Hall aims for Pirelli podium (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Hall aims for Pirelli podium

9:43am Friday 17th April 2009

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RALLYING: Kris Hall is aiming for his second ‘Kick Energy’ Fiesta SportTrophy UK victory of the season this weekend.

He drives the Pirelli International Rally in Carlisle in his Stobart Motorsport backed Fiesta ST.

And with 18 cars entered in the FST UK section the competition is set to be fierce.

The 19-year-old Applebybased driver lies second in the FST UK driver standings with two rallies in the sevenround series gone.

After a difficult weekend at the Bulldog Rally in Wales last month, where he finished just off the podium in fourth place after suffering a puncture, he is hoping to return to winning form on home territory.

The two-day rally, which is also the second round of the MSA British Rally Championship, will feature an ultra-compact format.

The bulk of the 102 miles of stages, including one new stage, will be based around the fast flowing tracks in the Kielder Forest complex.

With Hall’s regular codriver Robbie Durant unavailable due to prior commitments in the USA, Barry McNulty will take over the co-driver duties.

Hall is confident after receiving a day's pace-note training as part of his programme with the MSA British Rally Elite training scheme.

Hall's main rivals for victory in the R2 class are Fiesta SportTrophy UK championship leader Matt Edwards, who won a fortnight ago in Wales, and Irishman Craig Breen - fresh from victory in the Fiesta Sport Trophy International in Portugal.

The rally will be based in Carlisle with the Rally Headquarters, including start and finish, based at Carlisle Racecourse.

Hall said: “ The pace on the Pirelli Rally is as quick as any I've ever been on. and the stages are quite good. I didn't have a great run last year, but I have learned a lot since then.”

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