WALLASEY Motor Club's daredevil Alan Smith, from Irby, won a thrilling once in a lifetime rally ride after being chosen from over 5,000 applicants from a competition organised by RAC Insurance Direct in 'The Express.'

His unforgettable prize was the chance to ride as co-driver to the 1997 British Ladies Rally Champion Stephanie Simmonite, round the test stage used for last week's Manx International Rally - renowned and feared as Europe's fastest rally.

Said an excited Alan: "When RAC Insurance Direct got in touch with me I couldn't believe I had won and it wasn't until the air tickets to the Isle of Man came through the post that I realised I had!

"The ride in Stephanie's car was brilliant. I tried to read the co-driver's direction notes but I found I was four corners behind after about one mile of the stage, she was going too fast! We even caught the car in front of us, but unfortunately the journey was over far too soon.

"Our time over the stage was 4 mins 51 secs, which was 22 seconds quicker than her best time with her regular co-driver and sister Rachael! So I reckon I would be a good second reserve for them. I'm waiting for the phone call!"

After the ride he remained on the Isle of Man to cheer on RAC Insurance Direct's own car driven by Wirral born Tony Jardine, ITV's panellist for the Formula 1 World Championship, for the duration of the three day event. The prize could not have gone to a better person than Alan, a rally fanatic who is also heavily involved in local Wirral rallying as Treasurer of Wallasey Motor Club.

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