Local businessman Nigel Mummery is leading the Central Southern tarmac rally championship at the halfway stage of the year.

Nigel, who owns ABT Products in Ross, has always shown a keen interest in motorsport. But it is only in recent years that he has once again become actively involved in the sport. He had previously enjoyed some success in rallying, with a series of increasingly developed Escort Cosworths. At the end of last year he purchased a Ford Focus World rally Car. The car is one of only 5 right hand drive cars built by Ford for world championship rallying and was originally driven by their works drivers Markko Martin and Francois Duval on World Championship rounds.

Nigel has done five events in the car this year and has scored maximum championship points on three of the events. His best finish was 2nd overall in the rally that was held at the MOD tank training ground at Bovington in Somerset. His other events have included venues at Brands Hatch, Goodwood and Abingdon. He now leads the ACSMC championship with 132 points. Quick Motorsport have prepared the car and assisted with the servicing on each event.

Nigel plans to do another five events in the second half of the year and his next one is the Richard Burns Memorial Rally. This takes place next week-end and is a two day event at RAF Marham in Norfolk. Nigel is seeded 11th out of 130 starters.