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Posted: February 7, 2014 11:26 AM
Euan Thorburn & Paul Beaton (Ford Focus WRC) SS4
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Posted: August 27, 2013 12:15 PM
Welsh Rally Championship Set For Thrilling Conclusion
Posted: August 27, 2013 12:06 PM
Competitors in the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship are back in action this weekend (August 31st) following a seven week break and, with two rounds of the Championship remaining, the battle for the Championship title as well as many of the class honours remains wide open.
All four of the frontrunners for the overall title have entered the Sixty and Worcestershire Motor Club organised Woodpecker Stages Rally. For Ireland’s Connor McCloskey that has meant long hours of rebuilding after he rolled his Subaru Impreza heavily on the previous Championship round, the Nicky Grist Stages.
Currently fourth in the Championship, McCloskey competes in a World Rally car while third placed Keith Parry from Llangefni, co-driven by Llanon’s Eryl Evans is in a Class B13, modified, Impreza. On paper at least that should give them an advantage, particularly in the high speed sections of the Radnor Forest stages which form a large part of the Ludlow based event’s route, over the Group N, near showroom specification, cars of the Championship’s two leading drivers.
Second placed Alex Allingham, from Winsford, however, is renowned for his quick performances on the event’s Haye Park stage while Championship leader Luke Francis, from Rhuddlan and co-driver John H Roberts of Colwyn Bay have already proved that they can be a match for anyone in the Mitsubishi Evo IX.
Amongst the close class battles, three drivers all aged under 25 are fighting it out for Class Three honours with all three in action this weekend. Harry Gardner currently leads the standings in his Peugeot 106 ahead of the ever reliable Nissan Micra of young Welshpool driver James Watkins, co-driven by Richard Suter from Chepstow. Meanwhile, Irish driver Kris Farrell returns to the fray after rebuilding the engine on his Proton.
In Class 5, the battle is between the Mark II Ford Escorts of David Lloyd Roberts from Bala and Ellesmere’s John Baker. Roberts also heads the two wheel drive category. Co-drivers’ honours are equally fiercely contested and with Dei Jones from Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant missing the Woodpecker there is a chance for Llanelli’s Seyyan John to stake a claim for the Class 5 title.
With around 120 cars entered, the Woodpecker Stages Rally starts from Ludlow Racecourse at 8.30am on Saturday and there are spectator facilities on two of the stages. Parking will be available for £5 per car.
The Haye Park car park entrance (map reference 137 / 474732) is on the minor road between Ludlow and Wigmore. Catering, a commentary and toilet facilities will be available. The cars visit Haye Park twice, first car due for SS3 at 11:00 and for SS5 at 14:50.
The Radnor Forest car park entrance (137 / 236682) is on the A488 just south of Monaughty (junction of the A488 and B4356). Parking is on forest tracks, follow the spectator arrows. The car park provides access to SS2, first car due at 09:40, and SS4, first car due at 13:15.
Regulations / Details / Entries Received
Posted: August 15, 2013 11:51 AM
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