Jones and Butler Encouraged by Wyedean Test
Having decided to use the Wyedean Forest Rally as a test rally ahead of their Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge 2005 campaign, reigning Peugeot 206 Super Cup and Welsh National Champion Stuart Jones along with co-driver, Ross Butler were brimming confidence as they crossed the finish line. The British Young Guns taking second place in the Group N Production Class but also claiming sixth overall on the British Trials and Rally Drivers Association Championship qualifier on Saturday 12th February.
The nineteen year old driver and his twenty-three year old co-driver started the day by setting joint fastest time on the opening test in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, then setting fifth fastest time on the first forestry test of the rally put the pair in fourth place overall.
A misheard double cautioned bump resulted in a damaged turbo pipe and despite a massive loss of power the pair still maintained fourth place at the end of the stage.Two stages remained before the defective pipe could be replaced which saw Jones and Butler in eighth place as they entered service.
Leaving service with the offending item replaced, the new driver/ co-driver and car combination worked in perfect harmony to set their second fastest time of the day, just under two seconds a mile quicker than their nearest Group N rivals in just over six miles of special stage six. This moved the Silverstone Tyre shod Mitsubishi up three places and into fifth place.
"We had a really good feeling in there, we were pushing hard and it worked extremely well. I just seemed to be reading the route notes constantly with little breathing space as we seemed to have a very good pace on that one." commented Butler.
"We seemed to hit a rhythm on the first bend and carried it throughout the stage and it was certainly the fastest I have ever driven through a stage." enthused Jones.
Another good time in stage seven and another position claimed, going into stage eight sat comfortable in fourth place.
The Welshpool driver and Burgess Hill co-driver were pushing hard through stage eight until they were forced to stop due to an accident ahead of them involving another competitor. The stage was then stopped with the pair given a notional time for stage eight which effectively dropped them from fourth to fifth overall at the finish in Chepstow.
"We are extremely pleased with our result today. We had come here to get some additional test mileage ahead of our championship campaign and to finish fifth overall and second in our class and with the turbo pipe problem over two stages."
The Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge 2005 get underway in Bournemouth with the Rallye Sunseeker on 25th/26th February. The Jones/ Butler partnership are confident they can start the campaign in fine form
"We have completed two rallies with good results and have been the front running Mitsubishi, so we are confident we can lead the series. Ross has fitted in well and proved to me how good he is at his job on stage six and I hope I proved to him likewise. The car is working well and I have loads of confidence with it, so the season looks challenging for us."
Stuart and Ross were supported on the Wyedean Forest Rally by Vodka Kick, Silverstone Tyres, La Source, Mick Jones Timber, PIAA and CRW Concept Design.
