ADAM GOULD'S Rally Scotland ended in disappointment with an engine failure after stage four, leaving the local driver a somewhat forlorn figure, writes Paul Willetts.

The Thornbury ace had been chosen to drive the BF Goodrich Team Drivers Peugeot 207 Super 2000 car on the final Intercontinental Rally Championship Round of 2009.

Gould’s team-mate for the three-day event was none other than the new IRC champion Kris Meeke, in a similar Peugeot 207.

After a test that was cut short due to engine problems the up and coming youngster was still confident of a good result on the event. The three-day event offered 205km of some of Scotland’s toughest forests. The heavy rain had made conditions really tricky during the rally. Thursday’s opening leg consisted of two stages around Scone Palace.

Gould settled in well in difficult conditions to lie third after leg one. Friday offered just five special stages, totalling 93km, including the famous names of Craigvinean and Drummond Hill. Heavy rain made conditions treacherous, but again Gould made a confident start on the opening test A spin on stage four cost 20 seconds, dropping Gould back to fifth heading to the days first service at Blair Castle.

Everything was fine in service but as the Peugeot 207 left the water temp light came on, and the electric water pump failed, resulting in the engine giving up the ghost and it was game over.

“This was one big chance ruined through no fault of mine,” said Gould “I am gutted, it was an awesome experience to work with Kronos Racing Championship winning team and the car was fantastic to drive.

Super 2000 is where I want to be, it’s really whetted my appetite for more, if only I can find a sponsor that can see the massive benefits from all this live TV coverage on these sort of events.

“It was a super event, well worthy of IRC status.”