With barely time to draw breath after Rally North Wales the West Wales Rally Spares Stage Masters Challenge contenders are back in action again for the Severn Valley Stages competing on more classic Welsh forestry special stages in Sarnau, Roman Road, Myherin and Tarennig awaiting our crews and another great day of competition is on the cards. The rally service area is based in Builth Wells once again. It is a relief to see the rally back after the devastation caused by the winter storms last year.

Nick Elliott and Dave Price are again likely to be the pace setters in the D5 class bringing the lovely Fiat 131 back out onto the stages. Rudi Lancaster will be hoping that his clutch issues are put to bed after Rally North Wales and will be accompanied once again by unregistered Andy Richards. Hopefully Rudi has given his tool kit a good soak in penetrating oil too! Mike Simpson is out again in his familiar Escort RS1800 and he is joined in the class by newcomer Rob Latham, also RS1800 mounted.

Dave Hopkins and Siobhan Pugh are the sole entrants in C5 and set a good pace on their last outing boding well for this time out. C3 will be the preserve of Jeremy Wells once again whilst D3 will be the territory of Paul Holmes and Liz Beesley in their well prepared Escort RS2000.

The refreshingly different Toyota Corolla of Ian Beveridge joins us again for the C2 class and more newcomers, Ricky and Dan Evans are a welcome addition in the E3 class in their Peugeot 205 GTi.

Spectator information is available at The Severn Valley Stages and the cars can be seen at a ceremonial start on the Friday evening in Llandrindod Wells starting at 6:30pm.

Photos: Ben Lawrence & Martin Leonard