Q&A with Robert Barrable

How frustrating was your IRC return after retiring from sixth position?

“It could have been much worse and by stopping we hope we saved the gearbox from further damage. Maybe last year [when I scored points on my Ypres debut] was beginners’ luck. The set-up wasn’t always perfect but we gained some good experience.”

You had a new co-driver for this year’s Ypres Rally in Stuart Loudon. Is it going well?

“Ypres was our second event together – we also did the [British championship] Jim Clark Rally. It’s working out well, he has quite a distinctive Scottish accent but he’s got good international experience and it’s a partnership I’d like to take further.”

What’s your plan for the rest of the season?

“I’m at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom this weekend, then it’s Rally Bohemia in Czech Republic in July. Following an engine and gearbox rebuild the plan is to return to the IRC on Barum Czech Rally Zlín at the end of August.”