Once again competitors in the West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters Challenge were treated to the autumnal delights of the Royal Forest of Dean for the Wyedean Stages. This year the rally started from Cinderford and decamped to Ross on Wye cattle market for the days servicing.

Before the rally there was a chance of a last round battle if anyone slipped up but they didn’t and Baz Wheeler emerged victorious in his Metric Services Ford Escort RS1800 to take the driver’s accolades. In the co-driver’s battle there was a mathematical chance that Ian Jones could have fought for the win but when his driver had to pull out for personal reasons it left Liz Beesley as champion for the second year running as Wheeler’s usual partner, John Pickavance had missed some rounds during the year.

All pictures: Ben Lawrence

Baz Wheeler and his stand and co-driver, Richard Wise, did a great job on the day and finished 9^th overall on a very challenging event. Next best were Mike Simpson and Dale Gibbons in their RS1800, Simpson regaining his mojo after a fraught year to take a fine 11^th overall. Ron Morgan’s colourful Restruct Escort took third in the D5 class.

Paul Holmes and Liz Beesley (ford Escort RS2000) have also had a difficult year after a dream 2024 and their fellow class competitors have kept them more than on their toes. Hywel Davies usually sets the class pace but a change to a Subaru for the day ruled him out. Dave Peters and Dan Morefield would also usually have the edge too but at the end of stage one a conrod made a bid for freedom and left them stranded in the stage. Holmes and Beesley therefore took the class win and were throwing caution to the wind a little to record a respectable finish.

There were two Minis out on the stages and it was great to see Eric Davis and Russell Joseph get a finish at last after a run of retirements. They won their Challenge class as did Bob Clarke who made a rare appearance in his D1 Mini.

One more round remains with the Grizedale Stages in December where we have a small representation and then it will be the countdown to the first round of 2026, Rally North Wales.