POLE vaulting and rallying aren't usually mentioned in the same breath, but John Stone managed a combination of the two when the contested the Mewla National Rally.

For the highly-rated Blackburn driver made a spectacular exit from the event, based on the Epynt army range roads in Wales, by launching his Metro 6R4 at a telegraph pole.

Fortunately for Stone and co-driver Lee Carter, the Legend Fires machine missed obstacle by inches, landing heavily nearby.

"We'd had a quite a good run right up until the accident of stage nine," said John, who is the reigning ANWCC champion.

"But we were going a bit too quick and caught out on gravel in the bottom of the hill. The car shot across the grass and hit a small bank, which launched us about five feet into the air and then through the gap between the telegraph pole and its support wires -- how we missed either is a complete mystery.

"The doctors and paramedics arrived within minutes to make sure we were OK, but the biggest thanks go to the marshals who looked after us until the stage had finished.

"We both got the all-clear after a hospital checkup, and we will do better on Epynt next time -- honest!"