SEALED-SURFACE BATTLER STONE PLOTS ASPHALT TITLE BID
VW Polo main aims for silverware despite dipping out of Rali Ceredigion
Leading Asphalt Rally Championship contender John Stone will skip the next round of the championship, Rali Ceredigion, but still hopes to try and secure the title over the two following rounds.
With the final three events of the season coming in five weeks from early September, Stone has made a tactical decision to miss the Welsh event (September 3-4) before contesting the Three Shires (September 18) and the Chris Kelly Memorial (September 30-October 1).
“Because we are counting the best five scores from seven, we can start trying to improve on our weaker scores,” said Stone, who has scored on all four rounds to date in his VW Polo R5. “So, we’re giving Ceredigion a miss. It’s just a tactical move really. I’m knocking on a bit now and there are quite a lot of night stages on Ceredigion on stages I don’t know. Plus, there are a couple of the BRC lads that have also registered for the championship and they’ll be doing Ceredigion. So, there is less chance of a good score.
“That’s been the plan for quite a while now, so we’ll stick to it. More importantly, I can take my wife on holiday and be back in time for the
Isle of Man!”
Stone will also contest his local Promenade Stages Rally at New Brighton with his son Alex co-driving. It will be the 40th running of the popular event on September 9-10.
“It’s an event we really enjoy doing,” added Stone Sr.