Rally drivers are all too aware of the perils that line every stretch of the stages in which they compete.

Unlike the more sanitised environment of the race track, every competitive rally route features a selection of dry-stone walls, trees, telegraph poles, ditches and cliff faces.

And if, as a driver, you hit one of them, it’s generally going to hurt – at the very least.

But a new rally venue, due to open this weekend on the edge of the West Midands, has an unusual hazard to test the nerves of even the bravest of racers – dozens of munitions sheds.

There are no fewer than 72 of these brick-built structures in the woods behind Ditton Priors Trading Estate, in the shadow of Brown Clee, near Bridgnorth.

And with some being barely a foot away from the roadway, their presence will certainly serve to concentrate the mind of rally competitors on Sunday – particularly if conditions are wet.

Revival

After a gap of a few years, motor sport at the depot is being revived by Telford Auto Club. It is making considerable investment in the site at a time when many rally venues are disappearing from the scene.

Ditton Priors depot was constructed in 1941 and remains part of the Boyne Estate. It was originially a Royal Navy Armaments Depot – though few places in the UK are further from the seat than south Shropshire.

The depot’s 72 magazine buildings were accessed by miles of service roads and it also had a dedicated rail line.

The rail track closed in 1960 but the depot continued to be used by the Navy until 1965, and then by US forces until it closed in 1968.

Its legacy was a four-mile network of service roads running through both woods and open farmland which make it the ideal venue for a single location rally.

The Ditton complex was subsequently used for both motorsport and equestrian events but cars have not competed there for a number of years.

Stage rallying

Telford AC members decided to revive the venue as it was handily situated for a number of clubs in the region and would give members the opportunity to re-introduce stage rallying to Shropshire.

The club has already overseen a repair and improvement programme costing a five-figure sum.

Now it is ready to stage its first event – the Ditton Priors Stages Rally – which will provide some 40 miles of rally action over ten stages.

If all goes well, Telford will look for a partner club to help stage up to three rally events a year at the complex which would form a ‘King of Ditton’ challenge series.

While nothing has yet been confirmed, Telford’s neighbouring club, Wolverhampton and South Staffs, is expected to come on board.

‘King of Ditton’

If there’s a current ‘King of Ditton’ it’s probably Oliver Davies, who won the last rally to be held at the complex.

He drives a Escort Mk 2 fitted with a two and a half litre Cosworth engine, pushing out around 300hp, and it was quick enough for him to eclipse even those who had the benefit of four-wheel drive cars.

Oliver took me round some of the lanes at what seemed like break-neck speed but was closer to around 70 per cent of his race pace.

It may not have been quite at full throttle but the drive was still a uniquely visceral and addictive experience – and yes, I did flinch the first time we flashed past one of those munitions sheds.

He will be among the entrants for this weekend’s competition and is looking forward to pitting his skills against drivers from all over the country.

“The Escort is still a great car – provided I can get the power down,” he says.

All in all, Ditton Priors promises to be a proper test for both man and machine this weekend.

Apart from the munitions buildings the roads are twisty and slippery at this time of year due to leaf-fall.

The abundant vegetation makes sightlines awkward and there are lots of kerbs to steer clear of too.

But then if rally drivers wanted a smoother ride they’d be at a race track…

By Peter Carroll