Local co-driver, Paul Morris, teamed up with former Motoring News road rally star, Roger Moran, in his brand new Moran Motorhomes backed BMW M3 for the opening round of the Fushs RAC Asphalt Championship, Bovington Stages, held at the tank proving ground.

Bournemouth Car Club attracted a full entry for the two day event, and 60 competitive miles.

Day one saw the duo have a trouble free run in the new car to hold 16th overall and 1st in class overnight.

But heavy overnight rain made things interesting for the 280 bhp German machine, with full wet tyres on all day, but the duo climbed the leaderboard to finish 12th overall and a class win.

"It’s been a good weekend, Roger drove very well today in the wet conditions. Thanks to my dad for servicing, incidentally he co-drove for Roger on road rallies 35 years ago," said Morris

This weekend will see the Ross based co-driver team up with regular driver Damian Cole, in the Fiesta WRC for the Tour of Epynt with 70 miles of the military ranges on offer for the 90 crews.

Ross Motor Club Chairman, Tom Baker, was also out competing on the weekend, co-driving for Barry Quibell, on Brecon Motor Club’s Gremlin Road Rally in their historic spec mk1 Escort RS2000

The event, which formed part of the ultra competitive Welsh Road Rally championship and attracted a full 75 car entry, offered 120 miles of tight narrow slippery lanes. The duo started well, having a fairly uneventful first half up to the petrol halt in Sennybridge.

But the second half is where it started to fall apart, they slid off on a treacherous section into a field and were stuck fast. Thankfully a local farmer arrived with a tractor and pulled them free, but the resulting time loss saw them have to cut their route. Their adventures didn’t end there, with a trip into a hedge later in the event, which cost them a further time loss, so they were glad to see the finish and the warmth of Brecon Golf Club. They were classified 35th overall and 13th in class.