DEVASTATING END TO GOULD'S SCOTTISH DREAM
20/11/2009
Leading British driver Adam Gould has retired from the Rally of Scotland following a water pump failure aboard his BFGoodrich Drivers' Team Peugeot 207 S2000.
The 22-year-old Bristolian made a solid start to the Stirling-based final round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, belying his lack of experience of driving this style of car to hold a provisional podium place after the first two stages of the rally. Gould's misfortune came as he headed out of service following this morning's two stages.
The Kronos Racing team completed the precautionary work on the 207 and found nothing on the data to suggest the Peugeot had a problem. When Gould left service, bound for the refuel ahead of the next stage, an engine warning light came on instructing him to switch off the engine.
"The water pump failed on the way out of service," said Gould. "There was no warning about this, nothing. We were just driving to the refuel when the light came on. With no water pump, the engine would have overheated quickly. I can't begin to tell you how disappointing this is.
"I had a terrible morning; we had a spin in the second stage and it just wasn't really happening. At the time I thought: 'Okay, let's get to service and then use the afternoon to get more miles under our belt and get on top of this car'. That was the plan. Now that plan's finished. I can't believe it's over. We have gone from the highest of the highs at winning this drive to come down this point. Like I said, I can't quite take in the fact that we're out and we're not going to be driving this fantastic car again today."
Kronos team principal Marc van Dalen said: "We have to apologise to Adam and Seb [Marshall, co-driver]. These guys did nothing wrong. They made the good rally and everything was working well for them and then this. This is the way the sport can be some times. There is no warning for this problem. I'm very disappointed for them, but sometimes this is the life."
The failure is not linked to engine problem which Gould suffered at his pre-event test on Monday. The engine in the 207 he was driving failed 30 miles into his test, forcing them team to change the motor ahead of the Rally of Scotland.
Adam Gould Q&A
How did you feel in the car?
I felt okay. It wasn't difficult to drive, it would be wrong to say that, but it was very different to the Subaru which I had been in all year.
Did you underestimate that difference?
Maybe I did. People say driving a Super 1600 car, and Junior World Rally Championship car, is a good preparation for this S2000 formula and I think they're right. Unfortunately, I haven't driven S1600 either.
Explain what the difference is?
I think the biggest thing was born out of me not being completely confident in the car. I hadn't done quite so much testing as I would have liked and then going into stages that I'd never seen before, there were a couple of place where I was lifting momentarily in some corners, before committing. In the Subaru, you go back to the throttle and the power is there immediately. In this car, you have to build the power and then keep it on. You need to be completely in charge of the car, you need to be on top of it and absolutely pushing it through the corners. You need to be completely committed, in this car and to do that, you need experience in the car.
Was this the hardest thing you have done this year?
It was certainly one of them. Getting into a four-wheel-drive car and competing on gravel and asphalt for the first time ever at the start of the season was pretty tough and this next step was right up there with it.
What's your lasting memory of your time with the BFGoodrich Drivers' Team?
What a professional outfit they were. Nothing was too much for Kronos and everything was done perfectly. I want to thank Marc [van Dalen] and all the guys. Okay, it didn't work out the way I wanted it to, but it was still one heck of an opportunity which I received here and I am massively grateful for that. The lasting memory, however, has to be the car: it was awesome and the noise was just beautiful. I want to be back in one of these cars as soon as possible.
