A WEE COUNTY rally driver is hoping 2019 is going to bring her the luck needed to finish top of the league come April.

Ashleigh Morris finished last season in second position in class B, but she and her team are hoping to go one better this season following a challenging start to the campaign.

The Dollar-born woman recently competed in round three of the Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship at Knockhill on Sunday December 9.

Sadly for Ashleigh and co-partner, Jamie, however, they clipped a tyre on stage five which launched the car into the air before hitting a barrier.

Thankfully the pair were fine, but the race was over for them with the car “extensively damaged”, according to Ashleigh.

It carries on a somewhat difficult start to the season for the pair which started at the first round at Oulton Park, Cheshire.

They had a promising start to the day, finishing stage one third in their class, just seven seconds off the class lead.

But the pair were met with disappointment after the car wouldn’t go into gear and they were forced to retire due to clutch issues after just one stage.

Fortunately, they had a better run at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire, finishing fourth in class B and with Ashleigh taking home the trophy for Best Female Driver.

Ashleigh said: “Cadwell Park went really well for us. It was very slippery and we made the wrong tyre choice for the first two stages but still set reasonable times.

"We lost a bit of time on the faster stages which benefitted the higher powered cars but we were pleased with where we finished and we scored some good championship points.”

Despite the disappointment at Knockhill, the racer said that competing there was always a favourite venue, however, having grown up nearby.

She said: “I grew up near the venue so it’s my home circuit and I sat my BARS test there so it’s where my love of rallying started.

"It provides really challenging stages which are a good mix of the circuit and the rally stage.

“Last year we had a strong result there, finishing second in class in just our second event in the car.”

Writing in her blog following the race, Ashleigh said: “Unfortunately there is extensive damage to the car – the radiator and significant bodywork damage. My seat also moved as the bracket bent with the impact.

“We will need to further assess the damage, but we are hoping that the team can get the car sorted for our next rally at Brands Hatch on January 18.”

Those interested can follow Ashleigh’s progress in the 2018-19 Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship by visiting ashleighmorris.com