CO-driver Jez Rogers has been busy flying the flag for Ludlow Castle Motor Club, tackling three events in as many weeks.

He began at the 60-mile tarmac Horiba d’Isis Stages at the Motor Industry Research Association complex near Nuneaton alongside driver Rob Lowe in his 2.5 litre MKII Escort.

Troublesome brakes and hitting a bollard did not help their cause and they finished 9th overall.

Next up was the Pirelli Rally based in Carlisle, the third round of the British Historic Rally Championship around the tough Kielder Forest. Also taking part were Church Stretton’s Phil Clarke, alongside Jason Pritchard in his MKII Escort, and Championship leader Nick Elliot in a similar MKII.

At the midway point, Elliot held a ten-second lead over Pritchard/Clarke with Rogers a further 26 seconds adrift in Simon Webster’s MKII Escort.

A late push by Pritchard/Clarke and a small overshoot by Elliot wasn’t enough to take the victory and the pair settled for second with Webster/Rogers in fifth. The latter then took part in a Clubman’s event the following day but were forced out with a broken half-shaft.

Several members tackled the Corinium Stages at Down Ampney Airfield near Cirencester and co-driver Andy Moss led the way alongside Chris Simmons in his Darrian T9 to take class honours and third overall. Jack Bowen and Trevor Morgan were also in a Darrian and finished 19th and fourth in class.

Diddlebury’s John Caine wheeled out his MKII Escort for the first time and, with James Bailey in the passenger seat, produced some excellent times as did John Howells and Tony Bounds in their Escort. There were retirements for Oliver Davies/Ben Innes (Escort), Roger Titley/Michele Petrie (BMW) and Ben Caine/John Caine (Nova) with the latter leading their class before suffering engine problems.

Ian Clare/Anthony Elkes took their Austin Mini to tackle the tricky Epynt stages on the Dixies Challenge and were rewarded with a class win and victory in the Mini Open Cup. They were also 30th overall. John Worthing/Jon Cadwallader were forced to retire their Escort Mexico.