Scot John MacCrone bagged a top 10 finish in what was acknowledged as the strongest WRC2 field to tackle the Wales Rally GB.
The 28-year-old from Mull, returning to rally action in the forest stages for the first time in 14 months and mentored by Forfar potato merchant Richard Moore, was delighted with his performance.
“I’m definitely happy,” said MacCrone, partnered by US-based Australian co-driver, Rhianon Gelsomino through the 21 stages and 190 competitive miles in their DMACK-shod Ford Fiesta R5, prepared by Kelso’s Dom Buckley RSC.
“It’s difficult, having not been in a rally car — or even a rally environment — for more than a year, to just jump in a four-wheel drive rally car and be on the pace.
“Plus I hadn’t even sat in a left-hand drive car for more than a year.
“But we achieved our targets, and there were a number of big names, and guys who had done the full WRC2 or British Rally Championship, that finished behind us,” said MacCrone.
“If we’d just had a little more seat time, I know I would have made a significant jump forward. Considering all that, we were fast. I’m pretty happy.”
👍🏻 David Bogie & @johnmaccrone's performances didn't go unnoticed:
🏆 Bogie finished top Scotsman
🏆 MacCrone was 2nd privateer #SRC #WRGB pic.twitter.com/cVguNzb6ij— Scottish Rally Champ (@SRC_Rally) October 29, 2017
The Scot stuck diligently to his plan of bedding himself into the event and gradually increasing his pace, a strategy that paid off.
“The strength-in-depth of the WRC2 class was serious,” continued MacCrone, whose achievement in Wals has fuelled an ambition for a full series next season.
“Having been back in the car, I just want to do more. We stuck to our plan and got the car, undamaged, to the end.
“Hopefully that will help generate the interest and support to allow us to put something in place for a full campaign in 2018.”