Jackson’s season still to get out of first gear

Matthew Jackson and co-driver Claire Williams.

Following on from a successful run of results and championship victories in 2014 in their Nissan Micra, the pair had hoped to continue their impressive form into this year’s Kick Energy  1400 BTRDA Rally Championship.

However, the engine problems that resulted in their retirement from their season-opener on the Malcolm Wilson Rally back in March have continued to plague their championship hopes.

The duo were forced to withdraw from the Manx Rally on the Isle of Man in May after their newly built engine arrived only days before the rally and their engine woes were still not fully resolved before the Plains Rally in Welshpool.

“We have had a nightmare start to the year,” said Jackson.

“At the end of last year the decision was made to upgrade the Micra to 1400S specification in the hope to better our overall results.

“To say the development process has been troublesome is an understatement.

“However, we are as eager as ever to get the car right and get out there to prove not only our pace, but also what can be done in a home-built car.”

Jackson is confident the issues that have hindered his rally season thus far are a thing of the past and he can now look forward to salvaging what is left of the championship at the Nicky Grist Stages, held in Builth Wells, Wales, this weekend.