Chester’s rallying navigator took young Ben Crealey to a commanding class victory on this weekend’s Woodpecker Stages.

Featuring a capacity entry, the BTRDA and Welsh Championship round was the first for the pairing and only the third time in the forests for 17-year old Crealey. “I was approached before the event to help Ben, we did a test last week and arrived in Ludlow Friday evening.” Said Nieroda.

Having won his class on the previous Nicky Grist Stages, Crealey would have to adapt to very different roads in the forests of Radnor and Haye Park. The first stage was slippery as early morning rain dampened the already greasy surface, but a mature drive on the first two stages saw the pairing take a class lead and placed just outside the top fifty overall in the Yokohama-shod Ford Fiesta ST.

“The stages are quick around here, it takes good listening from Ben to go from the really fast stuff into the tight and twisty sections. But we’ve got a good position and the aim now is to carry on giving Ben the experience of the car and the stages.” Explained Nieroda.

Stage three was to see a few overshoots for the youngster as the Fiesta’s handbrake failed on some of the tighter corners costing at least twenty seconds. But worse was to come, with nearly two miles to go a component failure caused the rear left wheel come off. Dragging the car through the last few miles cost nearly a minute. “We’ve got to thank the guys at Geoff Jones Motorsport for getting the car going again, we were lucky not to lose the brakes or more time.” Said Crealey at the last service in Ludlow Race Course.

In the final two stages the Industry Training Services backed crew showed incredible pace, picking up ten places overall and maintain the class victory by over a minute. “Those last two were quick, Ben showed great maturity, listened well and has gained more experience to take into the next rally.” Said a jubilant Nieroda at the awards presentation.

Next up for the pair will be the Trackrod Rally, based in Pickering and using the classic forests around Dalby at the end of the month.