**RFC Season 2**

[tumbo]

*** FCT Press Release ***

After discussing the matter w/ the course clark and the FIA we feel that any further infringements will be dealt w/ appropriately and will be submitting a proposal to the FIA whereby a 2 strike policy is put in place, first strike having no repurcussions other than disqualification, second strike a loss of points and any future infringements instant withdrawl from the championship. While we sympathyse w/ mr Lapworth's position we stand by our comments and those of our drivers on the matter. We feel that the money and effort put into the championship is undermined by action such as these. We feel strongly about cheating and look at Lapworth's poor explanation as showing contempt for his fellow team principles

[wayno]

****PRESS RELEASE****
As an Australian I must say achieving a podium finish on snow is an unbelievable result. I am very happy to be playing my part here at FCT and finishing consistently. Team points are our major focus this year, and so far the team have done an unbelievable job in supplying Tumbo and myself with quick, reliable cars. I thank them all.
If I can continue to finish consistently then hopefully the drivers championship will take care of itself. I'm still working as hard as I can and just taking the season one rally at a time.
I was a little lost on set up here but my team mate helped me out a lot and is as much to congratulate for my result as anyone. Thanks again Tumbo.
Everyone at FCT is feeling great and we are very much looking forward to having a run on gravel. It is my preffered surface and the next round will hopefully bring big things to the staff, sponsors and fans of FCT!

[Lita]

**Driver Comments**
**Subaru
LITA ON DISQUALIFICATION
Whilst I am unhappy and frustrated about being disqualified-the dark cloud that has now appeared over Subaru is more disturbing.
David Lapworth (team boss) was both sincere and apologetic for the inconsistencies we had with the cars. The situation we experienced, which ultimately lead to our disqualification, was a learning curve and was by no means deliberate. Just look at what it has cost this team, not only points and a good result, but the morale of the team-especially of Mitch and I has taken a huge blow.
This moreover was not helped by the recent berrating of David; something I strongly feel was uncalled for.
We will look at this issue and not let it beat us-our goal from now is to get back on track and put this behind us-it's time to move forward. To our fans, I say have faith-the continued support is much appreciated.
Thankyou-LITA

[tumbo]

*** Scoop ***

In sharp contrast to the recent results of FCT on the international WRC stage, cameras snapped the scene at last weekend's first round of the Irish Championship showing promising privateer Andrew Nesbitt failing to come to grips with the new Xsara. Entered under the FCT banner Nesbitt was hoped to drive a third privateer Xsara in the tarmac events of the WRC. But FCT are said to be less than happy w/ their charge after he severely damaged his car, putting back progress on the new front struts FCT were hoping to test out in the second round of the Irish calender in anticipation of introducing them to the FCT cars for NZ.

[Rallying83]

Lets hope the car can be fixed before the next rally

[Rallying83]

**New Report**

Interesting pictures of Suzuki testing what appears to be a car intended for the RFC. Management said the tests were just merely that as nothing has yet been decided. Hopefully this is a team we may see in the future.

[Rallying83]

Across the Atlantic to sunny Mexico. Brought to you by Corona.

Another great rally saw all the teams finish with points. Mitch drove an excellent rally to bring his Subaru home in 1st place. A great result for him and the team who have had less than a great start this season. Spacedeck was the first to retire when he rolled his 206 on the stage. His roll cage was too badly damaged to be allowed to continue. Rallying83 was then the next driver to bite the dust. After setting some decent times, Rallying83 misjudged a corner and went into the scenery. He was unable to make it back on the road so retirement soon followed. Capeta now leads the championship with many close behind.

Mitch celebrates his win

Spacedeck rolls his Peugeot

Rallying83 gets a closer look at the scenery

[Rallying83]

First I would like to apologise to the team. After such highs in Sweden to such lows in Mexico. It was my fault as I was trying to get a good time on the last stage. My times weren't great so I was hoping for a really good time to boost my overall position. Luckily my teammate had a great showing and placed 2nd. My congratulations to Viviski!

[tumbo]

*** FCT Press Release ***

We are very disappointed in our showing in Mexico. Our manufacturer lead has been cut back to 5 points and another poor performance by Tumbo has seen him plummet to 5 points off the lead. We are quite happy w/ the pace of Wayno, he struggled on the first day after loosing oil pressure in his Xsara, a loose stone on the start line rupturing a pipe and destroying any chance of a strong finish.

