Our West Wales Rally Spares Stage Masters Challenge contenders had a challenging day on the Woodpecker Stages with slippery conditions and fog making things difficult. Historically this rally has been based in Ludlow at the sprawling racecourse but the loss of Radnor meant that a move to Newtown made sense as they utilised Ceri, Hafren and Sweetlamb. The Britpart premises provided the start venue and although chaotic at times it provided everything that was needed. Crews were bathed in glorious warm sunshine for scrutineering on the Friday but low cloud and drizzle on Saturday set the tone.
Whilst the big guns have been battling it out in the D5 class, which is the domain of exclusively BDA engine Escorts, there has been a stealthy campaign by Paul Holmes and Elizabeth Beesely in the D3 class bringing their Pinto engine Escort to the forefront of the Challenge. They epitomise the clubman and although they are not the quickest their choice of class coupled with good preparation and a 100% finishing record has put them at the top of the points table. Another trouble free run on the Woodpecker gave them a maximum score which was aided by Hywel Davies whose similar car took a liking to a ditch early on earning them a stage maximum. Mathematically one more maximum score will seal the Challenge for Paul whilst the co-driver’s crown could be decided various ways.
The afore mentioned D5 class was once again the domain of Rudi Lancaster and Guy Weaver who had a stunning run overall and were well ahead of their closest Challenge rival, Baz Wheeler who had Ian Jones with him for the day whilst John Pickavance was on holiday. Rob Dennis was next after a good drive with Gareth Bevan and Jordan Jones next in a recently acquired ex-Phil Rogers car. Next up were the Squires brothers going into their 40th year of stage rallying followed by Charles Hopkinson and Alan Jones whose only drama of the day was the tracker parting company with the roll cage. Rounding off the class finishers were Steve Ward and Phil Sandham who admitted to struggling in the foggy conditions,
There was no change in the C5 class where Jonathan Brace and Paul Spooner held sway in their Ford Escort RS1600 with Andy Stokes and Jonny ‘Tad’ Evans doing the chasing once more. Jeremy Wells took his traditional place behind them rounding off the class podium.
The enthusiastic Graham Thatcher cleaned up in class D4 with Tim Samuel, the Triumph TR7 V8 a model of reliability, the car being blessed with an engine that came out of a vicar’s car! Bill Douglas and Dave Tearl soldiered on well and took the runner up spot in the big Volvo 244.
Freddy Camp and Stephen Spear were the sole entrants in class C2 but looked to be enjoying themselves in their 1600cc Escort Mk1 having made the long drive up from Devon. With one more asphalt and one more gravel round there is still the opportunity for drama but that climax will have to wait until the Wyedean Stages in mid November.
Photos by Kind Permission of Ben Lawrence