REIGNING BTRDA 1400 Champion,

Darren Pinchen and his local codriver

Karen Watts, had a very difficult

time at the recent Get Connected

Wyedean Forest Rally, the opening

round of both BTRDA and MSA

English Championships.

With all seven special stages covered

in snow and polished ice, and

running as the first car on the road, it

was always going to be difficult. Silverstone

tyres do not produce an ice

and snow tyre, so the opening test in

Sallowvallets was just sheet ice for

the duo.

A spin in Stage 2 cost even more

time, so they decided just to drive for

a finish to score what ever Championship

points they could.

They spun three times on the final

stage, which Darren put down to pure

frustration, but their Proton Satria finished

83rd, and overall 9th in class.

Darren said: "The three spins on

the last stage were all my own fault,

just sheer frustration, we had no grip

all day. For Karen it was her first

Wyedean finish at the fourth attempt

and it was not the best rally.

"I am so disappointed, we just

could not find any suitable tyre combination

that would work, but we

have scored some points that may

come in at the end of the year. I am

grateful to all my sponsors."

Karen said: "I just hope the next

round is clear of snow I think I'll put

this one down to experience."