Up and coming Navigator Will Rogers took on a double header this weekend – competing on both the Severn Valley Stages Rally and the Welsh Marches Mini Epynt Stages on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
It would however be a mixed weekend for Will as he and driver Geno Cook failed to even finish the first stage of the Severn Valley in the freshly rebuilt Suziki Ignis. “The engine expired after about 3 miles – it was a disheartening end to the day, especially after all the work the team put in to get the car built but we’ll hopefully be back out on the Quinton Stages”.
After such an early finish to the Severn Valley Stages, Will focused his mind on the all-tarmac Welsh Marches Mini Epynt Stages based on the notorious Epynt Military Ranges.
The tarmac stages of Epynt were dry on Sunday morning but rain threatened throughout the day as Will sat alongside Ford Escort driver, Glyn Cartwright. “It’s Glyns’ first time over Epynt and his first time running on notes so we’re in at the deep end really”.
The layout of the event meant Will could work with Glyn, improve his confidence on the crests and get him used to the route notes used on Epynt.
“Glyn’s been driving on Single Venues for some time and is used to having corners called for him from maps – but up here, with some big crests, some big jumps and lots of unsighted corners and undulations, the descriptive notes are necessary.
“It was plain to see his times improving as each stage was run twice over. He’d be easily 20 to 25 seconds up on each stage. It was great!”
Will and Glyn finished the event 49th Overall. Glyn has even promised to take Will back out over Epynt again in the future.
“He was very appreciative of the help and my knowledge of the notes. We’ll definitely be back over the ranges now he’s been bitten up the bug.”
“I’ll be back out with Geno Cook in the Ignis on the Nicky Grist Quinton Stages Rally, all being well”. Said Will. “It’s a shame we didn’t get to give the car a proper outing but the feedback we got during the first stage filled us with confidence about what this car can do!”
Will is sponsored by Herefordshire-based Joiners RP Joinery and FutureFurnitureGroup.com.