Released on: April 30, 2008, 8:33 am

Press Release Author: Turbo Dynamics

Industry: Automotive

Press Release Summary: Having successfully secured sponsorship from leading
turbocharger specialists, Turbo Dynamics and then winning the 'Highest Place Novice
Crew' award at Rallye Sunseeker this year, Hants Fire & Rescue Rally Team (HFRRT)
have pushed themselves further by competing at the Betta - Somerset Stages Rally.


Press Release Body: The Somerset Stages, which took place near Minehead last
weekend, saw the team ease their way into the rally in car 88, taking it steady and
getting average stage times. Retained Firefighter and team driver, Mark Daniels
said, "Everything was going well; the car felt good and was riding the bumps well.
We finished the first three Gravel stages and went to the Service Area knowing that
we were well placed in the Championship."

Stages four and five, taking place in Porlock, were on tarmac and incorporated three
miles of up-hill roads with drops of up to 100ft, 60 corners and 10 hairpin bends!
One of the more trying parts of the rally, several cars came out of the running
during these stages. However, HFRRT not only managed to stay in one piece but gained
respectable times for both of the stages. Unfortunately for the team though, without
realising they had booked in too early at the Time Control Point and consequently,
received a five minute road penalty.

Back at the Butlins Service Area in Minehead, not knowing about the penalty, the
team's hopes were high. Their VF34 turbocharged Subaru Impreza received a quick
change of tyres and then they were off tackling the next seven Gravel stages.
Daniels commented, "We through caution to the wind! Running right up the front in
the championship we started to chase down Duncan Waite, getting closer and closer to
his stage times. We were being chased by various competitors for the championship
and we were going to take the maximum points!"

Another dangerous stretch of the rally though, HFRRT's competitors, Neil Harrold and
Dennis Sanford in Car 37 ended up barrel-rolling down the hill after a desperate bid
to get more Championship points. A regretful Daniels explained that if everyone had
known about the time penalty they'd received, their competitors wouldn't have
competed so hard and the accident might have been avoided. He continued, "It was
close rallying and very fast with 90° right and left-hand corners. There were big
drops off the road into thin air; very spectacular and very scary. We were fully
committed all the way though and I'm glad to say we finished with no offs, at all."

It was not until the results from the different stages started to come in that HFRRT
realised they'd received the road penalty for arriving early at a Time Control Point
and along with some of the other teams - 15 teams in all received penalties for
arriving early - an appeal was launched. Unfortunately for the teams involved
though, it was confirmed on Wednesday morning that the penalties would not be
dropped. Therefore meaning HFRRT currently have an estimated position of 5th or 6th
within the championship (the official results are yet to be announced).

Turbo Dynamics Marketing Manager, Natasha Miller said, "It is a great shame about
the road penalty and I can imagine all of the teams who received the deduction in
points feel rather hard-done-by.

"HFRRT performed brilliantly during the rally and I have no doubt that they would
have been within the top three in the championship had this not happened. They are
however, wonderful sports and have already said they'll be back fighting harder than
ever at the Essex Stages and Abingdon Rally."

Team sponsors, Turbo Dynamics also had a presence at Butlins in Minehead - the Rally
Service Area and HQ - with banner stands, flags and one of their TD gazebos.

Web Site: http://www.turbodynamics.co.uk

Contact Details: Contact: Natasha Miller
Address: 20-21 Somerford Business Park, Wilverley Rd, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 3RU
Tel.: 01202 487497