Car failure scuppers homeboy’s bid for Rally victory

Monday 14 October 2019

A local driver saw his chance to win the Jersey Rally go down the drain on the event’s opening day due to a faulty sensor, but managed to pull through to take home the Trophy Rally.

Ed Fossey’s engine cut due to a faulty throttle sensor in the middle of the Grouville stage of the Roberts Garages Ltd Jersey Rally, as he was negotiating the tight hairpin at the bottom of Queen’s Valley.

The 21-year-old Jerseyman and his Guernsey co-driver Will Rutherford managed to reset the car but, having lost too much time, decided to return the service and spent the evening working with their team to eliminate any other potential issues.

“We got off to a bit of a slow start on the opening day which was to be predicted after a season on the gravel,” Fossey explained. 

Pictured: Fossey teamed up with Will Rutherford. (Jack Clayden Photography)

“On the first couple of stages we took our time and when we did get into the swing of things the throttle sensor problem came to the fore which put us out for the rest of the day. We ironed all of the problems out that evening and we thought we will use the second day as a test day.”

Along with their fellow competitors who had to retire on the opening day, Fossey and Rutherford took part in a separate event – the Trophy Rally. Fossey, behind the wheel of his Yokohama Peugeot 208 R2, faced competition from 12 other runners on a wet and slippery set of stages through St. Ouen, Greve de Lecq, Trinity and Longueville.  

By the halfway point and despite a battle against the elements, Fossey and Rutherford were enjoying a dual with experienced driver Gary le Coadou in a Hyundai i20 World Rally Car – one of the most powerful and most state-of-the-art machine on this year’s entry list. 

Pictured: Fossey's car stopped in the middle of the Grouville stage. (Jack Clayden Photography)

In the afternoon stages, Fossey managed to “leap-frog” the WRC car, shooting into the distance with a 14.7 second margin to seal the Trophy Rally win.

“It was great to get another in the day, and we have been able to change various bits on the set-up to see how the car reacts,” Fossey added. “Our stage times on Saturday showed we would be running quite well in the main field, and we are disappointed not to be in the main event but that is rallying at times.

“If you can’t win the main rally you have to give the Trophy Rally a good go, as everyone starts with zero on the clock and you have to try and win it. We had a good day, and I am really happy to have won the Trophy Rally. To got into battles with the most powerful machines and be in front of them is confidence inspiring.”

Pictured: Chris West and Robbie Hanner won the Jersey Rally.

The Jersey Rally was the final event of the season for Fossey and his team. After another season in the UK, he thoroughly enjoyed this season finale on home soil. The winter will provide the opportunity to think about the plans for 2020. 

“It always feels different for me to compete in Jersey. It will always be a favourite event of mine,” Fossey said. 

“I wake up different, I feel a different energy when I am here and it’s something I want to try and take with me to events no matter where they are. It works really well at home and I want to now translate that on events abroad.

"2019 was another great event and I would like to thank all the organising team and marshals for standing out in all elements to make this rally happen and to Chris West and Robbie Hannah on the overall rally victory.”

Pictured top: Ed Fossey, who took home the Trophy Rally. (Jack Clayden Photography)