Posted: March 10, 2014 10:58 PM - 6804 Hits
Round 1 - 2014 MSA Asphalt Rally Championship
Posted: March 10, 2014 11:57 AM
Blackburn driver John Stone got his REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Championship challenge underway in great fashion with a brilliant fourth place finish on today's Tour of Epynt.
Along with Welsh co-driver Carl Williamson, the Lancastrian was again in action in the Legend Fires Skoda Fabia WRC and following the disappointment of a late retirement on the Legend Fires North West Stages last month the pair were keen to make amends on the Welsh military ranges near Llandovery.
However, things didn't get off to a great start with a ten second penalty infringement at MC1 but soon the pair were into their stride, setting sixth fastest time on the opening stage before going fourth fastest on SS2 to elevate themselves to fourth overall.
The next couple of stages were affected by accidents meaning notional times were awarded on SS3 and SS4 scrapped altogether but over the final three stages, the pair in the Dom Buckley Motorsport IRS-prepared car set about climbing the leaderboard.
Fifth fastest times on all three tests saw them secure a fine fourth place finish, albeit over a minute and a half behind the winner but nonetheless, it was a huge improvement on John's tenth place finish on last year's season opener.
John Stone:
"That's my best result on Epynt as it's never been too kind to me and it's also the best ever start to our championship. We had no major problems at all and the only issue was me not being too familiar with the final couple of stages which were run in the opposite direction to what I'm used to so I couldn't commit as I would have liked. We knew it would be hard to keep up with the three in front of us but it's a great result and gives us a very positive start to the season with some important points. We are now looking forward to the Manx Rally in a couple of months although I plan an outing somewhere between now and then to try to stave off any rustiness!"
Posted: March 10, 2014 11:54 AM
1 Damian Cole/Elliot Edmondson - Ford Focus WRC - 52:56
2 Peter Lloyd/Neil James - Subaru Impreza WRC - 52:57
3 Stephen Simpson/Patrick Walsh - Subaru Impreza WRC - 53:01
4 John Stone/Carl Williamson - Skoda Fabia WRC - 54:37
5 Robert Swann/Darren Garrod - Subaru Impreza WRC - 55:08
6 John Indri/Peter James - Subaru Impreza WRC - 55:41
7 Simon Mauger/Brian Cammack - Ford Escort Mk11 - 56:08
8 Bob Fowden/Ashley Trimble - Subaru Impreza WRX - 56:09
9 Darren Atkinson/Phil Sandham - Ford Escort Mk2 - 56:13
10 Roger Moran/Joy Hoyle - Ford Escort Mk2 - 57:03
Posted: March 4, 2014 4:01 PM
1 Stephen Simpson/Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
2 Damian Cole/Elliot Edmondson (Ford Focus WRC 05) [B14]
3 Peter Lloyd/Neil James (TBA ) [A8]
4 John Indri/Peter James (Subaru Impreza WRC) [B14]
5 Simon Mauger/Brian Cammack (Ford Escort Mk11) [B12]
6 John Stone/Carl Williamson (Skoda Fabia WRC) [B14]
7 Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt (Subaru Impreza) [A8]
8 Robert Swann/Darren Garrod (Subaru Impreza S11) [A8]
9 Graham Coffey/Howard Pridmore (Ford Fiesta WRC) [A8]
11 Bob Fowden/Ashley Trimble (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
12 Tim Wilson/Elgan Davies (Subaru Impreza WRC) [A8]
14 Adrian Spencer/Mark Hewitt (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
15 Robert Tout/Dan Holley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [N4]
