CO-driver Will Rogers experienced mixed fortunes on the recent Pirelli Rally, the third round of the British Rally Championship.

Together with Matt Edwards the duo led the Production Cup going into the Carlisle based event in the Swift Group/D Mack backed Lancer Evo 9.

65 miles lay ahead in the notoriously difficult Kielder Forest, Europe’s biggest man-made forest. The fast narrow roads with plenty of blind crests and firebreaks lay in wait to catch out the unwary. Heavy snowfall on Friday morning had turned the forest into a winter wonderland, but thankfully rain arrived to wash most of it away.  

The first two stages went well although the duo suffered from set up issues, but any hope of a top finish went with a puncture on the Roughside stage which they had to stop and change, as not to risk damaging the oil cooler.

Sunday’s leg consisted of three long stages, went much better, after overnight changes transformed the car and they started to make in roads into the leaderboard eventually coming home 15th overall and first in class, increasing their Production Cup lead.

Ross-on-Wye-based Paul Morris co-drove Simon Tysoe to yet another class win on the Pirelli Historic Rally and eighth overall, in what was the second successive class victory on the Mintex MSA Historic Championship.

After a slow start on the opening two tests the duo upped their pace considerably on the final two stages to take the class victory.