Stephen, with Paul Willetts calling the notes, was not daunted by the snowy conditions that faced him after the area experienced exceptionally high snow fall in the days leading up to the BTRDA season opener and was just eager to put a difficult 2006 well and truly behind him.

A top 10 overall time through the opening stage bode well for the SGP Motorsport run Mitsubishi and Stephen then backed this up with another top time on the next stage to move into an early production class lead. Despite the conditions in stage 3, Serridge, being some of the worst of the rally, with up to 6 inches of snow in places, Stephen hustled his Mitsubishi around 10th quickest to end the stage in fifth position overall and leading Group N.

A spin in Stage 4 cost Stephen some time but he still returned to service lying seventh overall and very happy with the morning.

A delighted Stephen said: “Full credit to my service crew – a brilliant choice of tyres for that loop of stages, just a pity I chucked some of my advantage away with a spin in Speechhouse. I think my power steering is going because she is struggling to turn in a bit now.”

The last couple of stages saw ‘Petchie’ struggle as the hydraulics began to play up but the young man did a sterling job to drive around the problem and continued to set a string of top 10 times throughout the afternoon, eventually finishing fourth overall!

The satisfied Durham driver said: “What a rally. A very big thank you must go to Paul for keeping us on the road because it was so tricky in there.”

He added: On behalf on the entire SGP Motorsport team I’d also like to express our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of David Williamson, who was killed in a crash during the rally.”

Stephen now has a two week break before the Sunseeker Rallye, the opening round of the 2007 Evo Challenge

Stephen, who finished 2nd overall in the 2006 Mitsubishi Evo Cup is hoping that a full year of experience in the state of the art Mitsubishi will hold him in good stead as he aims to challenge for overall honours in the 2007 championship. The prize for the winner is a full funded season in the works Mitsubishi Team contesting the British Rally Championship.

Despite a number of top stage times in 2006 the County Durham based rally driver endured a mixed season and is hoping that a complete rebuild of the car over the winter will help him shrug off the gremlins that dogged him through 2006.

“The Mitsubishi is one of the best cars I have ever driven and I’m really looking forward to getting back out in it on the Wyedean. Although Michael, my normal co-driver won’t be sitting alongside me for this event I’m sure that Paul Willetts, who is standing in for him, will be more than capable of calling the notes.” said Stephen.
The 2007 running of the Get Connected Wyedean Forest Rally sees the cars depart from Chepstow Racecourse from 8am on Saturday 10th of February before tackling such famous RAC stages of old as Serridge, Speech House and Sallowvallets before returning for the ceremonial finish back at Chepstow Racecourse at around 2:30pm.

Visit the Wyedean Rally for more information.