The Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) Rally Team started their rally season in fine style on last weekends Wyedean Rally based at Chepstow Race Course using the classic Forest of Dean stages. This was the first round of the BTRDA Rally Championship and the two Ford Focus 2002 World Rally Cars were in their new JLT livery. Over the winter months BTR Rally Preparation had worked on the cars in readiness for the coming season.

John Lloyd co-driven by Adrian Cavenagh and Andrew Barnes with Guy Simmons in the passenger seat were ready for action in the season opener. Tyres were debated before the start with Lloyd opting for a narrow tyre and Barnes taking the wider option. After two stages Lloyd was 6 seconds ahead of Barnes. During the lunch time service tyres were again questioned however both drivers decided to stick with the tread they had used that morning.

At the finish, after seven stages Lloyd led Barnes, finishing 8th and 9th overall out of 122 finishers.

LLOYD "This was a great start to 2010 with Andrew and I both having successful runs. I was never lower than 9th fastest on any of the stages. Not all the finishers were registered for the championship and with the bonus system used for lesser powered cars I am now lying fifth overall in the series with Andrew in seventh place. Very pleased with our performances on our first event of the year'

BTR Team mate Steve Perez and Paul Spooner won the event in their Vodka Kick Ford Focus 2007 WRC.

The teams next event is the Malcolm Wilson Rally based at M Sport in Cockermouth on Saturday 6th March.