RALLY MATTHEWS WINS FIRST TROPHY OF THE SEASON

Local rally set up the Rochdale Exchange Cancer Research Rally team won the First Novice trophy, their first prize of the season on the fifth round of the Pioneer Daihatsu Rally Challenge at the weekend.

The team came fourth against the clock in Colin McRae's very own rally in Lanarkshire, Scotland, only to be placed fifth in class due to a technicality.

Local driver John Matthews said 'It's about time we won some tin. We have been trying hard enough! This is a very competitive series believe me!

Ian Sandiford, the Rochdale fine art dealer, bought a full set of tyres for the event. Ian said 'I wanted to help John reach his potential and he said he needed tyres'.

As soon as John arrived home he took the prize to Ian who put the trophy in his shop window. 'John was chuffed to bits. So was I.'

'I keep saying this, but this was our finest rally to date. The McRae was our best rally last year and we have improved this time. We are driving better and better and the trophy proves it.

Co-driver Alexis Harper said 'John drove brilliantly. At the end of stage two, Castle O'Er, we both knew we had a good time without looking at the clock. We were flying, the tiny rocks on the surface made it like driving on marbles. We were power sliding on every bend.

'And there's more to come. When John practices more he will go much faster. His driving is rock solid - he just needs more hours behind the wheel on the loose before an event and he is on to that'

Mark Taylor, the Pioneer Daihatsu Challenge coordinator said 'John had a superb drive. He is a very determined guy and he deserves this trophy.'

John and Alexis both received their prize from Jimmy McRae, father of the famous former World Rally Champion Colin. 'It was great to meet the man. When I was a kid he was my hero. Jimmy was a legend long before Colin was out of shorts'.

The team's next rally is the Woodpecker Stages, Wales, in September. John will be available for rally tuition from the Autumn.

For further information call John on 07970 361 840 or Margaret on 01706 655 726.

Contact John

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