Clutch problems cost Colin McRae and Abergavenny's Nicky Grist an almost certain podium finish on The FIA Telstar Rally Australia at the weekend.

Driving the Skoda Fabia WRC for the second time this year, Colin and Nicky had everything to go for and they gave it their best shot.

Setting joint second fastest time with Sebastian Loeb on stage four gave everyone a wake up call and it was evident that the crew were well on the pace. At the end of the second leg after stage twenty they were second overall 27 seconds behind leader Francois Duval in a Citroen and five seconds ahead of Harri Rovanpera in a Mitsubishi who was third.

The third and final leg comprised six stages. Clutch problems over the next three stages allowed to Dual to extend his lead and Rovanpera to take second place. It was decided to change the clutch at service and although the crew had changed a clutch previously in twenty one minutes this time the change took longer and the time lost forced retirement.

At this stage Colin and Nicky were forty eight seconds in front of fourth placed Manfred Stohl in a Citroen and had they got out of service on time, third and possibly second overall was on the cards.

Nicky and Colin gave Skoda some of the fastest stage times set by the team so far and while Skoda consider their future in the WRC next year let us hope they will be encouraged by the times set on this event and continue, hopefully with Colin McRae and Nicky Grist contesting a full championship.

Forresters Car Club members Gareth Nutt and Kevin Haven made the long trip north to County Durham to compete on the Hamsterley Forest Stages Rally the final round of the Peugeot 205 Challenge.

In their Vehiclesource / Orchard Motors-backed Peugeot 205, they set second fastest time for the Peugeot 1600cc class on the opening stage and went on to set fastest times on the remaining stages.

They finished the event 18th overall and won the 1600cc class. In the overall 205 Challenge Championship Gareth and Kevin finished second in the 1600cc class and having won the fastest stage times league overall they have won a trip to an ice driving school in Sweden.

Mastering some very tricky conditions on the event this young crew look certain to a bright future. David Stokes competes in the Braces Bread backed Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1 on The Roger Albert Clark Rally on Nov 19th/22nd. Based on Sheffield the event will use stages in the Yorks,Kielder,Scottish Borders area.

Forced to retire with electrical problems on Sunday last year David entered the RAC Trophy Rally on Monday and Tuesday and won it outright. For further information see www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org