Podium finish - Wyedean Rally (From Stroud News and Journal)

Podium finish - Wyedean Rally

CHALFORD HILL'S Roland Jones scored a third in class result in last Saturday's Wyedean Rally, based in Chepstow.

The event was round one of the BTRDA (British Trials & Rally Driver's Association) 2005 Forest Rally Championship.

Roland, driving a MG Sport & Racing supported MG ZR 1.4 and co-driven by Bromsgrove's Andy Wynn, overcame severe handling problems in the early stages to move from fifth to third over the course of the event.

It was Roland's third attempt at the event, having finished fourth and sixth in class in the last two years. Andy, who has competed at world championship level and scored numerous class wins, including the 1995 RAC Rally, also celebrated his first finish in fifteen attempts at the Wyedean.

"We knew instantly the MG ZR was a much faster package than the VW Polo that we drove last year; it is a 'racer' that needs to be driven with great commitment," said Roland.

"On the long straights found on the Wyedean, the rear of the car was very unstable.

"With the suspension difficulties and some minor brake problems we lost over a minute to the leaders on the eight mile Serridge stage, which effectively ended our challenge for the number one slot. We'd decided to use the event as a learning experience and had targeted third place as an achievable result."

The duo secured the works supported drive following some strong results in 2004 and Roland's third place championship result in 2003. Jon Goff, principal at the successful Shropshire based Rallyschool.co.uk team supports Jones and Wynn on events, with technical assistance from the MG X Power Sport & Racing factory.