The Rally of Turkey, fourth run of the Production Car World Rally Championship, finds Natalie Barrett out of luck. The British OMV driver fell back to 17th place in the P-WRC ranking on the second day.
Troubles had already started at the end of day one when a defective centre- differential made continuing impossible. And bad luck didn`t let up on Saturday after Barratt been once more allowed to start thanks to the SupeRally system.
Rain as spoil sport
The faulty electronics of the centre-differential had been repaired on Friday evening already. This was necessary since the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII of the OMV World Rally Team had become unsteerable. Barrat: "The oversteering was horrible. Going fast had become impossible, especially on this rain-soaked gravel surface. That is why we decided to retire for the day and to draw on the SupeRally regulation. But the rally had been somewhat jinxed even before that.“
Turbo and gearbox replaced
On Saturday things didn`t lighten up – nor did activity let up at the service of the OMV World Rally Team. First the OMV driver reported power loss whereon the turbo was replaced. Before the final superstage on day two the gearbox was replaced as well – just in case. Barrat: "Suspicious noises could be heard during the whole afternoon. With gearbox troubles it is better to be safe than sorry.“
Gather valuable kilometres
The objective has been redefined since WRC points are now out of reach and only two special stages are left on Sunday. It has become paramount to finish the rally and gather valuable test-kilometres. Thus this run of the P-WRC could have at least a positive, if not happy ending.

Tags: natalie-barratt, omv, pcwrc,