Phillip Allen with local co-driver Craig Drew started their build-up to the opening round of the European Rally championship with a solid seventh overall on last weekend’s Rallye la Nucia in the new Auto Assist & Glenn Allen Accident Repair Centre Toyota Yaris Rally 2 run by SRT, writes Paul Willetts.

The shakedown stage of the opening round of the Spanish Super Championship saw them suffer total wheel hub failure which was easily rectified.

They got off to an excellent start with the fastest time on stage two to hold a strong fourth.

They dropped back a little as darkness fell to hold 7th place overnight.

Saturday’s opening loop saw them drop to 9th after a poor tyre choice.

They also drove over 10kms with a misting windscreen but the final loop saw them climb back to 7th.

“We’re satisfied with that given the pace of these top Spanish drivers, said Craig.

This weekend's Rally North Wales sees,a host of local crews tackle the BTRDA and Pirelli Welsh National Championship opener

Leading the way is the Dennis Motorsport Mini GT of veterans Eric Davis and Russ Joseph.

In the main field, Bob Morgan together with Adrian Williams in the Winner Garage Skoda will be looking for Welsh championship points.

Geoff Phelps will have Lucy Wilding calling the notes in the Cherry Rock Farm Escort RS1800 in the absence of Colin Jenkins.

Dave Hopkins will have new co-driver Siobhan Pugh in the Hopgrove Construction Mk1 Escort.

Luke Watts will start his campaign in the Ian Watts & Son MG ZR with Matt Rogers back in the hot seat.

Cliffy Simmons teams up with Devonian Shaun Bolt in his historic spec Escort RS1800 for the first time .

The Welshpool based event offers 44 miles of some of best stages in Wales with a 125-car entry.