. . to British Rally Championship for 2006

Midlands rally driver Phil McVay is set to contest rallying at the highest level in the UK this year, spurred on by an impressive drive on the Rallye Sunseeker.

The 30 year old from Wolverhampton together with Knighton co-driver Nick Cadwallader stormed to an impressive fourth in class on the south coast gravel event.

Matching times of more experienced competitors, Phil said he was delighted to finish 12th overall..

"I'm still getting to grips with the Subaru Impreza and four wheel drive so to be this competitive is a great confidence boost ahead of the British Rally Championship,'' he said.

Phil only began rally driving last year but has been totally bitten by the bug. As a lifelong motorsport fan he was a motocross rider for 15 years but started competing on four wheels in the Hankook 205 Challenge last year.

He progressed to a four wheel driver Subaru for Wales Rally GB last September and is set to continue with the Japanese machinery this year for an assault on the British Rally Championship.

"I know this season is going to be tough but to record such a good result on Rallye Sunseeker has really inspired us to register for the British Rally Championship and the hunt is now on for companies to support our efforts,'' he said.

"The car performed faultlessly, we completed a useful test on the Maxsport Tyres and we are now raring to get started as regular contenders at the highest level.''

Phil and Nick's first BRC outing will be in May when the championship kicks off in Carlisle with the Pirelli Rally.