LLANGORSE-based garage proprietor Craig Jones is changing up a gear with a new rally car for 2018.

His previous Mitsubishi EVO 4 has been exchanged for a more up to date Evolution 9 version of the four wheel drive, high performance saloon. Having achieved a number of good results in the old car, his hopes are high of achieving some top results this year. This Sunday, April 29, will see Craig Jones and his co-driver, Haverfordwest haematology doctor Mike Bartlett, tackle the Dixies Challenge Rally on Mynidd Eppynt.

The event organisers, Forresters Car Club and Forest of Dean Motor Club, have 11 special stages planned on the challenging tarmac tracks of the military ranges near Sennybridge.

The rally is a round of The Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Championship, The WAMC Hirefit King of Epynt Challenge, The HRCR Mintex Historic Stage Rally Championship, The Mini Sport Mini Cup and the, WAMC Junior Challenge.

Craig Jones and Dr Mike Bartlett hope to settle into a good pace in the freshly built orange car and will aim for a top ten finish. Craig is looking forward to getting some miles under his belt in the new car with a view to concluding the 2018 season with an attempt on the UK round of the World Rally Championship, The Wales Rally GB in early October. Craig has worked hard to get to this point in his driving with the support of his family and says that none of these plans would be possible without the generous assistance of a handful of local businesses.

The enthusiastic main sponsor for this year is Jay Jays Military Supplies- manufacturers of specialist MTP webbing & load carriage equipment, based at Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate, Brecon, plus Craig has additional support from Rob Hughes Steel Fabrication & Fixing Ltd and Glanusk Services of Sennybridge. Also lending a hand is the Red Lion Llangorse and HMS Scaffolding. Craig’s own business and staff at CMJ Motors also deserves a mention as many hours at weekends and in the evenings have been sacrificed to ensure the new car is in tip top condition for the stages ahead.