by Geoff Mayes
Neville Jones overcame a slow start and an early puncture to put in one of the strongest performances of his rallying career when he finished fifth in class on last weekends Red Dragon Rally.
Jones, who only returned from holiday the night before the rally and only met his co-driver, Ryland James, for the first time mere hours before the start, did not get off on the best foot when he clipped a rock on the opening stage and punctured a front left tyre. This probably cost the Vulcan Fasteners backed pair a fair chunk of time, but fortunately the car was mechanically undamaged. The next two stages were uneventful but at mid day service Jones admitted to still being in the holiday mood.
A strong cup of coffee later and Jones was on fine form. Storming through the afternoon stages the Geoff Jones Motorsport run Subaru Impreza N10 pair improved their stage times on every single run and were more than happy to finish seventeenth overall and fifth in the production class.
“The morning wasn't so great,” he said. “We hit a rock that was lying in the racing line in the first stage and lost time with a puncture. I was also a bit too relaxed, having just got back from holiday. But a strong cup of coffee at service woke me up and the afternoon was fantastic. Full credit must go to the organisers for putting on a top notch rally.
“Ryland was great and we got on really well. He helped me dig a little deeper, and even bought me an ice cream in the afternoon for my efforts!”
Jones is contesting both the Pine Lodge Maps MSA Welsh National Rally Championship and BTRDA Rally Championship and will next be out in action on the Somerset Stages where he will be hoping for a similarly strong run.
![Neville Jones. Malcolm Wilson Rally. March 1 2008. [PIC CREDIT: Geoff Mayes Media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/412994.jpg)
