The final round of the West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters Challenge of 2025 took place over the excellent stages of Grizedale, with the season all but decided the only position likely to change was the D5 class result for co-drivers. With only two crews making the pilgrimage up north it was a small but enthusiastic showing by Baz Wheeler/John Pickavance and the D3 Escort of Paul Holmes/Liz Beesley. Both of these crews have shown a true commitment to the Challenge over the last few years which is very much appreciated by the club.

Neither crew encountered any particular problems during the day but the stages were extremely slippery and caught many people out during the day. Paul and Liz really enjoyed the compact nature of the event and really enjoyed the afternoon stages after a tough morning. Baz and John also found the going treacherous but emerged as top historic car overall and with John taking a set of maximum points it gives him the co-driver’s class award in D5, dislodging long time leader Ian Jones who wasn’t present. All in all a good day and we now look forward to 2026 and the first round, Rally North Wales.

A small aside to the report, Geoff Jones looks after the car of Paul Holmes and Liz Beesley and mechanic Paul ‘Nobby’ Jenkins spent the day servicing before heading back to Wales. Imagine my surprise as I came into a control, on Le Jog as sweeper car near Builth Wells, to find Nobby out marshalling. True commitment!