Highworth's rallying ladies score a maximum in Somerset (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Highworth's rallying ladies score a maximum in Somerset

SHELLY Taunt and co-driver Julie Murphy, from Highworth, scored another maximum on the Somerset Stages at the weekend.

The all-female crew entered the rally alongside another 149 competitors and finished a creditable 50th overall.

The hot scorching sun on the coast of Minehead saw spectators flock to the event and with temperatures on the outside of the car in the 20s the heat was also on, on the inside of the car.

The crew, seeded at 78, stormed into the 50s after the first ten-mile gravel stage and, with dry conditions, the girls had kept to their steady pace throughout the morning.

After two stages on the steep uphill of Porlock Toll Road, it was into the service area for a quick tyre change and then off to Exmoor forest where another five stages were covered on fast and twisty gravel tracks.

As the pair were raising their game on a seven-mile stage, the power steering suddenly failed on the Subaru Impreza, and Shelly had to drive what felt like a tank for the remaining three stages before the next service.

Nonetheless, she hung on to the steering wheel as she tackled acute hairpins which prove difficult enough when the power steering is actually working.

The situation worsened when the alternator belt snapped and rapped itself around the power- steering pulley wheel.

Shelly, who admitted that it was really hard work, said: "We still had a few stages to do before service and there was no way I was going to retire.

"I've always been taught that if the car is still driveable then keep going, and that is what we did."

"It was great fun, despite losing the steering, and as usual as we pulled into service the mechanics were there waiting with a new belt and a new pulley.

"It is amazing what you can fix in ten minutes. Our mechanics are well trained and experienced enough to repair jobs in a short time and, thanks to them, we were able to carry on."

Shelly has again scored maximum points in the BTRDA Ladies' Championship by being the first overall female driver.

Julie is steadily climbing up the points board in the co-drivers section but, as other crews have completed all the events in the Championship, the girls have a long way to go to catch up as they missed the first two rounds.

Murphy explained, "I am really enjoying myself; I didn't realise how difficult it is being a co-driver, it's such a challenge.

"Everyone assumes that it's the driver doing all the work, but it's a team effort and I'm extremely happy to be part of it.

"I'm learning something new all the time. The speeds are incredible: it's a lot harder than it looks.

I feel I've learnt a lot, certainly on how a car handles and it makes me feel a much more confident driver when I'm driving my own car."

Those wanting to have a go at rally driving should log on to www.silverstonerally.co.uk and for more information on the girls log onto www.shellytaunt.com

The team's next event is the Red Dragon Rally which starts and finishes in Swansea on May 22.