LEESE BREAKS LEG IN CRASH

Jack Leese has suffered a broken leg after a high-speed accident on the Plains Rally earlier this month when his Peugeot 208 R2 rolled out of contention.

Leese and co-driver Michael Gilbey had been fighting for BTRDA R2 Rallye Cup honours and were leading when the car’s rear wheel dropped down a bank in a quick right-hander on SS3 in Gartheiniog, sending the car rolling into trees.

Leese was taken to the Royal Stoke University hospital and had his femur pinned. Gilbey didn’t suffer any major injuries, although Leese was resting on Gilbey’s head for over an hour as the car remained on its side and Leese had undone his belts.

“It felt like we were rolling forever,” said Gilbey, who credited the rescue team and the crew of car six – Ian Joel and Graeme Wood, who had earlier gone off on the next corner on from the 208.

“Ian and Graeme especially were magnificent. They kept Jack stable until the professionals turned up, and it was Ian himself who stood in the road to stop the next available car and get them to radio our incident in.”

A statement from the BTRDA added: “Both Jack and Michael, and their families, extend their most heartfelt thanks to Ian Joel and Graeme Wood and other crews who were on the scene, marshals, rescue crew, doctors and the Welsh Air Ambulance for their swift and professional response on Saturday. Without their excellent work, the outcome may well have been less positive.

“The crew also wish to thank everyone who got in touch with well wishes following the accident, and look forward to catching up with everyone on an event some time in the near future.”

Gilbey suffered another big crash on Saturday’s Night Owl road rally, his home event. He and driver Andy Davies were uninjured after leaving the road in their Subaru Impreza, which appears repairable.