Hampshire journalist and rally co-driver Alyson Marlow has teamed up with stunt driver and autotest champion Paul Swift for an assault on the country's top one make series - the Peugeot 206 Super Cup.

Alyson, who works at the Southern Daily Echo in Southampton, has joined forces with the rally novice this year and is hoping that his driving skills and her co-driving experience will be a winning formula.

Although 23-year-old Paul is new to rallying he has been driving since he was seven years old taking part in stunt displays with his dad Russ Swift and competing in autotests both in the UK and abroad.

"Its going to be a steep learning curve for Paul this year, even getting used to having someone else in the car telling him what to do will be a new experience for him but we are both really looking forward to getting the season underway," said Alyson.

"The rallying scene is all very new for Paul and he's keen to take things fairly easy until he has really learnt the car.

"His plan this year is to learn as much as he can about every rally and that means we must get to the finish of as many events as possible."

Alyson is no stranger to the Peugeot 206 having been a works Peugeot co-driver on the 2001 World Cup Rally which saw her and driver Barbara Armstrong finish an impressive second overall on the 11,000km trek to the Sahara and back, and last year she joined forces with Canadian rally champion Pat Richard for the 206 Super Cup.

A co-driver for more than 10 years she has contested Britain's round of the World Rally Championship seven times and last year took part in events around the UK, in France and in Canada.

Alyson and Paul's first outing was at the weekend when they contested the Kielder-based Borders Rally - a long trek north for Alyson but on the doorstep of Paul who lives in Darlington.

"The series we are contesting is incredibly competitive with some of the country's top aspiring drivers," said Alyson.

"Previous Peugeot championships have produced the likes of Richard Burns and Hampshire's Justin Dale so its going to be a tough year."

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