Welshpool based Zimbabwean Geoff Mayes has recently concluded a deal to return to competitive driving on this weekends Neath Valley Stages, an event which will mark only his second ever rally as a driver.

Geoff, who runs his own freelance Motorsport P.R. company, made his rally driving debut back in February, and despite rolling his borrowed rally car still managed to finish second in class, and by doing so raised over £2000 for charity.

This weekends rally will see Mayes team up with local co-driver Tony Derrick, from Cross Hands, in the very same Geoff Jones Motorsport-run Nissan Micra that Geoff has used in the past.

Mayes is aware of the necessity to have a good co-driver on board, having recently made his own co-driving debut, and despite enjoying the experience, has admitted he prefers being behind the wheel.

“I recently made my co-driving debut on the Coracle Stages where we finished third in class. I had a lot of fun but still prefer driving, but knowing how important it is to have a good co-driver, Tony was right at the top of my list,” he noted. “I don't have any targets for this, my second ever rally as a driver, apart from finishing with the car in one piece!

“I must thank everyone who has assisted me with this adventure, Geoff Jones for allowing me to use the Micra again, Richard Egger Insurance, Vulcan Fasteners, Carr and Griffiths, R.A. Mouldings, GRH Foods, Richard Owen, my chief mechanic and of course, Tony for agreeing to sit alongside me!”

The Neath Valley Stages begins from Walters Arena, near Neath, at 10am on Saturday August 16. The event, which ran for the first time in 2007, features some of the best rallying stages in South Wales, and includes tests that will be included on Wales Rally GB, such as Rheola, Resolven and the spectator friendly Walters Arena.