THE Channel Islands will be well represented at the Hills Ford Stages Rally, which features 60 competitive miles in “the Shires” of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire this weekend.
This closed road rally presents an opportunity for Roberts Garages Jersey Rally entrants to gain important seat time and represent the Channel Islands at national level, with results set to be closely scrutinised ahead of the Jersey Rally – in just a month’s time.
Heading the Jersey invasion is Sam Touzel, seeded at number five and partnered by Max Freeman, with whom he was third overall on Rali Ceredigion recently in his powerful 4WD Ford Fiesta Rally2.
Touzel is currently sixth overall in the Protyre Asphalt National Rally Championship going into this last round, impressing many in his debut season.
2023 Jersey Rally winner James Labey and English co-driver Sion Cunliffe start at number 16 in their similar Fiesta, hoping the mileage will prepare them well.
The local duo of Darryl Morris and Steve Gully (at 34) campaign their new Skoda Fabia R5 in their first team outing. Morris’s rally session with the Skoda started in Barbados earlier this summer in somewhat warmer weather.
The evergreen 1992 Jersey Rally winner, Jeremy Baudains, brings his powerful Ford Escort Mk II to the Shires for the first time, with English co-driver Fiona Crump guiding him, seeded at 38.
Guernseyman Dale Crowsley, frequently the fastest from the sister isle, returns to an event he enjoys with Jersey-winning co-driver Robbie Hannah alongside, seeded at 47 in another powerful Ford Escort 2.4L.
Jersey-born driver Ed Fossey, a former national class champion, returns to competitive rallying after a long season of professional studies.
At the wheel of the exciting Proton Millington, Welshman Gareth Parry co-drives for their first trip to the Shires, reflected in seeding at 51.
There are also set to be eight English or Welsh teams at the event who have also entered the Roberts Garages Jersey Rally – adding further interest in the build-up to one of Jersey’s leading sporting events.
Top seeds Mark Kelly and Will Atkins (Skoda Fabia R5) have high hopes for both events – Kelly having been a top finisher in Jersey previously.
Second overall may be a challenge for Richard Fishleigh in Jersey this year, but his seed of 48 for Hills Ford belies his skill at the wheel of his Ford Escort.
“Our” Welsh contingent includes John Morgan and Llinos Jones-Edwards – regular Jersey visitors – and Roger Holder with Karen Phelps.
The exciting “super 1400” Corsa of Simon Hunter with Howard Pridmore seek class honours in both events, Hunter having previously both driven and co-driven in Jersey.
