Wyedean driving woe for Roland (From Stroud News and Journal)

Wyedean driving woe for Roland

CHALFORD Hill's Roland Jones retired with engine problems after only three stages on last Saturdays Forest of Dean based Wyedean rally, round one of the 2006 British Trails and Rally Drivers Association (BTRDA) Rally Series.

Jones, who finished third in class in last year's event, had to drive his yellow MG ZR 105 through the Serridge stage at a reduced pace to avoid any further engine damage.

He said: " My new 2006 car is fitted with a unique gearbox which allows both faster gear changes and faster acceleration. However, it does take some getting used to and on one of the down changes I over revved the engine, which in turn bent a valve.

" To continue would have destroyed the engine completely so I took the least expensive option and retired at the Beechenhurst service halt.

" It's a bitter disappointment to retire so early on your home event, especially for my co-driver, Cirencester Car Club Chairman Martin Saunders, who was deputising for Andy Wynn and has come close to winning the event outright several times."

Jones will be reunited with his usual co-driver, Bromsgrove's' Andy Wynn for the Malcolm Wilson Rally in the Lake District on March 11, where the duo finished third in class in 2005.