16 Geoff Kitney/Ken Gibbard (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [B13]
17 Gary Le Coadou/Tony Bassett (Toyota Corolla WRC) [B14]
18 Simon Chapman/Michael Calvert (Metro 6R4) [B13]
19 Roger Moran/Joy Hoyle (Ford Escort Mk2) [B12]
20 Graham Hollis/Alan Jones (Ford Escort MK2) [B11]
21 Alan Oldfield/Ken Bills (Proton S2500) [B14]
22 Roger Hicks/Terry Martin (Ford Escort) [B12]
23 Richard Merriman/Kath Curzon (Darrian T90) [B11]
24 Richard Felgate/Mark Mason (BMW M3) [B12]
25 Alex Laffey/Jack Morton (Ford Fiesta R5) [B14]
26 David Tinn/Marc sp Fowler (Millington Proton Satria) [B14]
27 Anthony Morgan/Jonathan Hawkins (Ford Escort Harrier) [B11]
28 Ian Godney/Ceri Simpson (Renault Clio) [B11]
29 Ian Caddy/Alan Thomas (Ford Escort Mk2) [B12]
30 Toby Adam/Phil Williams (Ford Sierra) [B12]
31 Darren Underwood/Sue Underwood (Vauxhall Nova) [B10]
32 Philip Turner/Simon Anthony (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
33 Kevin Davies/Nathan Davies (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [N4]
34 Pete Rayner/Den Golding (Ford Escort Mk2) [B12]
35 Ian Kenvin/Ian Meakin (Ford Escort Mk1) [B12]
36 Jim Sharp/Craig Wallace (Mitsubishi EVO) [B13]
37 Kevin Tappin/Charles Tappin (Ford Escort Mk2) [B10]
38 Huw James/Dylan James (Ford Escort MK2) [B11]
39 Bruce Edwards/Barry Young (Darrian GTR) [B12]
41 Dan Taylor/Andy Conibear (BMW Compact) [B12]
42 Phil Turner/Siobhan Pugh (Ford Escort Mk2) [B11]
43 Sean Crowley/Emma Jones (Peugeot 205) [B11]
44 James Ford/Michael Gilbey (Citroen DS3 R3T) [B12]
45 Wynne Watkins/Sherryn Roberts (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
46 Mark Jones/Kenny Owen (Ford Focus) [B13]
47 Martin Hodgson/Tony Jones (Ford Escort) [B11]
48 Neil Weaver/Paul Wakely (Darrian T9) [B11]
49 Andy Fraser/Paul Williams (Darrian T9 V6) [B12]
50 Oliver Hopkins/David Tortoishell (Mitsubishi Evo 6) [B13]
51 Josh Payton/Marcus Mizen (Ford Escort Mk2) [B11]
52 Andy Bird/Sam Spencer (Vauxhall Chevette) [B12]
53 James Sharrock/Stuart Faulds (Ford Escort Mk2) [B12]
54 Graham Ian Butler/Walter Ainsworth (Ford Focus WRC 03) [B14]
55 Paul Evans/Lol Powell (Ford Escort Mk 2) [B12]
56 Mark Chapman/Kevin Harbour (Subaru Impreza Type R) [B13]
57 Stephen John Tilburn/Jack Benjamin Tilburn (Ford Escort Mexico) [B11]
58 Mike Taylor/Peter Grant (Talbot Lotus Sunbeam) [B12]
59 Huw Reed/Jonathan Boucard (Darrian T90) [B11]
61 Colin Price/Phil Cook (Darrian T9) [B11]
62 Tom Jones/Darren Pool (Honda Civic) [B10]
63 Stuart Bliss/Rich Marsh (Honda Civic Type R) [B10]
64 Chris Ford/Steve Hartley (Subaru Imprezza) [B13]
65 Ian Copping/Dave Rowley (Ford Focus) [B13]
66 Pat Jerome/Phil Pugh (MG ZR) [A7]
67 Kev Monaghan/Chris Purvis (Vauxhall Corsa S1600) [B10]
68 Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson (Subaru Impreza N12b) [N4]
69 Neil Spain/Ian Taylor (Ford Escort) [B11]
70 Richard Slinger/Phillip Boyle (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 RS) [B13]
71 Richard Bliss/Jamie Vaughan (Honda Civic) [B10]
72 Darren Atkinson/Phil Sandham (Ford Escort Mk2) [B12]
73 Leighton Smith/Mark Powell (Peugeot 205 Gti) [B11]
74 John Franklin-Pryce/Peter Butler (Subaru Impreza) [B13]
75 Daniel Boardman/Joe Cruttenden (HONDA CIVIC TYPE R EP3) [B11]
76 Neal James/Kevin Jones (Ford Escort) [B12]
77 Mathew Roberts/Peredur Wyn Davies (Citroen Saxo) [B10]
78 Jez MacWhirter/Tony Fisher (Mitsubishi Evo 9) [B13]
79 Simon Wallis/Peter Horsman (Subaru Impreza) [N4]
