IT'S a measure of just how far rallyman John Stone has progressed in the last 12 months when he admitted to being "slightly disappointed" with his sixth place on the Tour of Epynt.

For the Blackburn businessman has emerged as a genuine contender for the 2006 National Asphalt Championship after finishing fifth overall last year.

But John, who is managing director of Legend Fires at Whitebirk, was still content to have scored some points on the opening round - and made it to the end.

"It's only the second time we've finished a rally on Epynt, so we were quite happy to get round unscathed, " he said.

"We made a good start but then started dropping back when the car began to cut out on right-handers.

"But sixth place has given us 17 points, which is good platform to build on. We failed to score on the opening round last year and that seemed to put us on the back foot for the whole season."

The notoriously tricky military range roads in mid-Wales were made even more hazardous following the decision to move the event from its usual autumn date to February because of an armed forces exercise.

As crews headed for the first stage for the 8.45am start on Sunday morning, the main topic of conversation was the severe overnight frost that saw temperatures plummeting to 5C. The appearance of the sun served, in part, to allay their fears, but the opening loop was treated with extreme caution by most.

"The place is just frighteningly fast, even when it's dry. The first two stages were sheet ice but it's just flat-out everywhere with blind crests to punish the slightest mistake," said John, who had regular co-driver Lee Carter alongside.

"We were reaching speeds of 140mph, at which point the windscreen begins to vibrate loudly and you start thinking about the wife and kids - and whether you should back off a bit."

Metro man John Bogie started his 2006 campaign in fine style with victory, over a minute ahead of the similar car of Mark Jasper after 15 stages.

Defending asphalt champion, and event sponsor, John Price was unable to use his usual car as it is awaiting the return of its engine after a rebuild, but he still managed fourth place in his hire' 6R4.

The 2006 Prima Motorsport MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship moves to the south-west for round two, the Tour of Cornwall on April 7-8.