Claire Mole has finished the year third overall in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship after a gruelling final round, Rally China which finished on Sunday.

Despite a broken bone in her wrist, driver Emma Gilmour powered her Motor Image Racing Team Subaru Impreza WRX STI to sixth place to give her the runner-spot in the series behind team-mate Cody Crocker.

Stepping into the co-drivers seat made vacant by the injured Rhianon Smyth mid-season, Claire has competed on just three APRC rounds this year. Together the pair has finished second, third and sixth on three of the most arduous rounds, Malaysia, Indonesia and China.

The pair got off to a good start on Saturday with a steady run over the opening stages.  By Sunday however, the weather conditions had deteriorated dramatically with thick fog and rain making conditions very tough.

A puncture on the opening stage of the morning slowed their progress and the car slipping off the jack, costing them six minutes, compounded the issue.  But it was the next stage that caused bigger problems for Emma and made their sixth place result an even bigger achievement.

A hole on the inside of a tight left-hand bend snatched the car badly, catching Emma’s thumb.  Later in service, the team doctor diagnosed a broken bone in her right wrist.

Nevertheless, the duo carried on into the final stages and despite being in obvious pain, Emma drove determinedly to take sixth place, second overall in the championship and earning Claire third place overall.

“Rally China is a very challenging and physically demanding rally with its extremely narrow roads, numerous steep hairpins, huge drops and thick fog, “said Claire.  “But it was a challenge that once again Emma and I rose to with again fantastic support from our Motor Image boys.

“It’s a great result for them to take first and second in the APRC and I’m delighted to have been a part of that success.  I have really enjoyed the three rallies we’ve done together, it’s been a fantastic experience.” www.girlracer.co.uk

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