REES VICTORIOUS FOR WYEDEAN CHARITY!
West Wales rally driver Dorian Rees tasted the victory champagne as he collected his first ever rally win on the Wyedean Forest Rally in a Subaru Impreza World Rally Car. Contesting the event to help raise money for the Cobalt Appeal Fund, a divisional office for Cancer Research, Rees' main objective for the rally was to achieve a finish.
The Llanybydder man, partnered by Forest of Dean resident, Paul Willetts was also contesting his first event at the wheel of a world rally car, having only conducted a minor test a week prior to the rally.
The 2004 Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally Production Champion started the day getting used to driving a right hand drive car after using his left hand drive Group N Impreza throughout 2004. Over the opening stages Rees found the early going extremely slippery in the car, despite that he set joint fastest time over the first short test at Chepstow Racecourse.
On the first forest test within the Forest of Dean the pair set a low seventh fastest time through the stage while getting used to the characteristics of the world rally car. On the three remaining stages before the lunch halt, the ACE Motorsport run Subaru was never outside of the top three places as Rees acclimatised to his new surroundings putting the pair in second place as they headed to the Chepstow lunch halt.
"Its unbelievable the difference between our Group N car and the World Rally Car, the power is there but your working the gears all the time in the world car as you accelerate. I'm still learning the car but we should be okay for this afternoon. The car is fun to drive and to be on the pace with such little experience in the car is personally rewarding."
After service Rees and Willetts were consistent in their performance taking fifth fastest on stages six and seven, then taking second fastest on the two remaining stages to record their first rally victory.
"Its been a very good day, I have tried out a world rally car, won the rally and all in the name of charity. When Paul approached me to drive the car, I was happy to help out and all I wanted to do was make sure we finished the rally. I had hoped to be inside the top ten was not sure of what to expect from the car or with Paul in the passenger seat. To win the rally is a definite bonus for me"Rees has still to decide what his plans will be for the rest of 2005, but it will depend on finding suitable backing for him to continue rallying."I would love to continue rallying but unless we negotiate a deal with major backing it will be unlikely for me to compete. I have been successful in everything I have done in rallying winning classes, championships and now this rally. Hopefully this result will aid my cause and someone may want to support us in 2005." Dorian and Paul would like to thank everyone who have donated or supported the activities with special thanks to Calico Interiors, Den Golding Construction, Dragon Racewear and ND Signs.
