BENTHAM driver David Wright was robbed of the chance to push for victory on last weekend’s Dukeries rally when a driveshaft snapped to drop him down the leaderboard.

Wright got off to a great start in his Kumho Tyres, Proflex, Drenth, York Brewery, Millers Oils, Owen Developments and Grove Hill Garage-supported Mitsubishi Evo 9 and, after setting the fastest time in stage five, he was up to second overall, just 11 seconds off the leader.

With another five stages still to go Wright was confident of making up the time to take the win but disaster struck on the start line of stage eight when the driveshaft broke.

With no service halt after stage eight, Wright was forced to do two stages with the damaged shaft which dropped him to 13th on the leaderboard. The problem was fixed for the last stage and Wright made it to 12th place and fourth in class.

“The first few stages went really well,” said Wright. “I was very happy to be beating all but one of the World Rally class cars. The Dukeries stages have a lot of long straights which are a major disadvantage for our car.

“I think we had a great chance of winning the event but the snapped shaft put paid to that.

“It was a very disappointing way to end what could have been a fantastic rally for us.”

Wright’s next event will be the Nicky Grist Stages in July although he will also be appearing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed as part of the International Rally Drivers Club display.