Tour of Epynt - 4 Mar 07

Posted: March 21, 2007 3:10 PM

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11/03/2007
Epynt Fuel Testing - Excluded competitors statement
Further to an article published in Mtorsport News on 7/3/2007, we, (The excluded competitors on the Tour of Epynt Rally 2007), wish to make a necessary statement on the actual happenings, and clarify some mis-reported actions.

Further to the cessation of the rally on the penultimate stage due to dangerous weather conditions, all remaining crews were asked to return to the final control at the rear of the Castle Hotel in Llandovery. Upon arrival in the car park we were issued with a written instruction to report to “Post Event Scrutineering” within 5 minutes, and ignore the final control, which we could revisit in the Hotel Ballroom, upon completion of scrutineering. All 6 crews agreed, and negotiated the unidentified route. Upon arrival at the premises, Mr.Colin Salkeld asked all 6 crews to provide fuel samples.

After much debate it was decided to wait for vehicles to “Cool Down” before fuel extraction should begin. In the intervening time period, several discussions were entered into how the fuel would be removed, and what responsibilities lay with competitors, organisers, and MSA officials especially in relation to insurance. Further to a lack of clear instruction, the owner of the premises REFUSED to allow ANY fuel testing to be carried out, and the situation remained “In Limbo” for a further hour, until eventually all crews were individually called in to be issued with “Non Compliance Forms”, for refusing to provide fuel samples. In light of this, we wish to make the following points to clear the air on certain points which have been raised during the last week.

1. No crew refused to provide a fuel sample

2. The owner of the premises refused to allow fuel sampling to take place

3. The MSA Scrutineers were not in a position to provide an alternative location for fuel testing

4. All of the equipment provided by the MSA for testing, was left unattended for 97 minutes, whilst they had other discussions.

5. We absolutely reject the insinuation by Mr. Colin Salkeld and Mr.Colin Hilton that ANY of the 6 competitors were in breach of ANY regulation on the Tour of Epynt Rally, before, during or after the event.

6. We have been excluded from a rally for not being able to comply with Health & Safety regulations, in which we were involved directly on the instructions of the MSA

7. We in no way hold Port Talbot Motor Club responsible for these actions, and sympathise with the way that a difficult event, due to weather, turned into a fiasco

We then handed in our time cards to the final control at 17.52, upon which we were all excluded 36 minutes later. The co-drivers of Cars 1, 6,11,22 and 48 queried this decision and upon rejection, the crews were asked by Port Talbot Motor Club officials, not to protest the decision, as it was a clubman event, and in the best interest of the other competitors, to allow the by now sombre prize giving to take place, which was duly agreed to by the crews.

Copies of the “Non compliance Report”, and a letter from the “Proprietor of the premises” as published in Motorsport News are available.

Further to this statement we all agree that the current regulations are improper, and require urgent intervention. We also agree that the type of fuel to be allowed for use on MSA governed rallies, should be in compliance with FIA regulations, and similar to all other ASN’s.We also agree to fully cooperate with any investigation carried out by the MSA, but as of this moment in time, none of the mentioned competitors have received any contact from the MSA.

Car no 1 : Melvyn Evans Sean Mullally Subaru WRC
Car no 6 : Steve Hendy Aled Davies Ford Focus WRC
Car no 10: John Stone Lee Carter Hyundai WRC
Car no 11: Bob Fowden Martin Jones Subaru WRC
Car no 22: Robert Tout Dan Holley Mitsubishi Evo 9
Car no 48: Geoff Tremblett Dylan Jenkins Mark 2 Escort

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MSA Fuel Statement
Following the exclusion of six competitors from last weekend Tour of Epynt, Colin Hilton MSA Chief Executive makes the following statement:

"The current regulations that specify that fuel must be 100 Octane or below have actually been in place for more than a decade. It is the MSA's duty to enforce the rules and to ensure a level playing field for all.

"As with all legislation, the regulations were created by the Motor Sports Council, and the MSA merely administers and enforces them. The fuel regulations were examined again last year by the Motor Sports Council's 'Fuels Working Group', which comprises fuel experts, championship representatives and technical experts. They concluded that a 100 Octane limit was the best choice of fuel (in relation to championship regulations that require the use of 'pump fuel') in order to satisfy the requirements of widespread availability and economic considerations. The limit of 100 Octane is in widespread use throughout Europe and indeed the rest of the world.

"The MSA last year set aside a budget to finance a random fuel testing programme to begin in 2007. Our plans were announced in July 2006 in order to give people plenty of notice that fuel-testing would occur to enforce the regulations. Unfortunately, it seems that some competitors chose to actively ignore this warning.

"The opposition among a certain section of the rallying community during the past week has been ill-informed and out of all proportion. We will certainly not allow a section of the sport to be held to ransom by a minority of vociferous individuals who think that by threats and financial leverage they can change the rules to satisfy their own ends.

