Sweet September End for Jones
It started on the first weekend in September with the Woodpecker Rally, the following weekend a journey to Scotland and the Park Systems Stages, five days later the British round of the World Rally Championship(WRC), Wales Rally of Great Britain and to end it all, the Plains Rally. This is just one month in the life of Stuart Jones.
Despite failing to finish the Woodpecker, the Welshpool rally driver has had a tremendous month. Having claimed third overall in Scotland and upsetting the regulars in the Production World Rally Championship, by placing his self prepared Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII inside the top five of the competitive class on his first visit into the World Championship arena.
Originally the twenty year old had planned to contest the Plains Rally in his Proton Satria on Saturday 24th September. However, as the Mitsubishi had ran faultlessly on its WRC debut, Jones decided a last minute switch would also keep his father, Mick Jones, in check. Mick was also competing on the pairs home event, but to give Jones senior a fighting chance, Jones junior only preparation for the rally would be a quick clean following its Rally GB excursion.
Stuart's regular passenger, Craig Parry was competing abroad and therefore Jones enlisted the competent ability of Birmingham co-driver, Andy Bull, for the duration. The pair previously competed together on the same rally twelve months earlier.
Six stages within the Mid Wales forests of Dyfi, Dyfnant Gartheiniog and Pantpethog lay in store as Jones/ Bull opened their account over the first test, six seconds slower than Jones senior with Andy Morgan alongside.
As the one off partnership settled into their pace, Jones/ Bull cleared stage two in Dyfi nine seconds quicker and giving Jones junior a three second gap. Father and Son set equal times over stage three in Pantperthog.Although, Stuart extending the margin by another eight seconds through Gartheiniog. Over the final two stages, Stuart and Andy emerged victors in the "Battle of the Jones" by a lead of thirty two seconds.
"It has been a good day, we only entered for some fun with Dad as this is the nearest rally to home for us, so we had to do it. We have had no real drama today and with the stages so smooth, we haven't even changed the tyres."
Stuart's relaxed approach was also enforced by his co-driver.
"I thoroughly enjoyed today. We were not pushing too hard, but we just had to make sure we beat Mick and Andy."
Stuart and Andy Bull finished fourth overall, with father Mick and Andy Morgan just one place further back in fifth.
Stuart now turns his attention to the final round of the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge 2005, the Bulldog Rally on Saturday 22nd October. Stuart and Craig Parry will start as pre event favourites on the Oswestry based rally, having won four of the five gravel events completed so far this year.
"We have to win, but even if we do its down to others to decide the winner. Even so it will be an interesting battle."
Stuart and Craig are supported in 2005 by VK Vodka Kick, Silverstone Tyres, J.T. Hughes Group Mitsubishi, Rallytech, Mick Jones Timber, R&D Transmissions, Broadoak, Toora, Anglo American Fuels and Scotprint.