80 Wyn Owens/Jenny Evans (Ford Escort Mk2) [15]
81 Craig Jose/Nigel Hewett (Peugeot 205 GTI) [B10]
82 Geoff Glover/Keith Barker (Vauxhall Astra Mk III) [B11]
83 David Earthy/Maria Rayner (Citroen C2R2 Max) [A6]
84 Nigel Killerby/Lyndon Barton (Mitsubishi Evo 5) [B13]
85 Carwyn Watkins/David Percival (Ford Fiesta ST) [N3]
86 Clive Hilton/Kane Drabble (Ford Fiesta) [N3]
87 Tim Cains/Richard May (Peugeot 309) [B11]
88 Stephen Davies/Stuart Powell (Ford Escort) [B11]
89 Jeffrey A Simm/Graham Hutchinson (Subaru Impreza STI) [B13]
90 Mike Pugsley/Adrian Williams (Ford Escort) [B11]
91 Cathy Sewart/Mike Jones (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus) [B12]
92 Dylan Thomas/Emyr Hall (Peugeot 106) [B10]
93 Paul Clapham/Colin Watson (Peugeot 106) [B10]
94 Robert Davies/Alex Davies (BMW M3) [B12]
95 Martyn Quant/Eilir Williams (Vauxhall Corsa) [B9]
96 Michael Stewart/Paul Corbin (Ford Escort) [B11]
97 Hywel Greves/Rob Leeman (VW Polo 6n GTI) [B10]
98 Andrew Bowen/Arfon Griffiths (Peugeot 205) [B10]
99 Alison Lock/Russell Joseph (BL Mini) [B9]
100 Nik Artley/Andrew Barlow (Ford Escort) [B12]
101 Andy Hawkins/Devlyn Johnson (Volkswagen Golf) [B11]
102 Nathan Jones/Tim Murphy (Ford Escort Mk1) [B12]
103 Arwel Davies/Abigail Summerfield (Peugeot 205 Gti) [15]
104 Wayne Ellis/Gareth Price (Peugeot 205) [B11]
105 David Morgan/Richard Suter (Darrian T9) [B9]
106 Gareth Shanklin/Tom Wood (Proton ) [15]
107 Aaron Jones/Ryan Jones (Nissan Micra) [B9]
108 Ian Kelly/Margaret Kelly (Nissan Micra) [B9]
109 Keegan Rees/Daniel Reid (Nissan Micra) [B9]
110 Graeme Ross/Guy Robinson (Peugeot 205 XS) [B9]
111 Jonatah Jones/Jeremy Rogers (Ford Fiesta R1) [N2]
Posted: February 27, 2014 5:04 PM
Defending REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Champion Damian Cole has finished runner-up on the opening round of the series, the Tour of Epynt (9th March), for the past two years - in 2013 he lost out on top spot by the narrowest of margins when a tie-break had to be invoked. So, with Elliott Edmondson installed in the co-driver’s seat of his Ford Focus WRC this season, can the Hereford driver go one better this time and lead the Championship from the off?
Starting ahead of him will be 2013 Tour of Epynt winners Steve Simpson/Patrick Walsh in their Subaru Impreza WRC. It is, however, a different car to the one that kept the 2007 Asphalt Champion in the hunt for a second title last year until problems with an oil leak caused them to withdraw prematurely from the final round.
In a (provisional) Top 15 featuring no less than nine Imprezas, Epynt expert Peter Lloyd and Neil James are next, while John Indri, accompanied by Peter James, has forsaken his Darrian T90 GTR and joins the ranks of Subaru owners.
Simon Mauger and 2013 MSA Asphalt Champion Co-driver Brian Cammack are at No.5 in their Ford Escort MkII, eager not only to gain overall points but also to maintain their dominance in the Millington Rear-Wheel Drive Challenge which they won last year.
John Stone/Carl Williamson return with their Skoda Fabia WRC - a lean period mid- season in 2013 was brought to a halt by 2nd overall on the Cheviot Keith Knox Stages in October, a result which should give the crew confidence for the new campaign. Joining them in a World Rally Car for the first time are Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt who, following the demise of their Metro 6R4 on the ALMC Stages last July, have acquired an Impreza.
