The Border Counties Rally, my first event with Paul Alexander, was always going to be challenging. Not only was I meeting and working with an established team, the passing away of their friend and regular co driver Mike Panes in the days leading up to the event greatly added to the pressure.

On the day of the rally, we worked well together in the car and the support team was excellent. Despite the turbo problems that were with us all day, the stage times were respectable, although leaving us questioning what might have been. The off on SS5 seriously affected our final result, but to be honest we were lucky to continue, we would not have come out of that ditch without the help of the spectators.

19th overall at the end of the event and 3rd in class, was a good result, but I am convinced that there is much more to come. I thoroughly enjoyed working with a team who were nothing but professional in their attitude to competing on the rally, but also knew how to relax when the event was over - I look forward to working with them all again soon.