MALCOLM Mawdsley was rushed to hospital at the weekend after an accident in the Coracle Stages rally.

The former Blackburn businessman was competing in the mid-Wales event alongside Jonathan Turnbull in the 2WD Impreza but drifted wide into a ditch, resulting in a heavy impact with a bank.

Mawdsley was put on to a spinal board and taken to Aberystwyth hospital by ambulance for assessment of suspected back injuries, but it was found he only suffered severe strain and bruising to his lumbar spine and he is now recovering.

Competing for Blackburn’s Activ8 Motorsport team, Mawdsley – now based in Bradford – was taking part only two weeks after a non-finish in the Quinton Stages because of a power steering hose failure.

Stages one and two were completed without any problems and Mawdley’s times were competitive before the accident.

The car has now been taken back to B and G Motorbodies in Blackburn to repair the heavy chassis damage, with Mawdsley hoping to be in action once more in September’s Woodpecker Stages.

A team spokesperson said: “All members of Team Activ8 Motorsport wish Malcolm a speedy recovery, and have had a whip round to buy him a fresh pair of driving glasses!”