Well who would of thought after teaming up with someone for the 1st time and the quickest car that I have been in to date that I would be coming home with the Overall winners trophy.

But yes its true on Saturday I teamed up with Andrew Bowen in his Escort G3 2.3ltr RWD for the first time so wasn't quite sure what I was going to expect.

Mind you with all the weather problems we have had I was wondering if anyone was going to get to the event. I left on Friday from home following my dad down (Phil Turley) as he was running course car on the event, I had rang Andrew to say that I was leaving which was about 4.30pm and he replied by saying that hopefully they should be away by 5.00pm.
Scruitineering was finishing at 7.00 so I thought to myself well I hope he does as Andrew was travelling from Leominster. Dad and I stopped off for a coffee when he had a phone call saying that Phil Jones couldn't make the event on Saturday to go with Dad due to work commitments so it was quick think of someone to replace Phil. well it didn't long and I was on the phone to Martin (quick sort the kids out for Saturday you are needed to go with Dad).

Myself and Dad arrived at Swansea HQ The Village Hotel down by the Docks at 6.45 and still no sign of Andrew he had rang me on way down to say he had been held up with all the weather problems causing mayhem on the roads. I went into HQ and sign on myself and asked what was happening as my driver couldn’t make the 7.00pm deadline but it was no surprise to hear that we weren't on our own so they had extended Scruitineering and Signing-on by an extra hour Phew!!!
I let Andrew know and waited for him to arrive.

The next thing for me was to sort out our seeding (as we were a late entry we were currently at the back of the field) so after speaking to the officials we were slotted in as 3rd car on the road with Dave Brick and Grant Rees in front of us. Andrew finally arrived at 7.40pm and got through Scruitineering and then signed on. I followed them back to the Trailer Park and then we put some stickers on the car (mainly my sponsors which I thank Andrew for letting me do). We were booked in for the night at the Pen 'yr' allt inn, Pontardawe just about 9miles away.
I followed Andrew and Tiny so then at least it wasn't my fault if we got lost (well won't say too much but saw some nice views going up and down the M4 twice Ha! Ha!) But finally we arrived at our B + B and got settled in.
I had brought my laptop so that we could go through the notes and dvd together as we had only received our paperwork on the Friday morning and Notes on the Wednesday.
Finally after going through everything then amending my notes it was nearly 1.30am before I got too sleep while the other two were fast asleep (but I suppose thats the joy of being a co-driver).

Saturday The morning was here and off we set with Andrew in the Rally car, Tiny was making his way up to service to meet Martin and Carol (our service crew) and I was following in my car to leave it at the Village Hotel for the day. The start was from a car park not far from the Hotel. Now I had only sat in the car once to test my helmet when I pop up on Thursday and to leave my overalls and helmet with Andrew so as I got in the car and we made our way to the start I must admit I was feeling a bit nervous. We pull up at the start and still have 15mins to go as before we are due to leave, now I didn’t know many people in this group but it didn't take long for me to get talking to them, (oh no what’s this I am greeted with someone who only a couple weeks ago had been flashing at me on the quinton yes it was Mark the moonie man thankfully with clothes on as he was co-driving as well).

As we left the Start to make our way to the first stage being Rheola I saw Cliffy Simmons waving at me he was also competing with someone in a BMW. We arrive at Rheola to find out that their is a bit of a hold up, but eventually we get started I watch Brick and Rees go off the Start line and then it is our turn I think come on girl you can do it.

5,4,3,2,1 GO !!!!!!!!!! Well we took off from start line and it was certainly different to anything that I have been in before, it was taking me a bit to get into notes either I was a bit in front or behind but we got to the finish with the oil pressure light on, which didn't look a good sign and I thought no not the end already as even though I had struggled on the 1st stage I had really enjoyed it we had management after SS1 so the lads and Andrew looked at the car, as SS2 had been cancelled it was straight into Service so Andrew decided that we could get there and then hopefully sort the problem, we booked straight in at Service.

Everyone set about working on the car, obviously I was a little disappointed not getting to grips straight away but was looking forward to the rest of day now I knew what to expect. They fixed the problem which was to do with Low oil pressure, check tyres and cleaned the car and then we had over half hour still to go before we were due back out and head for SS3 Margam. Paul Willetts came over and had a chat with me, and then before I knew it we were off and going towards Margam, again another hold up, I thought are we ever gonna get going, then hooray!!!!!!!!! we are getting ready to start

5,4,3,2,1 Go !!!!!!!!!1 we are off now in this stage is the famous tarmac jump well all I remember Andrew saying is hold on and we took off in the air with me letting out a squeal of laughter as were in the air and I was getting on much better with the notes and connecting with Andrew better we reach the finish both smiling with a sense of delight and really enjoying the stage, management again then SS4 Rhondda again a slight hold up but not too long and off we go again

5,4,3,2,1 Go!!!!!!!!!! As we go approach a SQR we have some Spectators telling us to keep out as we go around the bend there is Dave Brick somehow had managed to go into a ditch on the inside, again a really good stage and really enjoyed it but a little sad that we just had one stage left SS5 Resolven which was shortened due to a landslide. At Management we haven't got long till we are due at the next stage and just as we are leaving Dave Brick pulls in so we make our way to the Stage and book in at arrival and start and then make our way through the stage until we get to the main start

5,4,3,2,1 Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!And we are off we are going really well until (oh no we are off but somehow Andrew manages to keep car on the track phew!!) It could of easily been a big off but we go through the finish and I let out a squeal of delight just pleased to have another finish under my belt not knowing at this stage how well we had actually done.
When we arrive back at our last management before heading back to Swansea for the Finish we see that Dave Brick had retired and was also told that Grant had been having problems as well but didn't know if he was still in or not if Grant was still in then we were 2nd Overall Wow!! My best result to date.

We had a 29.37 road section back to the Finish I had a very big smile on my face as I had enjoyed the day so much and it was such a shame it was all over.
As we approach the Finish I can see my Dad and my husband Martin with a few other familiar faces and as we pull up we are told that we are 2nd Overall and that they are awaiting Grant Rees (now we had heard that Grant was seen before passage control with the car jacked up so as time was running out for him to get back I did wonder would we get 1st Overall) We had got our time at MC4 and made our way up to the Hotel to park up and get a well deserved drink, but then off goes my phone to say Grant Rees was OTL and we were the Winners and could we make our way back for the champagne finish.
Well I screamed out loud found Andrew and we got back down to the finish and had our Champagne Finish and all I can say on this note is that I had a very good party in Swansea on Saturday Night with loads of other rally people and will truly be a day that I won't forget for a while.

I would like to thank Andrew for letting me sit in with him especially as he has had a lot of experience co-drivers sat with him (didn't feel too much pressure !!) Martin, Tiny and Carol (service crew) who were fantastic all day, all of Andrew's and my sponsors for their support. Thank you to Nigel and Angela who brought Luke down to watch the rally and to see his mum, that made my day and last but not least a little bird tells me that my dad is very proud of my result on Saturday and it was nice to have him and Martin at the Finish to see my Champagne Finale.

To find more about Andrew Bowen check out his website www.piczo.com/AndrewBowenRallying

Rally pics from my good friend Chris Huish.
Check out his website at www.chrishuishrallyphotos.com for more pictures.