20-year-old Welshpool resident James Watkins, on only his second ever gravel rally, took a fine class podium position at the wheel of his Makefast of Newtown and Rally Marketing of Welshpool supported Nissan Micra on last weekends Newtown based Mid Wales Stages.
Watkins, who was co-driven by fellow Welshpool resident Chris Evans, immediately felt comfortable on gravel and, as his confidence grew, so his times improved. The only drama was when the Micra picked up a puncture near the end of the fourth stage, the famous Myherin test, but they soldiered on and finished the stage on the flat tyre. The final stage of the rally was through the Sweet Lamb complex and Watkins admitted to pushing really hard, keeping the little Micra flat over all the crests and water splashes and returned to the finish with a massive grin on his face! His final result of twentieth overall and second in class is all the more impressive when you consider that his 1 litre Nissan was running in the same class as far more powerful 1400cc cars!
“Today was great fun,” said Watkins. “Chris was brilliant and really helped with my confidence on gravel. The stages were in brilliant condition and Sweet Lamb was definitely the most fun I have ever had in a rally car. I have to say an enormous thank you to both Rally Marketing and Makefast for helping me do this rally, and to the organisers Newtown and district Motor Club for putting on a perfect rally.”
For more information about the Newtown and district Motor Club please visit www.newtown-mc.co.uk
– Credit: Geoff Mayes Media.