Tumbo is under notice to increase his performances in coming events. He slide wide on stage 2 and badly damaged his steering, that he brought his car home at all is thanks to the tireless work of his mechanics. We are very disappointed after his blistering time on stage 1. We felt that the car was capable of taking its first win here and apologise to all our sponsers.

We would like to congratulate Mitubishi and Skoda for their 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

[tumbo]

*** Tumbo on Mexico ***

I can't apologise to the team enough, after setting a fantastic time through stage 1 to take the lead early I slid wide on a corner mid-way through the second day. I misheard a pace note and had the car too sideways to save the situation. As a result I bent the axle, lost a wheel and damaged the brakes on the front right of my car. That I continued after that stage is totally thanks to my mechanics. Unfortunately the damage was too severe and I continued to slide down the leaderboard just coming in the points.

I would like to reiterate the congratulations of the team, what marvelous performances from Mitsubishi and Skoda. Well deserving of their places on the podium

[rj]

FORD REVIEW OF MEXICO- RJ

" I would have liked to win this event again after winning it last season but the tasked proved too difficult with the car I had. I had a lot of understeer on the first day and from then on finding the perfect set-up was just a lost cause which is a disappointment because the initial set-up was basically the same we used last season. Nevertheless, we'll be looking forward to the next rally".

[Lita]

Subaru Press Release**
Team Boss David Lapworth:

Well, what a top result for Subaru after last week's unfortunate result.
The team pulled together well and put the past behind them-to be on top of that podium this weekend was simply fantastic.
To Mitch-what can I say? He drove an inspired rally and really gave it his all when the chips were down-On behalf of the whole team we say well done; you made us proud.
On the other hand, Lita's effort was plagued by niggling problems with the gearbox. And although her crew worked hard to try to iron out the wrinkles there, it was to no avail-it really set her back. Last place was not what we were looking for, but we now know we have some serious work to do to improve the car-it's a work in progress.
The shining star however is Mitch-and we are delighted with the attitude and determination that he has shown-maturity beyond his years.
A big thankyou to our fan's also, who showed their continued support by coming out in their droves-we look forward to the next rally.

[Lita]

Driver Comments:
Subaru

Congratulations to my team mate Mitch, what a great rally you drove. Under the spotlight of last week's disaster you stood strong and made this one your own. At no time I feel was the outcome really in doubt-you were far too good. Well done!
Of my own performance; it was quite unsatisfactory. The problems with the gearbox were consistent enough to hinder my charge up the field. And it was early on in the piece when we knew something was a miss-that's the most dissapointing aspect! We knew we had problems but we couldn't fix them.
Now we go away with homework-our objective is to get things right before the next rally.
LITA

[Capeta]

** Skoda (Capeta) - Mexico Review **

Round 3 of the RFC took place in Mexico. Skoda is very pleased with another podium from Capeta who finished 3rd and Amylyn taking 8th place. We are also pleased with the reliability and speed of both cars.

However, We at Skoda are confused why that points from Amylyn, who finished 8th in Sweden and here in Mexico, are not added to our tally in the Manufactures standings. Moreover, Amylyn should have 2 points in the Driver's standings.


"Good, good, the car was good and 3rd place is very good! And even better . . . the lead in the championship! There was absolutely no problems with the car this weekend. But I felt slow in some sections because my pacenotes were a little too cautious. Now leading the championship, we must continue to work hard if we are going to maintain it." - Capeta

[tumbo]

*** FCT Press Release ***

We have consulted our results sheet after the contentions of Skoda were raised and agree that Amyln should be sitting on 2 points with Skoda's manufacturer total at 18. We hope that this is rectified shortly once the FIA have considered the matter.

In other news privateer Andrew Nesbitt finished the second round of the Irish championship in 3rd place in his new OMV xsara. The car shipped in especially at the completion of Mexico was that of Tumbo.



FCT are hoping to debut their new rear wing and front struts in Portugal after the performance shown in Nesbitt's car was more than expected. While we are pleased with Nesbitt's podium we have put him on notice. We feel that our current drivers are not performing to the standards expected, save Wayno.