STOKE Heath rally co-driver Andy Bull believes he has unearthed one of hottest prospects in the sport after guiding his youngest ever driver to a top result.
Bull, the 1998 Nation Gold Star Rally champion, was alongside 19-year-old driver Ben Colley, from Bewdley, when the pair set the second fastest times on two of the six stages at the Grizedale Forest Rally last week.
The duo set the second best times in the Peugeot 205 Challenge in the Lake District, one of the country's biggest rally championships, and the nine-mile test section, second only to the championship winner.
And Bull, who has competed on most of the world rally championship circuit, has no doubt Colley can be a star.
"I was very impressed with Ben's driving ability, both when driving for a result and his ability to keep the car on the road," he said. "We will have some discussions over the winter but I would be delighted to sit with Ben again - this kid will go places."
But Andy, only called in to race at the last minute, was a little wary before he saw Ben drive.
"I was questioning my own sanity because I was getting in a rally car with a 19-year old-driver but then I was telling him to push harder and harder.
"Ben is certainly a star of the future and I was delighted to be able to let him off the leash."
Bull and Colley eventually finished in 28th place overall after their Peugeot 205 developed a failing head gasket, contributing to a lack of pace.
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