuable 18 points.
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