As the sole representatives of the Fiat Rally Cup on the Manx International Rally, it is not surprising that took Shaun Woffinden and Inbal Edry took yet another victory in the series.

However, what was perhaps surprising was that they fended off the competition in the Formula 2000 category to take another important maximum points haul. It was particularly surprising because Shaun, Inbal and the Stilo were pitted against, amongst others, local driver Andrew Leece in a Renault Clio.

The F2000 category is open to showroom category and one-make series cars and despite all the contenders having similar power output, the Stilo carries a distinct weight disadvantage.  “In a one-make challenge, the weight is not important,” explained Woffinden, “but on the fast tarmac the lighter Clios are really quick.”

Leece set the early pace, leading the category until his engine expired after stage eleven. But it was a combination of speed and reliability that meant Woffinden and Edry picked up maximum points, champagne and put them tantalisingly close to a second successive title. Even with three rounds to go and twenty points for each win, the pair only need to finish the next round in Ulster to put them in an unassailable position. 

“The only notable moment was on stage nineteen,” grinned Woffinden at the finish, “On a hairpin left I put the power on coming out and understeered into a bank. No damage but a bit of a scare and lots of mud on the tyres which slowed us down.”