After the recent victory on the TSH Stages, Jamie Vaughan continued his run of success with 4th overall 3rd in class on last weekend’s Emcos organised Red Dragon IT Stages held in beautiful sunshine at the old airfield at Down Ampney.

75 miles were on offer for the 76 starters, which included competitors in the Mini Sport Mini Cup. 

Vaughan, who co drove for Taunton electrical contractor Michael Walton, on his first visit to the venue, in his new 2.5 Millington Escort RS1800, the MJW Electrical backed car never missed a beat, apart from a broken exhaust manifold on stage one costing 50 seconds.

“I loved it, it’s my first time here and only the second event in the new car, it’s also only my 8th ever rally, although I was watching rallies in the West Country since the age of 10, so when I got to 50 I decided I’m going to go rallying, the car never missed a beat, thanks to Jamie and my service boys, time to celebrate with a beer now.” laughed Walton 

Another crew in the silverware were veteran campaigners, Eric Davis and Russ Joseph in the Dennis Motorsport Mini GT, finishing 29th overall and 2nd in class, despite hitting a huge bump on stage 3, and being held up badly on stage 5.

Father and daughter team, Paul and Jemma Taylor, put in another solid performance, after a trouble free run to 39th and 5th in class in their Mini Cooper.

Sadly for Mini Cup front runner, Ryan Taylor and Hollie Churchill, after holding a solid 2nd place in the Mini Cup after stage 5, just 9 seconds off leader John Cressey, his pace then slowed after Hollie felt unwell, but going into the penultimate stage still holding 2nd Mini, sadly overheating issues stopped his progress any further.

Bob Morgan and Ade Williams were shaking down a new immaculate Lancer Evo 9, after a steady start which included a heart stopping tank slapping moment at over 100mph, the duo held 6th, but third fastest on stage 2, things looked promising sadly a severe misfire on stage 4 brought retirement, and they adjourned to sample Ade’s coffee selection.

After a titanic battle the Subaru of Harry Gardner and Ed Graham took a narrow victory from the V8 Escort of Simon Mansell and Melo La Rosa, on a very slick well run event.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.