FORMER Welsh rally champion Martyn Walby together with fellow South Herefordian Paul Willetts did their first event in six years on last weekend’s Cooper Tires Rally Revival based in Wrexham in the immaculate Ashmores, RJ Matthews Transport Calico Interiors.co.uk, backed 300bhp Crowley Motorsport Escort RS1800.

The combines asphalt tests, some of which were used on the Lombard RAC rallies, with a target section used on the RAC in the 1950s.

Friday night’s leg saw the first car leave the ceremonial start in Wrexham for two tests around Rednal Kart Track and a long targa section over World’s End near Llangollen in darkness for the 100 plus crews in some beautiful machinery.

After delays at the Kart Track the duo had a high speed 360 spin at the first corner of the first run due to cold tyres and brakes.

By the second run was no issue and they were soon on their way to World’s End which lived up to its name with tricky navigation to catch out those unwary.

Willetts said: “It’s been a long night, that World’s End road is something else, if you go over the edge there the place lives up to its name.

“It’s fast until the last section then very tight, narrow and bumpy with lots of blind crests including two water splashes.

“It’s got everything in there 20 miles of hell, but all good.”

Saturday offered another 10 asphalt tests including the RAC Rally favourite Weston Park near Telford multiple times plus tests at Sleighford Hartshall before the finish outside Glyndwr Doors at Wrexham University.

The only issue the duo incurred was catching slower cars on the Weston Park tests in their faultless car.

“ Last night was a bit messy long delays, today been great fun some of them tests you were pulling over 100 mph so it gets the adrenaline pumping, added Willetts.

“Martyn drove very well as usual, lots of sideways lots of fun, he was sweating so you can tell how hard he was trying.”

The duo are hoping to do Rallye Salamandre in Belgium next March in the car.