XS Racing celebrates Killarney victory

07 December, 2007 12:00:00

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Overall victory on one of the most competitive historic stage rallies in Europe was a great way to wrap up the 2007 season for XS Racing.

The team fielded three cars on the Killarney Historic Rally on 1/2 December, 2007, an event that draws in some of the best historic rally crews from Britain and Ireland for a closed road event using classic stages like Molls Gap and the Healey Pass.

XS entered Porsche 911s for Steve Smith/Phil Spurge and Sean Lockyear/Chris Wood, as well as the Ford Escort Mk1 of Peter Egerton/Russ Langthorne. Right from the start, the Porsches were heading the times and Smith was lying third overnight. However, on the opening stage on Sunday it was Lockyear who set the pace, despite a high-speed spin.

As conditions worsened again on Sunday afternoon, Smith moved clear for a resounding victory, while Lockyear claimed a fine third in the post-historic category and fourth place overall. Egerton also had a trouble-free run to finish 22nd in the post-historic category.

"Victory in Killarney was a great way to finish the season," said Smith. "XS Racing produced a fabulous car that didn’t miss a beat all rally, and took all the punishment that Irish roads could throw at it."

Before the trip to Ireland, XS was busy on the Roger Albert Clark Rally running a Ford Escort Mk1 for Andrew Siddall and 'Captain' Thompson. Despite a couple of dramas, including putting the car on its side in Kershope forest, they battled on and some great work by the team ensured they got to the finish in 17th place overall and first in class. "We worked hard to keep the car running, especially after the accident in Kershope, so it was a good result," said team boss Jon Cropper.

In addition to routine car re-preparation over the winter months, the team is also started busy with build projects on fresh cars for 2008 for Peter Egerton (Ford Escort Mk2) and Andrew Siddall (Ford Escort Mk1).

XS Racing specialises in all types of historic rally preparation and parts supply across a wide range of cars. XS Racing can be contacted on 01246 233777.