Taunt has lucky escape after her rally car catches fire (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Taunt has lucky escape after her rally car catches fire

THE Globalexpense rally ream of Shelly Taunt and Julie Murphy had a lucky escape during last weekend's Rally Sunseeker in Bournemouth when their Subaru Impreza burst into flames just one mile from the end of the very last stage.

The Highworth duo started the event with two stages through Bournemouth's Town Gardens and a quick sprint along the sea front on Friday evening.

But once off the start-line, Taunt suffered with a lack of power on reaching 3000rpm.

The girls managed to finish both stages before returning to the service area where their mechanics tried desperately to find the cause.

Despite various components being either changed or tested, the crew still struggled to find power following the first nine stages on Saturday.

This was Shelly's and Julie's 13th outing in their Subaru - and it certainly proved an unlucky one for them.

Much time was lost throughout the day, and all the crew could do was try and catch up.

"The stages were excellent," declared Murphy "and we were really enjoyed ourselves, despite being at the back of the field. Although we had lost so much time, we kept soldiering on."

The car was eventually temporarily fixed and the girls were getting quite excited as they drew close to the finish.

And the crew approached the last stage of the rally, darkness had fallen and, with a last blast of three miles through Sommerly Park, the girls gave it their all.

But suddenly, and rather frighteningly flames appeared from under the bonnet and in a split-second the whole front end of the car was on fire.

Taunt came to an abrupt stop and instructed her co-driver to get out as quickly as possible as flames were entering the inside of the car.

Once Shelly had pressed the emergency extinguisher button, the flames were soon under control and both ladies happily escaped unhurt.

Although the car continued to burn for some six to seven minutes, luckily there was no major damage.

It transpired that the fault was down to a power-steering hose that had split, spreading fluid over a hot engine.

Other competitors stopped to offer assistance, but the gallant Highworth pair were able to carry with everything now under control.

The team are naturally upset as this is the first rally that they have retired from. The car, which is thankfully repairable, will be ready for the next event which is the Border Counties Rally in Scotland.

Shelly and Julie will be hoping for a clear run as they now need to gain much needed points.