Damian Cole is looking to extend his lead in the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship when he contests tomorrow’s Carryduff Forklift Down Rally in his Get Connected/Energizer-backed Ford Fiesta WRC. The six time champion has an excellent chance to extend his current 17 point lead in the series, as arch rival and defending champion Jason Pritchard is unable to contest the event, as he’s at home awaiting the arrival of a new addition to the family. Having scored maximum points last time out in Belgium, Cole is on top form and after much work seems to have the car working to his liking. The Abergavenny ace will be co-driven by Paul Spooner. Defending British Rally Champion Matt Edwards is contesting the event in his Ford Fiesta R5 as practice for the forthcoming Ulster Rally. The Llandudno driver will be partnered by Paul Morris.

James Williams will make his European Rally Championship debut this weekend when the 21-year old Newcastle Emlyn driver contests the Rally di Roma Capitale. The trip to Italy comes courtesy of Williams winning his class on the recent Ypres Rally, a round of the British Rally Championship. Co-driven by Tom Woodburn, Williams – who studies Motorsport Management at Swansea University – will drive the new-for-2019 M-Sport designed Ford Fiesta R2T.