Yes, the rumours are true. After the best part of three years away from actively competing, we are heading back to the stages again. Writing this, I can't believe it's actually that long ago. It certainly doesn't feel it; I've been very busy in that three years.

Since the last time we left you, I'd lost one job, started self employment, bought a new house that needed a lot of work doing to it, changed to a permanent job again, done up an entire house, got engaged, bought a dog, had a beautiful little baby girl and (somewhere in all of that) managed to fit some time in to repair the Peugeot from its last outing at Caerwent. So, you'll excuse me, but it's not like I've been sitting around doing nothing since 2003.

Now the whole house-dog-baby malarky is out of the way (and yes, I say that in jest) it's time to wipe the dust off the old girl and get her out on the stages again. And she's looking better than ever. She's now sporting some new AP Racing 4-pot brakes up front with 285mm discs, after we split a disc on the previous Alcons back in 2003. She's had a re-wire to sort out some engine management troubles, plus a good re-fettle of all the important bits. And, while it's not fitted yet, there's some Proflex 3-way suspension on it's way for the rear end, to help keep her stable at speed in the forests. Tucked away in the back of the garage is an even nicer bit of kit - a 16-valve engine - to go into the thing in the future, but this will almost definately not be this year.

First event is a leisurely jaunt around Down Ampney airfield as part of the Owen Developments Stages rally on Saturday 5th May 2007 - ran by EMCOS (www.emcos.co.uk). Due to prior committments, Big Dan can't make this one, but I was eager to get the car out and tested at a venue before we start doing the more serious events later in the year (particularly the forest stages). Thankfully we managed to keep it "in the team" by getting team member Dave Parry to step into the fold and take over Dan's duties for the event.

Look out for a report soon....