Wyedean Stages
A very healthy line up of registered contenders in the West Wales Rally Spares Stage Masters Challenge amassed at Ross on Wye for the final round of the series. With classic special stages, in prime condition, on offer in the Royal Forest of Dean it was no wonder that the entry was oversubscribed and those who did enter were not to be disappointed.
The big news story of the day was Liz Beesley becoming champion co-driver with regular driver Paul Holmes who had wrapped up the driver’s title on the previous round in their ultra reliable D3 Ford Escort RS2000. This couple have been great supporters of the Challenge this year and have reaped what they have sown.
Elsewhere Baz Wheeler made his Dean debut and despite a puncture and a misfire he and John Pickavance finished a creditable 12th overall in their familiar Metric Services Ford Escort RS1800. The result also elevated Baz to second in the Challenge whilst John finished a little further back after missing the Woodpecker Stages. Rob Dennis had a good day to take second in the class with his well presented Escort and he also was the recipient of the Exol Oil award for performance and presentation. Charles Hopkinson and Alan Jones were next up in their RS1800 with Steve Ward and Phil Sandham next. A couple of registered co-drivers found drivers for the day and Dan Morefield elevated himself up the Challenge order by scoring points with Damian Cole. Dale Gibbons guided Andrew Simpson, son of Mike, around the stages and 19th overall was a commendable result on Andrew’s first ever gravel rally.
In the C5 class Andy Stokes and Jonny Tad Evans had already wrapped up the class in the Challenge and were out to score a good result on what could be their swansong event, 25th overall was just reward for their efforts.
Paul Holmes and Liz Beesley had Hywel ‘Post’ Davies as opposition and Hywel is invariably quicker but an off road excursion spelt retirement handing the class win to Paul and Liz. Graham Thatcher and Tim Samuel have had a lot of fun this year in their Triumph TR7 V8 and the D4 class champions pleased onlookers once again. Freddy Camp and Stephen Spear took the points in the C2 class despite an early scare when they left the road on the very first special stage of the day in Speech House. Luckily there were plenty of spectators there to get them on their way! Russell Joseph took a late call to accompany Craig King in his Mini Cup car and scored good points in the process.
As well as Hywel Davies two other drivers sadly retired on the day, Jack Thorne and Gareth Bevan both suffered clutch failure in their D5 Escorts but were both ‘on it’ until that point. We now look forward to the 2025 season with a mildly modified calendar with some fantastic events to contest.
