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At the end of Day 2 on the 2014 Midnight Sun Rally, Tuthill Porsche holds third place as the rally prepares for its final day, 43 seconds behind the very quick leader and former rally winner, Kenneth Bäcklund in an RS Escort.
Lead Tuthill Porsche driver, Patrik Sandell, is enjoying his run in the FIA-friendly Tuthill Porsche 3-litre rally car. These sturdy Tuthill-built 911s are the same basic package used on our Below Zero winter ice driving courses, but the cars are proven winners on Tarmac events, and gravel-biased rallies like Sweden’s Midnight Sun.
Previous drivers of this particular Tuthill 911 include Francois Delecour, who drove this car on the 2011 Bulldog Rally, and Jimmy McRae, who won the 2011 Ulster Rally in this 911. “I have finally realised what pure flat out action is,” said Patrik at the end of Day 1. “Driving a no pace notes stage rally with a rear-wheel drive car on great stages is awesome!”
“We were running in second at the end of yesterday, but our nearest competitors are just as hungry to win here in Sweden, and managed to claw back a few seconds on us today,” said Richard Tuthill. “The final day has more than 40 kilometres of tough rally terrain, where one mistake or puncture could change everything for the leaders. We’ll be pushing to the finish, so will see how things unfold.”
Johan Bonnier is doing a great job in the 911 SC RS we recently built for him at Wardington, with a pukka works SC RS engine in the back. Johan is brand new to rallying, so his experienced co-driver Calvin Cooledge is also keeping confidence flowing. The pair are gaining places every stage: no mean feat on this super competitive rally.
Next update at the finish line! Photos courtesy of Midnattssolsrallyt/Fotogubben SE.
