EARLIER this month, Taunton-based rally driver Bill Paynter competed in the first round of the ASWMC Tarmac Rally Championship in his JFDIT Solutions sponsored Subaru Impreza.

The event took place at the Bovington Tank Test Track in Dorset, a venue that Bill had never competed at before.

Bill and co-driver Andy Hollingham were previously known for competing in a 1400cc Peugeot 106 but in 2018 after securing their Class win in the National Asphalt Championship Bill sold the Peugeot wanting to step up into a 4WD car.

A year later, he purchased this ex-Prodrive Subaru from Northern Ireland and after some modifications he was ready to compete again.

Sadly, Covid-19 put a stop to most events taking place in 2020/21 and apart from a Test Day at Smeatharpe, Bill wasn't able to compete again until Bovington this year.

With this being only the second event in the car it was primarily to be used as another test, to try and build confidence, and further understand and get to grips with the new car.

Although the pair took a steady approach, they showed great potential finishing the event 7th overall out of 60 starters and 3rd in Class.

The next outing for the BP Rally Team will be in May at RAF Portreath, for the TSH Stages Rally.