Edwards/Garrod storm to maiden BTRDA win at Rallynuts Stages
Posted: September 5, 2018 9:00 AM
British Rally Championship ace Matt Edwards set fastest time on each one of the seven stages of the Rallynuts Stages Rally this weekend (14th April) to secure his first ever BTRDA Series win at the Builth Wells based event.
Edwards and co-driver Darren Garrod dominated the event in their Ford Fiesta R5 to win by 40 seconds from Luke Francis and John Roberts in their WRC example. Paul Bird and Jack Morton secured the final podium spot in their Ford Focus WRC, to further extend their lead of the Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA Rally Series.
One of the biggest entries in many years headed for the Midland Manor Motor Club organised event which took in classic tests in the Cefn, Crychan, Gwibedog and Radnor forests. 44 stage miles would lie ahead for the 130 competitors who had entered the event and despite the shift of the events traditional June date to April, were greeted by warm spring sunshine during the day.
The opening loop of three stages would see Edwards build a 19 second lead to Francis after 15 miles of competitive driving and despite the lack of power in the Welshman’s R5 version compared to the world car of Francis, had no intention of leaving it there for the rest of the day.
True to his word, Edwards ensured his preparation for the forthcoming British Championship round in a fortnight’s time was a valuable step forward by taking a convincing win over some much more powerful machinery.
“It’s been a great day in the forests and it seems that the things we have tried with the car today have worked well” said Edwards at the finish.
“Preparing for the season ahead, when you are doing the longer rallies you have to find a pace that you are happy with and stick with it all day. We managed to do that today and to take our first BTRDA win with it is amazing.”
Francis was the model of consistency throughout the seven stages, settling in to his runner up spot from the very first stage. In only his second ever event in the Fiesta WRC, Francis could not overhaul a flying Edwards, but ensured he remained in safe second place to put right his early exit from the Cambrian Rally in February.
Bird would start his Rallynuts Stages with fourth quickest on the opening test, briefly remaining outside the podium places until the third stage when he picked off Hugh Hunter and Rob Fagg’s Fiesta WRC to move into third. There he would stay for the rest of the event. Hunter was happy with his early pace, but couldn't quite match Bird’s two-litre Focus and settled for fourth at the finish.
Number one seed, Stephen Petch and Michael Wilkinson couldn’t quite live up to the expectation of the starting order with a slower than normal start for the Northumbrian. His Fiesta WRC would act as road sweeper for the remaining crews and as the stages were repeated in the afternoon, his times tumbled. Petch ended the event with second quickest time, to finish fifth.
Julian Reynolds and Patrick Walsh took their Fiesta R5 to an impressive sixth spot in just their second event in the car with British Rally Championship star Tom Cave, with Dale Bowen alongside just two seconds behind in seventh in his aging but rapid Subaru Impreza.
Charlie Payne/Carl Williamson (Fiesta WRC), Martyn/Dawn England (Fiesta R5+) and Dylan Davies/Llion Williams (Subaru Impreza) rounded off the top ten.
Formally known as the Severn Valley Stages, thanks to a long-term partnership with race wear and accessory supplier Rallynuts Motorsport, the event was renamed at the end of 2017, ensuring the stability of the rally into at least 2023.
The event was a round of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship, West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship.
In Car
Posted: September 5, 2018 8:56 AM
Julian Reynolds & Patrick Walsh (Ford Fiesta R5) SS5
An impressive line-up of around 130 crews will head to Builth Wells this weekend as some of the best drivers in national rallying compete in the 45th running of the Rallynuts Stages Rally (14th April).
Formally known as the Severn Valley Stages, the Midland Manor Motor Club organised rally has seen a name, date and championship change in 2018 which has helped to bring one of the biggest entries in a number of years to the popular forest event.
Thanks to a long-term partnership with race wear and accessory supplier Rallynuts Motorsport, the event was renamed at the end of 2017, ensuring the stability of the rally which offers 45 miles of classic rallying in the Cefn, Crychan, Gwibedog and Radnor forests.
Returning after a break of 27 years, the Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA Rally Championship has attracted a diverse and exciting entry, from World Rally Cars to historic specification machines. Also heading to the Royal Welsh Showground at the weekend are crews from the Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship, West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship.
Picking a winner from the notable entry would be a difficult task with any one of the top ten in with a shout for overall glory. 2017 BTRDA Champions Steve Petch/Michael Wilkinson could arguably be considered as favourites to better their third spot on the Cambrian Rally in their Fiesta WRC, but series leaders Paul Bird/Jack Morton will have something to say about that prediction. They will bring their older but equally as glorious Ford Focus WRC to Wales.
British Rally Championship hopefuls Matt Edwards/Darren Garrod will also be eying victory in their less powerful but nimble Ford Fiesta R5. The Welsh driver is dovetailing his BRC commitments with a BTRDA campaign. 2014 event winner and two-time runner up Luke Francis has swapped his Mitsubishi for a Fiesta WRC in 2018 and will want to take the winner’s trophy back to Denbighshire with John Roberts alongside.
Ruthin driver Hugh Hunter will wheel out his Fiesta WRC with Robb Fagg alongside and will also be one of the top Welsh Championship contenders amongst the leaders. Tom Cave from Aberdovey makes a welcome return to the stages after several months away from UK Rallying and will drive his own Subaru Impreza with Dale Bowen in the co-drivers seat.
