The local Matthews Cancer Research Rally Team finished the 1999 Daihatsu Challenge on a high. They came 5th in class in the Colin Macrae Stages in Lanark, their best ever result this year.

Co-driver, Mike Nuttall from Rochdale had to make a very tough decision. He has had no voice for over a month due to an illness, which meant calling the bends was impossible. He elected former Scottish Champion, Tom Hynd from Aberdeen to sit in his seat. "Tom was a great find. He got us out of a fix and his 20 years' experience really gave our team a boost. This shows what we can do. It's a brilliant result."

Tom said, "I really felt for Mike. It was sad he couldn't compete on the last event. John was flying. But we were lucky to finish. On the 20 mile Stage 2 we ended up in a ditch. Incredibly John kept the power on and we drove 200 yards at 60 mph, 2 wheels in thick mud, with rocks and tree stumps inches from John's face.".

Driver John Matthews from Saddleworth said, "It was God's ditch. He was on our side. That ditch was lined with fairy dust. How we didn't wreck the car is a miracle. 3 other cars ended up firmly stuck in the same ditch. The rear axle was badly damaged. This made the car twitchy and very difficult to handle. But the car kept going until the end." John added, "We've had a brilliant year and learnt a lot."

"Thanks to all our sponsors and partners, in particular to my dad's firm, Raymond Matthews Quality Foods the butchers, who have been amazingly generous. As well as finishing a respectable 11th place in their first year's rallying in the Daihatsu Challenge, the team have so far raised over £1500 for their chosen charity The Cancer Research Campaign. The team hope to contest in the same challenge in 2000.

ENDS

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