Rallying is just like riding a bike fo Ross (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rallying is just like riding a bike fo Ross

1:40pm Thursday 4th March 2010 in

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AS a former junior cycle champion, rallyman Ross Miller knows how to pedal his Peugeot.

And the Whalley-based driver is about to embark on his first full season in the sport.

Ross, 33, is planning a two-pronged attack on both the ANCC and SD34 Stage Championships, starting with Sunday’s Roskirk Stages at the Three Sisters, Wigan “Going rallying is the fulfilment of a dream for me, ever since my dad took me to watch events when I was very young,” said Ross, who works as a commercial designer and fitter.

“I’ve always been very competitive and always interested in speed, starting from when I had a pushbike. I progressed into track and road cycling, becoming a juvenile and criterium champion and riding for the now-defunct Kodak team.

“That got put on the back-burner as I built up my career and business, but early last year I was in a position to be able to go rallying.

“I bought a Peugeot 206GTi from Matthew Bettridge, who campaigned it on the Isle of Man, and did my first event at the Three Sisters, finishing a creditable fifth in class and 22nd overall.

“We did three events last year, and took the car out for a shakedown on last month’s Jack Frost Stages at Croft. We had a bit of nightmare start when the intercom failed, but recovered to finish 10th in class, with the car in one piece!”

A member of Clitheroe DMC, Miller has had the support of club mates Chris Woodcock and Terry Martin to help him get started.

“Chris has been great, giving plenty of advice and support, and Terry volunteered to co-drive for me last year,” added Ross.

“His commitments to the SD34 Road Rally Champ-ionship has meant he’s unable to sit alongside this season, so I’ve got Grant Williams, who lives in Macclesfield but is originally from the Isle of Mull, to read the maps.”

l Anyone interested in sponsoring Ross Miller can contact him by email at cronshawcottage@btinternet.com