TERRY Martin and Mark Jones had a rollercoaster outing on the Mini Epynt Stages last weekend.

Suspension problems on Jones’ BMW cost the pair a top-10 finish on the Manx National, but with the shock absorbers rebuilt in readiness for the mid-Wales event, hopes were high for an improved result.

Martin, from Blackburn, and Jones got off to a difficult start when they caught the car in front two miles into the five-mile opening stage.

“It was annoying because he wouldn’t pull over, and we lost at least 10 seconds,” said Martin.

“Mark wasn’t in a good mood when he started stage two and caught another car, luckily we only lost a couple of seconds.

“By the time we got back to service, we found we were lying third overall, seven seconds off the lead.

“We had a great run on stage three, which was a re-run of the opening stage, and were 12 seconds faster. But coming to to the end of SS4 there was an oily smell in the car and when we got back to service we discovered one of the remote canisters for the suspension had blown.

“It now looks like we will miss the ALMC Stages in Ireland while we decide what we do with the suspension.

“It’s disappointing as we clearly have the pace to win.”