Motor sport: Llandudno driver keen to test car in Chatsworth shoot-out

Jun 4 2009 by Our Correspondent, North Wales Weekly News

FIESTA Sport Trophy contender Matt Edwards will appear at the annual Kick Energy Rally Show at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire this weekend as part of a six-car shoot-out.

Edwards, from Llandudno, who currently lies third in the competitive series, will face five other opponents in a knock-out style challenge.

The drivers will compete to win the drive of the new Fiesta R2 car and a passenger ride in a Ford Focus World Rally with Ford’s Mikko Hirvonen.

Edwards will be co-driven on the event by Sam Collis, who lives locally to the venue, and both are looking forward to an entertaining addition to their already busy schedules.

Edwards said: “I am really looking forward to this event as it’s a chance to get back behind the wheel after a disappointing end to the Pirelli Rally, and just to check everything is OK with the car following its rebuild.

“Its also a chance for a small taster of how the car will handle on tarmac ahead of the Manx rally which will be my first tarmac rally.

“It will also be good to have Sam on board for the first time and I’m sure he will have a valuable input over the weekend.”

Edwards will also be taking the opportunity to raise publicity and support for his championship campaign, which remains in doubt after a sponsorship deal which would have completed his season’s budget fell through.

After three impressive outings from his first three starts in his self-built Fiesta ST, including second on his debut and an emphatic victory on the Bulldog Rally, Edwards will be keen to secure the backing to continue his fight for the title.