Ross duo, Roger Matthews and Mike Jode, took top local honours on the recent Severn Valley Historic Rally with an excellent tenth overall and first in class. The event was a round of MSA British and Welsh Historic series as well as HRCR challenge.

But the day didn't start well for the duo, with the RJ Matthews Transport Escort RS1600 developing fuel breather problems. This was traced to a blocked breather pipe at service. The afternoon was much better with the car back in tune, although starter motor problems on the final two tests caused concern.

Roger and Mike were relieved to see the finish at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells and delighted with their result. Their success means that they lead their class in the Welsh historic championship, their next outing will be the Harry Flatters Rally on Epynt.

In the HRCR challenge event reigning champions Eric Davis/Russell Joseph in the Dennis Motorsport Mini GT lost the intercom on stage 3 and the heater fell out on the next test, but they survived to finish second overall and first in class. Fellow Mini driver Nigel Dutson took fourth overall and third in class.