WITHINGTON based farmer Roger Chilman returned to competitive rallying with a new car taking a top-10 finish overall in the Forest of Dean.

Taking part in the Forresters Car Club Architectural Architect's Dixies Rally Challenge over 42 miles including 10 tests the county driver took some time to get used to his new 2.5 Escort RS from West Wales Rallying.

Having never competed in the Epynt Military Ranges before and with new co-driver Max Freeman the pair made a steady start and times improved during the day to finish 10th overall and third in class- just six seconds off 6th place.

"This was a massive learning curve today for me, a new car with a huge amount of power through two wheels and you need to learn the roads up here before you can push hard so that's a confidence thing," said Chilman.

"I have a new co-driver in Max, and I must say he was superb. By the end of the day our times were improving and the car is superb. My aim now is to do two or three more events up here to build up my knowledge of the place,it was an excellent event I really enjoyed it."

For Ken Davies and Alan Jones it was a change from their usual Volvo Amazon to the ex Bob Gibbons Mk2 Cortina GT. The KGD backed car never missed a beat to finish 39th overall & fifth in class.