Good start for Wiltshire rally drivers (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Good start for Wiltshire rally drivers

THE GlobalExpense Rally Team, comprising Highworth's Shelly Taunt and co-driver Julie Murphy, got their rally season off to a flyer when they finishing equal-25th fastest on the opening stage of the Wyedean Rally.

The event saw an entry of 180 crews from all over the country.

With the duo having a long winter break, it was what they needed to boost their confidence for the start of the season.

The Wyedean is the first round of the popular BTRDA Rally Championship.

It is also the first round of the English Challenge.

The pair are up against strong opposition and with the first event over they can now concentrate on the rest of the season.

Murphy said: "We are really pleased with our result. We were both really nervous at the start but soon settled in. The stages in the morning were really slippery and we struggled for grip.

"Despite having 4WD, we still managed to overshoot on some of the tight hairpins and this dropped us back down the field but we improved in the afternoon and I know that we can go a lot quicker. Shelly just needs a bit more time in the car."

Their Silverstone Rally School, Guest & Fiore Bricklayers, ASF, X-cite, (silkolene), Questmead, Rapid Hire and Minilite-backed Subaru Impreza finished 58th O/A and 18th in Class after eight tricky stages, with the last two running in the dark due to a delay earlier in the day.

The pair are now preparing for their next event later this month.

For more information about the team visit www.shellytaunt.com