Parkland backdrop for Midland rally

The beautiful parkland setting of Weston Park was the backdrop to West Midlands-based Owen Motoring Club's major annual event - the AGBO Stages Rally 2008.

Pictured above is Owen MC member Russell Hale in his Renault Clio R3. The best finish from an Owen club driver was from Kevin Robinson, who with Roger Tristram as his co-driver, came 13th with a time of 32.42 minutes. nextpage

The rally, which forms the opening round of the Web Benefit Heart of England Rally Championships, is restricted to two-wheel drive cars and aimed at club drivers.nextpage

Pictured: Sponsor Michael Young, driver Garry Preston, co-driver John Lloyd, and Kathryn Woodward, of Model Car World.

Some 70 crews from the Midlands and Wales turned out for the rally, sponsored by Lichfield-based Model Car World, on the four and a half miles of tarmac roads within the grounds of historic Weston Park, near Stafford.nextpage

Driver Ian Woodward, of Owen MC, in his Ford Escort Mk2.nextpage

Driver Adam Crowton, from Owen Motoring Club, in his Ford Fiesta enjoying the historic setting of Weston Park

nextpage Ron Aiken, of Cannock, at the wheel of his Ford Escort. The rally was dominated by Welsh teams in Ford Escorts who took the top two places, with Huw James recording a time of 30.48 minutes over ten stages.

Details on Owen Motoring Club are available from competition secretary Bob Cotterell on 0121 351 6625.