“Lucky Severn” for Matador Driver

Matador Tyres backed rally driver Craig Middleton bounced back from his fiery exit on the RBS International Manx Rally with a superb victory on the Severn Valley National Rally this weekend. With the Hyundai Accent WRC repaired after it ignited on the Isle of Man, the 26-year-old Welshman from Llandrindod Wells took a hard earned victory in hot and sunny conditions. The win keeps Craig’s chances of winning the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship alive after a year of mixed fortune so far.

After winning the Rallye Sunseeker but retiring from the following two rounds, Craig was delighted that fortune had favoured him for a change:
“I’ve got to say I was very disappointed to retire from the Border Counties and Manx events, so winning my home event has really made up for it. It was a frustrating day in many ways. The turbo boost just wasn’t quite there this morning, but we were able to cure that at service. From there I was able to get more on the pace, and obviously with the retirements we were able to take the lead and then increase it.

Losing fourth gear on the final stage was a real scare, and Robin also thought we were on fire again at one point, but fortunately it was just dust! The Matador Tyres performed brilliantly today as well. Even in the high temperatures and with the abrasive surface, the tyre gave me plenty of grip at all times – I was delighted.”

Craig’s next outing will be the Swansea Bay Rally on July 22nd. With the championship still wide open at this stage of the season, Middleton will no doubt be keen to make it victory number three of 2006 if possible.