Newcomers to the Asphalt Championship, Robert Swann/Darren Garrod have an Impreza S11, whilst an established crew with a new car for this season are Graham Coffey/Howard Pridmore in the former’s recently-acquired Ford Fiesta WRC. The Top Ten is rounded off by Carlisle’s Peter Taylor who has enlisted Andrew Roughead to co-drive, but has yet to nominate a car....
Other World Rally Cars in the superb entry include Tim Wilson/Elgan Davies in an Impreza, Graham Butler/Walter Ainsworth in their ex Hugh Hunter Ford Focus and the Toyota Corolla of Gary Le Coadou/Tony Bassett. Meanwhile, Alex Laffey/Jack Morton have swopped their Fiesta S2000 for an R5 version and Alex will be hoping to improve on his 7th overall finish in the 2013 Championship.
Somewhat of an unknown quantity for the new season are the Proton Satrias of Alan Oldfield/Ken Bills and David Tinn/Marc Fowler. The Millington-engined cars are certainly potent but, as yet, untried in amongst Asphalt Championship competition.
Former Group N Champions Rob Tout/Dan Holley will be hoping to put the disaster that was 2013 behind them and return to their winning ways in their Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9. Competition this season comes from the Imprezas of Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson and Wynne Watkins/Sherryn Roberts.
In the absence of some of the quicker Darrian T90 GTRs that were ever-present last year, Simon Mauger/Brian Cammack’s Ford Escort must start as one of the favourites for the Millington Rear-Wheel Drive Challenge. 2012 victors Richard Felgate/Mark Mason are back in their BMW M3, as are the (Millington-engined!) Escorts of Pete Rayner, James Sharrock and Paul Evans. Darrians will still feature and already those of Bruce Edwards, Huw Reed and Richard Merriman have committed to join the series. Adding even more variety to the category will be a brace of Talbot Sunbeam Lotuses in the hands of Mike Taylor/Peter Grant and Cathy Sewart/TBA.
AB Motorsport has taken on the mantle of supporting the FWD Challenge and, in the absence of the winners for the past couple of years, Matt Beebe (2012) and Tim Daltry (2013), the opportunity is there for some new blood to occupy the upper echelons of the table. Kev Monaghan/Chris Purvis (Vauxhall Corsa S1600) and Darren & Sue Underwood (Vauxhall Nova) will be vying for top honours, but it goes without saying that there will be plenty of others joining the fray!
Fuchs Titan Race are continuing with both their award of £500 worth of product support for the 2015 season to the highest-placed 1400cc car at the end of the season and the £50 vouchers on each of the eight rounds of the Championship for the driver deemed to have achieved the ‘Best Improvement on Seeding’.
The crew from ‘Special Stage’ will be filming the Tour of Epynt for subsequent broadcast on Motors TV – this particular programme is scheduled for transmission at 22.00 on Friday 21st March. If you have a story to tell, but have been unable to speak to one of the team, forms are available on the ‘Special Stage’ website, but you must be quick! The broadcast schedule shows programmes to be aired a week sooner after each event than in 2013, giving the producers less time to sort everything out.
Contenders for the REIS MSA Asphalt Rally Championship can count their best five scores from the eight-event calendar towards their final tally,
Those competitors who have yet to register for the Championship are asked to Register before the Event on the BTRDA membership website, where you can join or renew your membership and register for the Championship. It is very straight-forward and you can pay using your credit or debit card. The website address is https://www.btrdamembership.com/index.php
If you don't want to register on-line, you can still do so at Event Documentation but it would save time if you came with the form already fully completed (in capitals please) and the correct payment. If you haven't got a form, you can download it from the Championship website.
Following seven special stages, totalling 80 miles, on the Epynt Military Ranges, the first car is due back at the Castle Hotel in Llandovery for the finish at 4.30pm on the Sunday afternoon.
Posted: January 9, 2014 11:09 AM
The Tour of Epynt will be the opening round of the 2014 MSA Asphalt
It will again be based at the Castle Hotel in Llandovery, and consist of
approximately 80 special stage miles, with one central Service Area. Signing on will be on Saturday the 8th with the event starting at 09.00 on Sunday the 9th.
Despite continued cost increases we have kept the entry fee down to the 2013 fee.
The 2013 event was oversubscribed with entries so please get your entries in.
Regulations will be available shortly from the club web site.