FOLLOWING a spectacular accident in Belgium less than four weeks ago, Forest of Dean rally ace Nik Elsmore has returned to the forefront of the European Championship.

Overcoming any physical problems, Nik demonstrated courage and determination in the Deutschland Rally.

Since the accident Nik has focused on regaining his fitness and health to ensure he is back on form to continue competing on selected World Championship events.

Unfortunately for Nik his regular co-driver Jayson Brown, from Abergavenny, was unable to compete in Germany. Jayson's back injuries, which occurred on the Bianchi Rally, were still causing problems, and the decision was made to rest. With the decision made just days before the German event, Nik was left co-driverless!

But for a change lady luck was on Nik's side, and during a visit to Castle Coombe racetrack Nik met international co-driver, Brian Hardie. After hearing of Nik's plight, Brian agreed to sit with him on the forthcoming event.

The International Deutschland Rally was being run and observed by the FIA, with a view to gaining recognition for inclusion in the 2002 World Rally Championships.

The first day's stages were hold in the vineyards of the beautiful Mosel Valley. A cautious start on day one of the rally gave Nik and Brian the opportunity to gain confidence in each other's abilities. By the end of the first day driving their Guy Colsoul Rallysport prepared Gwalia/MEB Contracting Mitsubishi EVO 6, Nik and Brian finished a credible 25th overall and fifth in class, out of a field of approximately 90 cars.

The event moved south on the second day. Nik and Brian found themselves at the military bases of Baumholder, the former NATO training base. The concrete roads were built to withstand the heavy artillery, and it was here that Nik and Brian experienced several problems. The very abrasive surface of the concrete did not lend itself to this type of event, and many of the crews were to succumb to tyre problems and punctures – not least Nik who had three punctures. Having to stop and change the wheels during the stages cost Nik approximately nine valuable minutes.

The third and final day moved to a different area, providing cleaner and smoother surfaces. With the Mitsubishi running without any problems, Nik was improving his stage times and found himself in the top three times on each stage, in the Group N category.

Nik and Brian worked superbly together and finished 23rd overall eighth in class, and were first British crew home.

Nik commented: "After having the huge crash on the Bianchi Rally, my main aim was to gain as many stage miles as possible before I travel to Finland. Not only did I manage to finish the event but, I managed to prove that my driving has been unaffected by the crash and set some very competitive stage times. The rally had a huge selection of stages which was very difficult and Brian did an excellent job in getting me round in one piece."

Nik's next event takes him to the Neste Rally of Finland, formerly the Rally of the 1,000 Lakes, in August. Hopefully Jayson will have made a full recovery and be fit enough to sit beside him once again.