Cruttenden still in second following weekend rally

Joe Cruttenden and Matt Griffin in action at the Quinton Rally.

Newhey rally co-driver Joe Cruttenden consolidated his second place in the BTRDA Rally First championship at the weekend by finishing third on the Quinton Rally.

The 19-year old, co-driving for Matt Griffin, was in the battle for second on the early stages, but a mechanical fault on Stage 5 forced them off the pace.

The oil warning light came on towards the end of the stage and the pair had to take the final few miles of the stage at a more sedate pace, dropping them down to 4th.

"We got to service believing our event was over. We were just about to phone in our demise when we found the wire had come off the oil switch, which we replaced and that allowed us to continue," said Cruttenden.

Heavy rain on the next stage caused the VW Lupo’s windscreen to steam up. "Until it cleared Matt was driving blind, just on my pace note instructions," said Cruttenden.

The final stages saw the pair improve their stage times to eventually capture third place by five seconds on the last stage of the day.

Following the event the pair analysed their times with World Rally Co-driver Nicky Grist. Cruttenden said: "We knew we had gotten quicker during the day and since the last round Matt has become far smoother and far more consistent and we work very well as a team."

The pair have a break now until the next round in September but Joe will be getting on a ferry to the Isle of Man, on Wednesday, to compete, sat along side Belgium N1 Champion in the British Rally Championship, on the closed tarmac roads of the Manx international Rally.