Hunt suffers shakedown smash

Harry Hunt’s preparations for RallyRACC-Rally de Espana suffered a set back on shakedown this morning when the Englishman rolled his Citroen DS3 R3T during his first flying run over the mixed gravel and asphalt stage.

“The irony is that I was only intending to do one run anyway!” said Hunt, the winner of the inaugural Production Car Cup for Drivers of 2WD Cars. “Unfortunately we got caught in the ruts on the gravel and the car just went over on my side. At first I thought we were going to get away with it, because I was hanging onto as much opposite lock as I could to get the car back. It was a bit of a nightmare, because it’s not the best way to start the rally. But the main thing is that the damage appears to be mostly cosmetic, so it’s just a question of replacing a few panels. Luckily, tomorrow is another day.”

The main impact took place at the top of the windscreen, denting the roof, shattering the windscreen, and damaging the bonnet and lights. There was no mechanical damage, enabling Hunt and navigator Robbie Durant to drive out of the stage afterwards.

Hunt’s Wales-based iCars Motorsport team will now fix the car overnight, although he will drive it over the start ramp for the ceremonial start this evening in Salou.