"We have had a huge amount of support from the wider rallying community, particularly from the vast majority of competitors who abide by the regulations and consequently suffer a performance disadvantage compared to some of their rivals who may be running illegal fuel.

"The MSA, however, does have the ability to ask the Motor Sports Council to reconsider their decision if it believes that further consideration is in the best interests of the sport. The MSA will therefore hold its own investigation to examine this regulation and to decide whether the conclusion of the Council's Fuels Working Group was correct. We will be undertaking this investigation within the next two weeks and hope to have concluded a report by the end of March.

"In the meantime, we would urge all competitors to adhere to the regulations as laid down in the Blue Book."

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SIMPSON WINS ON EPYNT… After Top 6 get Excluded
STEVE SIMPSON/MARK BOOTH (Hyundai Accent WRC) were declared winners of the John Price Rallying Tour of Epynt after atrocious weather on the Ranges forced the organisers to cancel the final stage of the day.

However, celebrations at the end of the opening round of the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship were marred by wranglings and subsequent exclusions following Post-Event Scrutineering (see separate story).

Port Talbot Motor Club had received their best entry for years for the Tour of Epynt and, likewise, registrations for both the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship & BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series were very encouraging. The first car away from the start was the Subaru Impreza WRC of Epynt winner in 2004/5, MELVYN EVANS co-driven by SEAN MULLALLY. Behind them were the similar car of 2006 Asphalt Championship runners-up, TONY DAVIES/PATRICK WALSH, and defending champions DAVID KYNASTON/ANDY RUSSELL (Audi A3 Quattro). Indeed, nine of the top ten starters were setting out on the road to take the 2007 Asphalt title.

Torrential rain and driving winds made the going treacherous right from the outset, with discretion being the better part of valour when it came to staying on the road. Davies/Walsh were fastest on the opener, from Evans/Mullally and John & Caroline Price (MG Metro 6R4).

Evans/Mullally took FTD on the next stage which moved them into a lead they maintained for the rest of the day until the aforementioned problems at the finish. Also affected were STEVE HENDY/ALED DAVIES who had been having a fine run in their Ford Focus WRC, Class B13 leaders JOHN STONE/LEE CARTER (Hyundai Accent WRC), ROB TOUT/DAN HOLLEY (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9) who had been the dominant force in N4, and leading BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series runner GEOFF TREMBLETT whose Escort RS was leading Class B12.

On an event where out-and-out power was not necessarily an advantage, 3rd overall, and second Championship points scorers, were MARK WORLEY/ HAMISH CAMPBELL in their Group N Subaru Impreza, while the Ford Escort RS of GRAHAM HOLLIS was 5th.

NICK JAMES improved on his top ten finish in 2006 by taking 7th in his Mitsubishi Lancer EVO8, one place ahead of SIMON MAUGER/BRIAN CAMMACK (Ford Escort RS). One of the ‘Drives of the Rally’ came from RICHARD CLEWS/BARRY JAMES whose 1600cc Mechatronics-sponsored Peugeot 106 finished 9th overall.

MARK JASPER/DON WHYATT had a troubled day in their new Ford Escort WRC, eventually arriving back in Llandovery to take 12th place, just four seconds in front of 2006 Clubman’s Cup winners ROB & PAULA ALDERMAN (Ford Escort RS).

The highest-placed BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series competitors were ADRIAN SPENCER/MARK HEWITT whose Subaru Impreza was 13th.

With contenders for the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship & BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series making up almost 50% of the total entry, it is impossible to chart everyone’s progress. However, mention should be made of 16-years old CHRIS DAVIES who was co-driving for his father, KARL, in a Subaru Impreza. Carefully avoiding all the pitfalls that claimed so many, the pair completed the event in 42nd place and Chris’ efforts on his first event at this level were rewarded with the ‘John Price Rallying Star Drive’ salver.

The next event in the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship is the RBS – International Manx Rally on 11/12th May, whilst contenders for the BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series don’t have so long to wait as they will reconvene for the Vospers Tour of Cornwall on 23/24th March.

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POST-EVENT SCRUTINEERING FUELS CONTROVERSY
On the specific instruction of the MSA, and based on event results as they were known at the time, six cars were summoned to Post-Event Scrutineering by the organisers of the John Price Rallying Tour of Epynt, the opening round of the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship, on Sunday 4th March.

Fuel samples were requested from each vehicle, five of which were registered for either the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship or BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series.

While no fuel was actually tested, the subsequent chain of events led to all six crews being excluded from the final results, with Championship penalties, as outlined in the MSA Competitor’s Year Book 2007 – Article O3.5.2, being imposed on the five crews in question.

