Stone to enter Harry Flatters after 12 years

John Stone will compete on the Harry Flatters Rally for the first time since 2004 when he takes part on the Tarmac event on July 31 in a rare Ford Fiesta.

Powered by a 2.5-litre Millington engine, the car has proved relatively reliable since Stone purchased it from Roger Moran. The rally on July 31 is a chance to perfect the set-up.

“Usually the rally falls on my daughter’s birthday but it’s the day after this year,” explained Stone of the Epynt event. “Also it gives us the chance to try harder suspension. We want to have a play with the springs. We’re taking more mechanics than we would normally do so we can swap some spring rates through the day.”

Stone is also hoping to give the car its gravel debut on the Grizedale Stages in November.

“We did Grizedale on the Malcolm Wilson this year and I really enjoyed it,” added Stone. “It was all smooth and flat so what could possibly go wrong? It’s all off-the-shelf parts, the S2000 gravel kit. The only thing we’re short of is dampers now.”