Gold for Ludlow rally driver

Mellings teamed up once again with Scottish navigator Richard Crozier to tackle the epic adventure that winds its way from south to north covering 1,450 miles through the West Country, Wales and the Welsh Marches, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Northumberland and Scotland.

The event is aimed at vehicles built before 1985 - these are classified according to age, engine size and body type. Competitors can face arduous conditions as well as tricky navigation as they tackle a variety of motor sport disciplines including regularity sections, special tests and road rally sections.

Mellings wheeled out his trusty Rover 216S for the crew's first attempt at LeJog hopeful of a clean run which would see them into the top ten.

The competition began immediately with a test in the grounds of the Lands End Hotel. Mellings/Crozier settled in well with joint sixth overall out of 70 crews. Several regularity sections followed interspersed with tests at venues such as Cornwall College and The Royal Cornwall Showground where the pair dropped 45 seconds to their class rivals on the second of three tests.

The first main halt was at Chepstow where drivers took a two hour break. However there was no such luxury for the navigators who had to then plot the route for the tricky night section that would take them through Mid Wales to the overnight halt at Telford. Mellings excelled here on his home patch as the route crossed the Powys/Shropshire border before making its way over the Long Mynd. Ably assisted by Crozier the pair were one of only two crews who came through without dropping any penalties, seeing them rise to third overall at the overnight halt.

After only a few hours sleep crews would start day two which would take them across country through Staffordshire, Yorkshire to eventually finish the day in Northumberland -the easiest of the three days!

A couple of one minute penalties on the regularity sections, one caused by the car cutting out in a particularly deep ford, would see them drop to fifth overall at the end of the day.

Day three would test crews as they worked their way across the England/Scotland border, up through the Highlands utilising some of the most scenic and wild roads in the UK to their final destination, John O' Groats, an epic 26 hour journey. Coupled with the various tests at venues such as the Knockhill Race Circuit and the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum Mellings/Crozier would need to hold their nerve to try and reach a podium place.

With Crozier keeping Mellings on the right road and to the right time, Mellings played his part setting some excellent times on the tests including fastest overall on the very final test at John O' Groats, a performance which would see them finish the iconic event in fourth overall, and one of only three crews to win a prestigious gold medal, awarded for those who have set a consistent standard throughout.

The result topped off a fine season for Mellings who finished sevent overall in the Historic Rally Car Register Clubman's Road Rally Championship and firstt in his category.

The next meeting of Ludlow Castle Motor Club will be held on January 13 at the Ludlow Brewery starting at 20.00, all are welcome.