Cotton Competition has been involved in rallying since 1985 and below is a brief summary of Steve and the team’s history of competing, preparation & support for some of the world’s top drivers
2010
A new season brought two new rally customers in the form of double Tour of Mull winner Andy Knight and James Ford, proud owner of the 2010 North West Stages winning Impreza. Simon Bowen’s 2005 car was upgraded to 2.5 Cosworth power, which helped take him to an excellent tenth place on the Pendragon Stages
2009
This year got off to an excellent start, Steve securing a deal to assist in the running of Nizar al-Shanfari’s N14 Impreza on the Middle East Rally Championship. New customer Simon Bowen also scored an excellent 17th overall on February’s North West Stages Rallly. Car sales took off at Brock with LADS Club’s administrator Dave joining the Cotcomp team.
2008
As well as continuing to develop the Ecutek engine mapping service, Steve and the team helped former employee Simon Moss to realise his dream of swapping from co-driver to driver. After a thorough Cotcomp veting, the Ebay bought Impreza managed three fautless finishes on three events Haggis also helped build a 2004 Impreza for a another local businessman, Simon Bowen, who plans to contest local and regional events in 2009.
2007
After taking over Gibson’s former Subaru dealership, road car customers increaded again, but work for the Japanese Syms team continued and Joe went to America to look after Australian Rally America hopeful Andrew Pinker’s 2007 Impreza STi. Steve also went racing with Mike Rimmer’s attempt at the ADAC 24 hour race at the Nürburgring.
2006
Rallying took a back seat this year as the road car business took off in spectacular style. Customer numbers increased and after a first successful performance LPG conversion, the focus was firmly on performance road cars. However Steve and the team did take on one more rally customer, local businessman Stephen Taylor
2005
On event support for Rob Taffs (GB) on selected UK BTRDA rallies – Subaru Impreza STi Gp N
Sub-contract work for Syms Rally Team Japan for Aki Teiskonen (Finland) and Hamed Al-Wahaibi (Oman) on Rally Great Britain & Rally Japan – Subaru Impreza 03 Gp N .
2004
On event support for Pat Richard on Rim of the World Rally (Los Angeles) and Pacific Forest Rally (Toronto) Subaru Impreza 03 Gp N
Sub-contract work to ADR Motorsport on Alistair Ginley’s WRC program (Greece, Turkey, Finland, Deutschland, Great Britain) Subaru Impreza S9 WRC 03 .
2003
On event support for Pat Richard in the Production Cup World Rally Championship (Sweden, Mexico, New Zealand, Argentina, Cyprus, Deutschland) – Subaru Impreza 03 Gp N wmv VIDEO
Sub-contract work to Subaru Rally Team Canada
Sub-contract work to ADR Motorsport for Alistair Ginley (GB) on Wales Rally Great Britain – Ford Focus WRC 01
2002
On event support and maintenance for Pat Richard (Canada) in Peugeot 206 Cup wmv VIDEO
Sub-contract work to Ford Junior WRC Team working on Francois Duval’s (France) Puma Super 1600 (Catalunya, Greece, Deutschland, San Remo, Great Britain)
2001
Built Peugeot 106 Cup car for runner up in 106 Super Cup, Garry Jennings (NI) and provided technical support throughout year
2000
Prepared and maintained Peugeot 106 Cup car for Teppo Vekka (Finnish Junior Rally Team) in 106 Super Cup
1999
Built and prepared Peugeot 106 Cup Car competing in inaugural Cup.
1998
Supplied and maintained Gp N3 Astra Sport on British Junior Championship events for:
Justin Northridge (Austrailia), Stephen Quine (IOM)
1997
Supplied and maintained Gp N3 Astra Sport on British Junior Championship events for:
Christer Abrahamsson (Swedish Junior Rally Team)
Marty Beckton (Australian Junior Rally Team)
Stephen Quine (IOM) with several class wins
1996
Supplied and maintained Gp N3 Astra Sport in British Junior Championship for Juuso Pykalisto (Finnish Junior Rally Team)
Supplied and maintained Gp N3 Astra Sport in Mintex National series for Stephen Quine (IOM)
1995
Steve Cotton became a Professional Rally Driving Instructor. Working with amongst others Left Foot Braking expert Pentti Airikkala
1994
Steve became Gp N3 Mobil 1 Top Gear British Rally Champion in a 16V Astra GTE, also finishing eighth in the overall classification
EARLIER
Steve Cotton’s rallying experience began in Mk 2 Escorts in 1985 at road rallying level. In 1987 he progressed to stage rallying with various class awards. This was also the year that he set up Steve Cotton Competition Services. In the early nineties Steve had success in the BTRDA Clubman championship in 1991 and Mintex national championship in 1992.
