Rodgers to Fiesta ST Trophy for debut season on gravel in ’17

Elspeth Rodgers will become the first female driver to enter the ST Trophy when she makes her gravel debut in 2017.

The 29-year-old has just concluded her first season of rallying, taking in singlevenue events in her Ford Ka.

Now the West Sussex driver is aiming to complete the full ST Trophy season with the BTRDA Mixed Surface championship.

“Next year is going to be a big learning curve,” said Rodgers. “Pacenotes, the car, gravel, it’s all new. Getting finishes under the belt and pushing more towards the end of the year is the plan. I was watching [the ST Trophy] this year and the top three or four were flying. That’s always good to be around as it helps to bring you on too.”

Rodgers is hoping to compete in the British and European championships in the future.

Organiser: Middlesex County AC & Thame MSC When: December 3/4 Where: Rockingham Motor Speedway Championships: Motorsport News Circuit rally Championship; Jelf Motorsport .com AEMC/ASEMC; RAFMSA; Gwynnespeed Rally Challenge; Middlesex Challenge Stages: 12 Starters: 86

Rhys Yates and Tom Woodburn were able to play to the crowd in their Ford Fiesta R5, as fastest time on all but one stage left them leading throughout and victorious by well over two minutes. But it was maximum points for Bruce Edwards/jim Smith’s Darriant9 GTR in the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship contest.

Tyre choice played a major part throughout the weekend and no more so than on the opening two stages.