This event for me goes back to February of this year when after the de-brief on the Wyedean I was talking to Damian Cole who said so how about doing Neath Valley Stages with me (thinking yeah right is he joking or serious) Martin practically answered for me saying yeah she will without me even opening my mouth (makes a change)!! .

Now bearing in mind that Neath Valley Stages was a new event and at the time I wasn't even sure if it was definitely running and didn't think much about it apart from every time I bumped into Mr Cole he would remind me..

Then about a month before the event I had a phone call of Damian saying it would be good if you come up to a test session (which means in DC terms you will come) so it was arranged that Craig Drew would pick me up which is Damian's permanent Navigator and we would meet up at DC House (now up to this point I presumed that DC had told Craig about Neath but little did I know) oh no DC had only told Craig the day before the test Nice one Mr Cole.. (but he did enjoy trying to wind me and Craig up)
Anyway up at Phil Price Rally school we met up with the lads who run Damian's car off DC went around the course a few times getting the car set up to his satisfaction then Craig went round with him and also made some notes up for me to use as a practice.. As I sat watching I thought oh my god I am really going to this.

They came back and then it was my turn I sat in the car a lot different to what I have been in . Helmets, seatbelts tight as I can go and then off we went ...Now Damian's notes are his own system so it was something else for me to get use to but after a few laps I was getting to grips with it (still a lot to learn though).. Anyway testing over and back home I told Martin about my day even though I was up at 6am I did enjoy the brief ride in the car (which is far from the journey up there and back in DC Car) where's the sick bag !!!

Damian had notes and DVD arrive so I get a message saying that I would need to meet at his office to go through notes etc, which I did on the Wednesday before the event

Once we had completed all stages I made my way home and thinking its really happening I am going to sit with Damian Cole in a WRC Wow!!!

As the event approaches closer I get the chance to go with DC and the team to John Lloyd's Corporate Day at Sweet Lamb which was to be held on the Friday before the rally where Damian was going to be taking John's clients around along with a few other rally drivers .. and a good opportunity for me to go in the car again.. It was a good day and gave me chance to get more to grips with my notes and the speed of the car, weather wasn't too bad but rain came in later on...

When the corporate day has finished we head back to DC place and then I set off and make my way to Walters Arena where there are quite a few of us staying overnight I was meeting Angela on way down and there she was waiting on the roundabout at Abergavenny and she then set about following me until we got to Walters and met up with Martin (husband) and my son Luke who was so excited about the Rally as his number 1 driver was doing the event and sorry Damian however many pictures you send my little boy there is no swaying him he is Andrew Burton through and through he even had a go at me because Damian and I were Car 1 and Andrew was 2 all he kept telling everyone is that Burton Number 1 and that he wanted him to win (thanks for your support son!!)
We go grab some tea and then set caravan up and then go over and talk to a few others who were staying Nigel Griffiths, Andrew Bowen, Michelle and all the Burton Family.. Luke had kindly gave him from Damian a massive picture of Andrew Burton Which he wanted him to sign so we give Andrew a pen and he kindly signs the print which makes Luke's day grin from ear to ear (and Damien you have now been moved and replaced with Andrew Burton on his bedroom ceiling and are now moved to other side of room).. while the Burton Party gets under way and only one CD to play all night we settled down and lights off it was time for sleep..

Saturday It was 7.00am and a lot of noise was going on around the caravan when I have a peep out the rally cars are starting to arrive to prepare for Scrutineering which was being held on the morning of the rally DC car goes through I meet up with him and then we go to signing on all done and then we wait to start the event I was feeling very nervous but once I got in the car I couldn't wait to get going our start time was 10.30am and as we waited at the start I had my dad and a few others wish me well the 1st stage was around Walters Arena and was approx 3.52miles long we pull up at arrival control get time then helmets on belts tightened and then up to the start and watch my clock then

5,4,3,2,1 go and we were off well I took a bit to get into the notes but we soon arrived at the finish collected our time and made our way to SS2 Rhonda again

5,4,3,2,1 go about halfway through we had a spin which nearly could of been a bigger issue if DC hadn't managed to control the car and well talk about resting on the edge which is what the car was doing over a drop after a few shunts backwards and forwards we set off but lost nearly 30seconds which was very annoying for us both.
When we came out of that stage John Lloyd who was now running behind us as Andrew Burton had Retired on way to SS2 had also overshot a hairpin and stalled costing him time but not as much as us next was SS3 Resolven then it was back to Service I wasn't having a brilliant morning, sometimes I was behind or in front with notes so at service I had a breather a little talk with Phil Roach and Pauline Guillick who was brilliant to me all day.

Off we set after service for SS4 and going into this stage 7th o/a I thought come on we can do better than that SS4 was Walters Arena but reversed then onto SS5 and SS6 a repeat of SS2 & 3 then back for last stage SS7 Walters Arena again 5 & 6 went much better and we had even set some fastest times so going into last stage we were up to 3rd o/a with only a few seconds separating us and 2nd o/a John & Pauline.

5,4,3,2,1 off we went determined to give it all I had, Damian's driving was unreal and when we got to finish it was like that was unreal Damian really pushed has hard as he could, we managed to set the fastest time but not quite enough to take 2nd o/a but hey I was pleased with 3rd o/a .

I decided after the event to go and watch as being first car back there were still a lot of cars left to complete the last stage and a few of my friends competing as well, so I took dad's truck ha ha and went and watched. It was quite a good day for the forests competitors with everyone finishing felt sorry for Nigel who was winning his class until big off on SS5 hard luck Nigel but you still finished and not last in your class.
And well Mr Bowen not a lot to say I have been told Drivers error but say no more on that especially as I am sitting next to him on the Woodpecker.

So overall a good day rallying again for me another trophy to add to my collection. I would just like to thank Damian for all his time and help leading up to the rally and on the day great driving and a truly memorable rally for me. There is some footage on You Tube SS7 Walters 3 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aHTKj2n7Ebg

Next event Woodpecker Stages 2007 with Andrew Bowen (and hopefully some in-car footage this time) !!