MOTORSPORT: Rally driver Matt Barker had a surprise late call-up at the weekend when he made a return to navigating at the Raceandrally.com 1,400cc Championship.

The 31-year-old Bewdley man helped out Hartlebury-based John Pardoe, 57, in his Peugeot 205 at the Quinton Stages around Builth Wells.

They finished ninth at the BTRDA Rally Series event and West Midland Motorsport's Pardoe, normally navigated by the unavailable Stuart Bethell, is in the top three in his class.

Barker admitted: "I hadn't navigated for eight years so I was a little bit rusty on the maps but it was quite interesting to have a look from the other side. I just hope I didn't hold John up too much!"

Wolverley's Robert Archer, with co-driver Peter Field, finished third in his B11 class and 17th overall in the Series' Silver Star Championship.

They clocked a time of 44 minutes and 58 seconds in the Ford Escort Mark 2, finishing behind rivals Jon Ballinger and Phil Burton.

Welshpool's Mick Jones and Andy Morgan won the race overall in 41-19.

The next stage is in Ludlow on August 31 with drivers competing for the Woodpecker Rally prize.