James made short work of the long stages in
the Dyfi and Gartheiniog forests. Seeded just behind Miles
Johnson in a Peugeot 206, Wozie soon caught and passed the French
machine on the opening stage, and both Wozencroft and Fagg
continued to set a blistering pace until the very end of the
rally. Such was Wozie's pace in the Ignis, he was able to
directly compare times with the 'Formula 2000' front runners on
the International Rally of Wales (running on the same stages), and
the flying Suzuki was leading the more powerful 2 litre contingent
on the stages - an impressive feat for the 1400cc machine.
Delighted to take victory - his fourth class
victory of a highly successful 2005 season so far - James was
already looking to the future:
'It was a great performance for the whole
team today. We knew that the car was good, and that if we kept
out of trouble, we would be right up there. To win is a great
feeling, and its the best possible way to start the year. The
clutch problem was a minor glitch, but we were able to nurse the
car to the end whilst keeping up a good pace, so it all worked out
very well. Its also great for Suzuki, Thompson's Garages and
Dunlop for us to have started in this manner, and its up to us to
continue the good form at the next round now'.
Wozencroft's next 'Stars of the Future'
outing will be in the world renowned 'Killer' Kielder forests on
the Scottish border. As part of the largest man made forest in
Europe, the Kielder stages offer some of the highest speed tests
in the UK. Steep ditches on the outside of corners mean there is
no room for error either, so both James and Robert will need to be
on the top of their games to conquer the Pirelli National Rally
event.