As an MSA-sanctioned Championship, the Asphalt Rally Championship is duty-bound to abide by the regulations as laid out in the Competitor’s Year Book.

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Full Results:
North East Rally Services

PORT TALBOT MOTOR CLUB (TOUR OF EPYNT RALLY)

• 2007 MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship

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PRE EVENT NEWS

• Rally Preview - QUALITY – AND QUANTITY!...
• Event Details
• Regulations available

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21/02/07
Rally Preview - QUALITY – AND QUANTITY!...
The 2007 Legend Fires MSA Asphalt Rally Championship and Legend Fires BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series both begin on the Epynt Military Ranges, in the Brecon Beacons, on Sunday 4th March with the JOHN PRICE RALLYING TOUR OF EPYNT. The organisers, Port Talbot Motor Club Ltd, have not only received almost 100 entries, making it the best supported for years, but the quality is also there for all to see!

2006 Epynt winner John Bogie announced his retirement at the end of last season and, in deference to his victory the previous year, the No.1 slot goes to MELVYN EVANS (Subaru Impreza WRC). Accompanied by SEAN MULLALLY, Melvyn has registered for the Legend Fires Championship this year and must be regarded as a leading contender for the title.

However, right behind him are 2006 Championship runners-up, TONY DAVIES & PATRICK WALSH in another Impreza WRC. They were leading the Tour of Epynt last year until a problem on the start line of the final stage cost them valuable time and dropped them to 3rd in the final results.

Defending Asphalt Rally Champions, DAVID KYNASTON/ANDY RUSSELL, start at No.3 in their distinctive Audi A3 Quattro and, putting aside for one moment their huge accident on the Mewla Rally a few years ago, their speed over the Epynt Ranges is proven. The Devonian crew’s 2007 programme is not yet finalised, but a good result on the first Championship round would, doubtless, assist them in the decision-making process!

Multiple Welsh Tarmac Champion DAMIAN COLE (Subaru Impreza WRC) is joining the Legend Fires MSA Championship regulars this year and the Get Connected! boss starts in front of the similar car of PETER LLOYD/GRAHAM HANDLEY.

2003 Asphalt Champions STEVE HENDY/ALED DAVIES make their debut in a recently-acquired Ford Focus WRC on Epynt, while event sponsor and 12-times series winner JOHN PRICE starts behind them in his faithful Metro 6R4.

Championship sponsor JOHN STONE, and co-driver LEE CARTER, start their first full season in their Hyundai Accent WRC and will be looking to improve on their 6th place on Epynt last year.

The Top 10 Starters on the John Price Rallying Tour of Epynt are as follows :
1 Melvyn Evans/Sean Mullally Subaru Impreza WRC
2 Tony Davies/Patrick Walsh Subaru Impreza WRC
3 David Kynaston/Andy Russell Audi A3 Quattro
4 Damian Cole/Craig Drew Subaru Impreza WRC
5 Peter Lloyd/Graham Handley Subaru Impreza WRC
6 Steve Hendy/Aled Davies Ford Focus WRC
7 John Price/Caroline Price MG Metro 6R4
8 Steve Simpson/Mark Booth Hyundai Accent WRC
9 Lyndon Barton/Simon Hunter Subaru Impreza WRC
10 John Stone/Lee Carter Hyundai Accent WRC

The Group N contingent are led by 2006 Champions BOB DENNIS/RON ROUGHEAD and, this year, they will be be joined in Subarus by CHRIS RICE and Prima Motorsport boss MARK WORLEY. As ever, they will be up against a brace of Mitsubishi Lancer EVOs in the hands of, amongst others, MARK MORGAN and STEPHEN TAYLOR.

Meanwhile, contenders for the revised Legend Fires BTRDA Asphalt Rally Series are led by the Darrian T90 of CHRIS DAVIES/BRANDON PARKER. Registrations have exceeded all expectations and a very competitive season is in prospect.

Spectators are welcomed, although they are asked to access the rally ONLY via the ‘Dual Carriageway’ from the A40 at Llywel. A charge per car will be levied and proceeds will go the Air Ambulance of Wales in recognition of the vital work the service can – and does – provide to motorsport in times of emergency.

Ten of the fifteen stages can be viewed from Dixies Corner, where the first run will start at 8.50am. The penultimate stage of the rally will see cars passing the spectator area from 2.40pm.

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20/01/07
The event will be of a similar format to previous years, based at the Castle Hotel, Llandovery and STARTING on the Epynt Ranges. The route will consist of approximately 80 special stage miles over 15 stages, with one central Service Area, finishing at the Castle Hotel, Llandovery where the awards ceremony will take place.

Regulations and Further Details:

PORT TALBOT MOTOR CLUB (TOUR OF EPYNT RALLY)

• 2007 MSA National Asphalt Rally Championship