by Geoff Mayes
Britain's Stuart Jones is ready to make a bit of WRC history on this weekend's Rally GB, when he becomes the first
FIA Production Car World Rally Championship registered driver to use one of the revolutionary new Super 2000 category cars.
Jones will contest his home event at the wheel of an MSD-developed MG Super 2000 Sport.
Although he will only get the chance to test the car at the official PWRC test a few days before the ceremonial start in Cardiff, he has run in the car previously.
Indeed it was his feedback and pace at this earlier test back in September that encouraged MSD principal David Whitehead to invite the Welshman onboard for the season finale.
"Stuart is a fine young driver with enormous potential," said Whitehead. "We are delighted to be working with him at Rally GB and look forward to a solid performance."
Rally GB sees Jones reach the end of his debut season in the PWRC, a season which represents a massive learning curve in the young driver's career.
However, following a strong run on the tarmac-based Rally Ireland recently, Jones, who is co-driven by Birmingham based Andy Bull, will be looking to end the year with a solid result.
"I am really excited to be using the MG Super 2000 Sport this weekend," he stated. "The car is still very much a development project but MSD have plenty of experience in this game.
"Wales Rally GB is the one event this year where I have previous experience and I'm hoping that it will help us end the season on a positive note."
Bull, who only recently linked up again with Jones, is also pretty upbeat, especially as they looked likely to finish in the top five in Ireland until gearbox gremlins on day 2 dropped them down the order.
"Rally Ireland was always going to be a tough rally, so just to finish was an achievement," Bull continued. "Stuart has developed a lot as a driver since I last sat alongside him and our times in Ireland showed he has the pace.
