27 Mar Essex rally driver Tejpar endures tough time on the tar at Sierra Morena
British Rally driver Nabila Tejpar struggled to take her British Rally Championship pace to Spain last weekend, as she contested round two of the Peugeot Rally Cup Iberica, Rallye Sierra Morena (22/23 March).
Tejpar, 25 from Maldon in Essex was able to secure her first Junior British Rally Championship points of the season in Ireland just over a week ago after finishing eighth in the category at the West Cork Rally in Clonakilty.
Just days after, she would head to Spain to contest the single-make series but was disappointed by her result which highlighted “plenty of things to improve on” in time for her next outing in her own Peugeot 208 R2. Tejpar and co-driver Max Freeman finished in 15th spot and outside of the Iberica Cup points.
Tejpar has endured mixed fortunes so far this season, crashing out of her first rally of the year in Wales, she bounced back with a finish the following weekend on the gravel of Fafe in Portugal. Thanks to her dual Iberica Cup and British Championship campaign, she has enjoyed considerable seat time of late which she believes helped her secure her best result of the season in Ireland as she made the switch back to asphalt.
However last weekend, despite her best efforts, Tejpar could not find a comfortable rhythm in the arduous Spanish roads, finding herself well down on the leaders and disappointed with her performance over the two-day event. After 12 stages and over 180 kilometres of competitive driving, she was pleased to make it to the end but less than happy with her result.
“I’m pretty despondent at the result to be honest and it’s a real change of attitude after last weekend,” she said.
