STEVE Deeley and Alan Proudman enjoyed a creditable 81st place in the Weir Engineering Wyedean Forest Rally – and undoubtedly did it the hard way.

Seeded to start in a 131st position out of 135 starters, and with overnight rain making the gravel forest tracks axle deep in rutted mud, there was little to be optimistic about for the duo.

However, with the knowledge of knowing how many competitors had started out before them, some in their WRC four-wheel-drive ground-churning machines, the Halesowen pair set off undeterred in their diminutive Peugeot 205 two-wheel-drive car.

Not only did they persevere with the conditions, they surpassed even their own wildest dreams eclipsing 50 of the cars that were in front of them to take a well-earned 81st place.