IT'S just three weeks since rallyman John Stone completed the 2005 National Asphalt Championship.

But the Blackburn businessman will begin his challenge for the 2006 title this weekend.

For John and co-driver Lee Carter are making the 600-mile round trip to Cornwall for the City of Truro Stages.

Although the event isn't a round of the series, the roads are the same as the ones used on the Tour of Cornwall, which is next year's opening round.

"It's the perfect opportunity to get some practice in early," explained John, who is managing director of Legend Fires at Whitebirk.

"There's no real pressure on us, although a top three result would be a bonus! If we can get the car set up correctly for the Cornish tarmac it will give us a head start when we get to the first event."

John and his immaculately-prepared Metro 6R4 have been one of the revelations of this year's National Asphalt Championship.

In the event, they finished an excellent fourth overall, after suffering just two retirements in seven rounds and clocking up a string of top five results.

Ironically, one of those retirements came on the Tour of Cornwall, when an oil pipe sheared three miles into the first stage.

"That was our lowest point, but it proved the catalyst for the whole team to up their game," said John, a former ANWCC champion.

"The high points of the season was winning the Promenade Stages, and beating national champion John Price, and our fifth place on the Jim Clark Rally.

"That was the rally that Lee and I seemed to 'click' with the pacenotes, and our stages times were quicker."

Despite a busy season so far, John and Lee still have one more event to go after the

City of Truro Stages.

The pair are contesting next month's Rockingham Stages, based at the Northamptonshire oval circuit, and defending last year's inaugural event win.

The team are planning to debut a brand new 6R4, built specifically for next year's series.