THE GlobalExpense Rally Team of Highworth duo Shelly Taunt and co-driver Julie Murphy celebrated at the weekend after finishing well up in the Dukeries Rally - the sixth round of the BTRDA rally championship.

The duo took their Subaru Impreza into 34th spot overall out of 130 entries and 13th in class out of 24.

Over seven stages through the Sherwood Forest area of Nottingham and with speeds in excess of 100mph on fast and narrow gravel tracks, the Impreza had a faultless outing.

A well pleased Julie Murphy said, "The car seemed to suit the stages. Shelly and I were both a bit anxious in the morning as neither of us knew how the car would handle on gravel.

"But it was absolutely awesome. Shelly settled in instantly. We had no problems all day and it was a fantastic event."

The girls needed to finish the event to gain points in the championship. In the end, Shelly took maximum in the lady drivers category whilst Julie was runner-up in the lady co-drivers' section.

After a series of retirements in the last four rounds in the other car, the team are hoping that their run of bad luck is over.

The pair are confident of improving, though Shelly admits that it will take a few rallies to get up to speed.

"I have to be consistent with my speeds," admits Taunt. "I get quicker as the day goes on, but with shorter rallies you have to be quick off the start-line on the first stage, and this is perhaps my main downfall."

The team's next event will be the Swansea Bay Rally, on Saturday, July 23, which is a round of the MSA National Gravel Rally Championship.