Matt Edwards wins on Maps

Matt Edwards and Paul Morris took a convincing win on the weekends Malton Forest Stages in their Swift Group, Holton Homes and DMack TYres supported Mk2 Escort. The pair took fastest stage times on 5 of the 6 special stages in the Yorkshire forests on what was a shakedown outing before the Roger Albert Clark Rally at the end of the month which the pair hope to contest.

With a raft of replaced parts on their Geoff Jones Motorsport prepared Historic specification car, Edwards was keen to try out the car in anger in preparation for what is renowned as the biggest Historic Rally of the season in 4 weeks time; the 3-day RAC Rally, an event which specifically allows only the use of Ordnance Survey maps for negotiating the route rather than the now customary route notes, so Co-Driver Paul Morris was sharpening up in hoping of giving the crew the best chance of success come the end of November.

Finding improved traction from their Dmack tyres, the crew were able to pull out a 27 second lead over the first two stages, settling into a comfortable rythm, before a stall at a junction in the third’ hindered their progress. Stage winning pace was resumed for the remainder of the day to take victory in the Historic Category by 1m 16s to conclude a productive weekend.

“It has been great to get out in the car with no pressure for a change to try a few things with tyres and driving style, as well as for Paul to get back on the maps after a few years, so we are very pleased with our pace today” said Edwards of his performance.

“The car has run very well thanks to the efforts of Geoff Jones Motorsport this week, and this result gives us a little bit more leverage in the quest to find the budget for the ‘big one’ at the end of the month”

Edwards is looking for commercial partners to join the team ahead of the RAC Rally in an effort to also raise money for Children in Need. In an innovative scheme, Edwards has also pledged to personally donate £5 per ‘top 3’ stage time and £10 per ‘fastest’ stage time to the cause, but the challenge to make the event and cover costs is as big a part of the mountain to climb as is achieving success on this grueling rally;

“Its a big ask for us to get to the event at all given our ongoing financial constraints, but where there is a will there is a way, and to compete in aid of Children in Need is an added incentive to get to the start and achieve some top stage times to add to the tally,” explained the Welshman who racked up 11 ‘top’ 3 stage times on the 2013 event after a disappointing start to the rally in Dalby forest with an under bonnet fire.

Edwards official ‘BTDonate’ Fundraising page can be viewed at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/mer … c.facebook, whilst commercial partners should contact matt at merallysport@btinternet.com in the first instance, where promotional packages are available for as little as £100.

More information on the RAC rally can be found at http://www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org/