Such is a quality of the entry, you will need to look outside the top twenty to find the first two wheel drive crew and that honour goes to last year’s Historic event winners Nick Elliott and Dave Price in their Ford Escort Mk2. Fellow British Historic Rally Championship crew Rudi Lancaster and Guy Weaver will take the fight to Elliott in their similar machine.
Spectators eager to catch the action on the stages will be well catered for this year, with three opportunities to view the cars in full flight during the day. The Crychan stage, just a few miles North East of Cynghordy, offers the chance to see two passes of the stage, at both 09:18 and 14:34.
The Radnor test, just off the A488 at Monaughty is visited just once at 12:09. For those fans who want to get a little closer to the cars and drivers, the rally base at the Royal Welsh Showground is the ideal place to visit.
Technical checks take place from 13:00 on Friday 13th at the venue. The ceremonial start gets underway from 08:30 on Saturday 14th, with the service halt scheduled for 10:43 and 13:02. Crews will start to return for the ceremonial finish from around 15:55.
The 45th running of the Rallynuts Stages Rally heralds a significant change to the event formally known as the Severn Valley Stages, as entries open this week for the re-named event on the 14th April 2018.
Established racewear and accessory firm Rallynuts Motorsport became title sponsor of the rally in 2016 and thanks to the success of the past two years, have further enhanced the partnership by signing a long-term agreement to become title sponsors until 2023.
Located in its now traditional rally base at in Builth Wells, organisers of the popular event have devised a new-for-2018 route, which offers 45 miles of classic rallying in the Cefn, Crychan, Gwibedog and Radnor forests, spread across seven stages.
To ensure the conditions of the Welsh forests are in optimum condition for all crews in the field, 31 miles will be single use, ensuring smooth roads for all competitors on the Midland Manor Motor Club organised rally.
The all-gravel event will also welcome back the Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA Rally Championship which returns after 27 years away. The rally was a round of the Gold Star Championship between 1983 and 1990 and the national rally series will undoubtedly bring a new feel to the event and along with it, a wide range of cars and crews from across the UK to the county of Powys in April.
It will once again be a qualifying round of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship, who will be joined by the West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship.
The event will retain many of its popular characteristics from the last few years, offering competitors a cost effective, compact and friendly rally in the heart of Wales.
The rally base at the Royal Welsh Showground offers a perfect location for the event thanks to its unrivalled facilities, playing host to Rally HQ, Scrutineering, attended overnight parking, service and the start and finish ceremonies.
Joint Clerk of the Course Chris Ashley believes the format of this year’s event is one of the best yet and is looking forward to welcoming both championship and non-championship crews to the event.
“Year on year we have worked really hard to ensure our event has a great route across stages that are in their prime and I think we have that just right again in 2018, especially with the significant amount of single usage on offer” he says.
“This will really help the crews further back in the field and as it’s the first time these stages will have been used this year, they will be in top condition. We are also of course delighted to welcome Rallynuts as long-term title sponsors and the despite the date, name and championship change, we are still the same great rally everyone has enjoyed in the past. It has all the ingredients of a great weekend of rallying”.
2018 Rallynuts Stages Rally is launched
Posted: November 29, 2017 9:18 AM
Midland Manor Motor Club is delighted to announce a raft of changes for next year which will see the former Severn Valley Stages undertake a new name, new date and new championships as it becomes the Rallynuts Stages Rally, running on the 14th April 2018.
The all-gravel event will enter its 45th year in 2018 and after being renamed the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages in 2016, will adopt a new title after signing a long-term agreement with leading motorsport firm, Rallynuts.
The popular rally will once again be based in Builth Wells and welcomes the BTRDA Rally Series for the first time since 1990 to the event. Moving from its traditional June date, the Rallynuts Stages has made the shift to a spring slot and will see it form round three of the national gravel championship.
It will also form round four of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship and will be joined by the West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters and the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship.
Becoming title sponsor of the rally in 2016, established racewear and accessory firm Rallynuts Motorsport had continued their support for the event into 2017 and thanks to the success of the past two years, will further enhance the partnership
Managing Director of Rallynuts Paul Bonas is excited at the agreement as the firm enters a phase of expansion at its premises in the Midlands.
“Rallynuts celebrates its 27th birthday next year and what a great way to celebrate by helping to host a round of the fantastic BTRDA Rally Championship and the new name which will see the event being called the Rallynuts Stages Rally “ says Bonas.
“Rallynuts is committed to supporting this event until at least 2023 and we look forward to welcoming many of you to this event so you can share in this fantastic rally experience. Our new Showroom opens soon in Redditch and we would be delighted to welcome everyone to our new facility in the near future."
"We are entering an exciting phase in the firm’s history and we would encourage anyone in the motorsport fraternity to try us out. We think you will be very pleasantly surprised. We are proud and excited to be part of this new round of BTRDA and welcome our existing championships back to the event. Id like wish everyone involved a great event and every success”.
More information on the event will be released soon and can be found on the event website, link below:
News Stories
Classifieds
Shop
TV Guide
Links
Upcoming 
Most