Rallying - Graham Roberts Autos

Graham has been rallying since 1974. Started off with Nav runs and road rallies, using many types of cars. Best results were in a Mark 1 Astra 1300cc, beating many 2.0 Escorts at the time. Then onto the Fiat Challenge, similar to the MG ZR challenge. These were all stage rallies, we finished 3rd overall in the championship in the first year.

Over the years different cars came and went, and 3 years ago, built a Subaru and ran it for 2 years. It was just too expensive to be fun. Our car was a group A 1997 car worth about £12k and we were up against WRC cars worth up to £300k in the same class.

That is the main appeal of the ZR challenge. Reasonably cheap and a level playing field. We had some good results last year, apart from some gearbox problems and we were the only car to push and beat Matt Bebbe on some stages. Every time we finished, we were 2nd MG.

Alan has navigated for me on and off over the years, but not last year. He is committed to the MG challenge in 2006.

Results over the years:-

1976-77
1300 ASWMC road rally champion, 3rd in the open class. Astra 1300 MK1

1980
1st overall in 2 ASWMC road rallies. Chevette 2300

1987
Fiat challenge, won the first round, 3rd in championship and 1st overall in 1300 class and 15th overall in South West Stages. Fiat Uno 1300 Group A.

1996
1st overall clubman Tour of Cornwall 2900 Ford Sierra 4x4.

2003
3rd overall Rally of Kent and Tempest. Subaru Impreza.

2004
3rd overall Rally of Kent and Audi Stages. Subaru Impreza.

2005
Rally of Wales 2nd MG, 4th in class.
Pirelli Rally retired while 2nd MG, diff problems.
Scottish Rally retired leading MG, 3 punctures!
Jim Clark Rally 2nd MG, 6th in class.
Audi Stages retired leading 1400cc, diff problem.
Somerset 2wd event, 6th overall, 4th 1400cc.

BACK FOR 2011
Competing on BTRDA 1400 Forest Championship, in MG ZR with 180 BHP. Also, Auto X in Nissan Pulsar GTIR and other rounds in Prodrive Subaru