After the highs of 2nd in class on the Manx International Rally in July and 1st diesel home, the Ulster International on 22nd and 23rd August proved a lot more challenging.

During the first stage of the Ulster International Rally, travelling flat out in 5th gear, John’s car suffered a catastrophic brake failure whilst entering a 90 degree square right turn.

To scrub off speed, and turn the car sideways, John applied the handbrake. But with gravel in the junction this launched the car over the hedge and sideways into a telegraph pole. The estimated speed of impact was around 70mph. The telegraph pole broke into 3 pieces with the navigator’s side taking most of the impact. As the pole broke, it slammed into the roof on the driver’s side, causing further damage and smashing both driver’s and passenger’s front windows. Remarkably the car was still driving and John reckons the whole incident only cost them around 30 seconds. John and Dessie then completed 2 more stages before entering service in Armagh city centre.

A car was hurriedly dispatched from our Skoda garage in Randalstown to Armagh, with spare doors and windows. Our mechanics equipped with porta powers and sledge hammers, descended on the Fabia like flies and had us turned around in the 20 minutes allocated.

John and Dessie completed the whole rally and finished a very credible 3rd overall in class. Testament to how strong and reliable Skoda products are.

More importantly John was the first diesel powered car home, beating Fin McCaul, a regular British Championship contender in a BMW and Steve Graham in a Vauxhall Astra. This completed a hat trick for John and the Skoda Fabia with three 3rd places in a row in the last three Ulster Internationals.

Photograph shows the telegraph pole cut off at approximately 7 feet from the ground and the car after the event.

Well done John, glad you both got out unscathed.

Maybe the door-graphic should now read "MulhollandsLeap.com"?

Wow; I know the cage adds some strength, but that is one seriously tough wee car!

Congrats to all, especially to the augmented service crew!!

Oh and how about calling the corner "Mulholland's Leap"?

Another good result John

you were fortunate it happened on your home rally and able to use resources from your garage.

Excellent result.

Noticed your car in this months evo mag. Its was next to the swift one of their guys is rallying in the manx rally.

Hmmm , "Testament to the build quality" and "Catastrophic brake failure" :rubchin:.......

Probably a difference between build quality and serviceable parts...

Hmmm , "Testament to the build quality" and "Catastrophic brake failure" :rubchin:.......

I was thinking the same thing

Just aswell the telegraph pole was an old thing by the looks of it.

Hitting something a little more solid at that speed could've turned it into a nasty incident.

Good to hear you still got a good result too.

Why is it always the co-drivers side that has the imapct:rolleyes:

Congrats on a good reult, and definately a tough little car.

Is there a 3 door red Fabia now in Randalstown? Good job mine wasn't in the garage or i'd have been a bit suspicious after taking this!!!

Wow great to see how well it held up. Good to hear everyone was okay after it.

Good result. Good luck for the future with the car.

Hmmm , "Testament to the build quality" and "Catastrophic brake failure" :rubchin:.......

Anyone who's read about the servicing in NI in the review section wouldn't be a bit surprised.