Comments from other Rally Drivers

I first met Jim in about 1980, but obviously new of him before from the many top star drivers he sat with in possibly rallying's golden era of the 70's people such as
Steve Banister,
Steve Reed,
John Laley,
the brilliant Mike Jackson
and lately Ian Oldfield.
Jim's knowledge of the UK forests was immense in the days before map reading and pace notes, especially Yorkshire he also knew how to push on or calm a driver down and was possibly one of the best UK co-drivers of his era and this book should be a fantastic account of a truly great co-driver's career in the hot seat as he will tell it exactly as it is.

Paul Willetts


Having known Jim for a long time, we started rallying about the same time, and have experienced the highs and lows of our sport.
Jim's book perfectly encapsulates rallying for the Clubman and National Co-driver back in the Golden Age of Rallying in the 70's and 80's.
Plenty is written about the stars, but the hundreds of crews who competed, generally at their own expense have, to a large extent, been ignored - until now.
If you want to read how it was for the crews who rallied for the fun of it, but still went flat out to win, then this is the book for you.

Miles Cartwright


"I can't wait to read this book. I have followed Jim's co-driving career with interest, especially in the 70's and 80's.
Jim has had some top rides with top British national and international drivers such as Steve Bannister, Mike "Bilko" Jackson, Steve Reed, Geoff Simpson, Ian Oldfield and many, many others.
His career has had so many highs and lows, this will make a fantastic read and knowing Jim, he won't be short of words!"

Jonathan Pulleyn


I first came into contact with Jim in 1979 when I started sending my films to his business, Castle Colourservices, for processing. He wrote a note with one of my returned films saying that he'd co-driven for a driver in one of my photographs, a certain Steve Bannister... We became I suppose you could say, 'Penpals' after that and exchanged much information and many memories about our experiences in rallying and finally met at the finish of my local event, the 'Pace National' which was based at my hometown of Aberystwyth in 1982.

He was always into running and a 'Fitness Lifestyle' and I'll never forget a time in the early '90s when he came down to my neck of the woods once again and we walked up Cader Idris mountain near Dolgellau. Now I was of the persuasion that once leaving school, I would never have to run nor walk particularly fast ever again. WRONG! We started the climb and Jim was off like a scalded cat, waiting for me to catch up every so often but never sitting down to rest, 'chill' or whatever... I can look back at this experience now and laugh about it but at the time, suffice it to say, I was not a happy bunny!

We lost contact for quite a few years, but I got in touch with him and it was arranged that we'd go and watch the 2007 Trackrod Stages, mainly for the Historic section of the event. We chatted while waiting for the first cars to arrive in Gale Rigg and Jim told me that he was a bit worried that the 'Bug' may come and bite him again...

Well, safe to say that it has! We went out again that winter to see the Roger Albert Clarke rally and as I sit here writing this, in just three days time Jim is making his comeback, co-driving for Richard Pocklington in his Mk2 Escort at a Single Venue rally in Greystoke forest. How will he get on?

I'm sure we'll hear all about it!!

Steve Pugh who took the main cover photo on the book.

"I first met Jim immediately after Ian Oldfield had had taken him for an unscheduled visit to the Cafe at Olivers Mount in 198? While contesting the Champions of Castleton Tarmac Stages on May 20th 1984 Yes they'd made it a Drive in!

I don't recall Jim being very talkative then, but knowing him now it's hard to imagine him not saying much. I expect he will have included one or two shots and no doubt a mention in the book.(there is one of me surveying the damage to the car after its removal).

It's only recently I've got to know him through a rallying web site, his knowledge of what I consider to be the golden era of rallying is amazing. He sat with some quick drivers.and had some great experiences.

MAXDECEL
Watersplash in Spa
Banner in Trentham Gardens RAC 1979
Banner roll 1
Vince on Wydean
In Wykeham on the 76 Mintex
Bilko on Mintex 83
Banner in Keilder - Lindisfarne 1979
£15.95 plus P&P