Posted: November 21, 2017 8:45 AM - 5175 Hits
Round 6 - 2017 MSA British Historic Rally Championship
Round 4 - 2017 R.A.C. Historic Asphalt Championship
Posted: November 21, 2017 8:45 AM
Rob Smith and Alun Cook took their second victory in the 2017 Fuchs Lubricants R.A.C. Historic Asphalt Rally Championship on round four, the Harry Flatters Rally on Sunday 30 July.
For the first time this season, the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship and the Fuchs Lubricants R.A.C. Historic Asphalt Championship came together on the same event and a mighty battle for top Fuchs points raged between Smith/Cook and Neil Williams/Sion Jones in their Ford Escort Mk2s. After a tremendous day-long battle on Epynt, Cook took the championship maximum by just five seconds.
The Fuchs Lubricants R.A.C. Historic Asphalt Rally Championship is organised by the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club and is a dedicated asphalt championship for all categories of historic stage rally cars.
There was little to choose between Smith and Williams across five long and fast stages and heading into the final stage Williams had a one-second advantage. However, a big attack by Smith turned the tables and he won by five seconds.
“We bent the steering rack on a big jump on stage two, but we changed it at service and it has been a really good day,” said Smith. “It has been a fantastic dice and the car has been perfect: I’ve not had a battle like that for a long time,” said Williams after another storming Epynt performance.
There was another big battle for third among the R.A.C. contenders as Roger Moran/Keaton Williams (BMW M3) headed Guy Woodcock/Dave Williams (Escort Mk2) by five seconds. Moran had a trouble-free day in the crowd-pleasing BMW while Woodcock was settling back in to the Escort after a gap of 10 months.
Close behind Moran and Woodcock came one of the drives of the rally from David Kynaston and Jack Bowen in the mighty Triumph TR7 V8. They pushed hard and set some impressive stage times to finish ahead of the BMW M3 of Paul Smith/Tudor Jenkins and the Escort Mk2 of Barry Stevenson-Wheeler/John Pickavance. “I loved it,” said Smith after only his second rally. “It’s all coming together.”
Dick Mauger/Geno Gouveia (Escort Mk2) joined the championship runners for the first time and finished just ahead of another day-long battle as Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride (Porsche 911) headed Graham Patten/Pauline Hale (Datsun 240Z) by six seconds. Nutt had a clear run while Patten really enjoyed his first Epynt event. “I love it and will come back,” he said.
Posted: August 14, 2017 6:18 AM
Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke took an important victory in round six of the 2017 Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship, the Harry Flatters Rally on Epynt (Sunday 30 July).
The result gives Pritchard and Clarke a shot at a third title if they can take maximum points from the remaining three rounds. Championship leaders Nick Elliott and Dave Price were edged back to fourth on the asphalt event by Rob Smith/Alun Cook and Neil Williams/Sion Jones after a tremendous four-way battle of Ford Escort Mk2s.
The annual charge over the demanding Epynt ranges was a very well-received event and the crews enjoyed five long stages, each of around 14 miles. The Brecon Motor Club rally ran slickly all day and the serious rain held off until crews were back in Brecon for the finish.
Pritchard was on the wrong tyres for the opening stage and dropped 17s as a result. Meanwhile, Elliott took the lead from Williams and Smith but a spin on the second stage cost Elliott a few seconds and it was Smith who went narrowly ahead of Williams. However a heavy landing near the start of the stage left Smith contending with a bent steering rack. After a precautionary gearbox change following SS2, Pritchard really attacked on the third test and went nine seconds faster than anyone to take a three-second lead.
The fourth stage was a repeat of SS3 running from east to west across the ranges and Pritchard took another eight seconds from his rivals and, even though Smith topped the final test by three seconds, Pritchard had done enough to secure his first BHRC win of the season. Second place was only settled on the final stage when Smith’s attack turned a one-second advantage for Williams into a five-second deficit, while Elliott was close behind in fourth.
Rudi Lancaster and Guy Weaver were a minute further back as the best of the rest, while Tim Freeman/Paul Williams beat Simon Webster/Jez Rogers by just a second in a close contest further down the overall top 10.
Into eighth in the BHRC ranks went Barry Stevenson-Wheeler/John Pickavance after a trying opening stage when a brand new rev limiter refused to allow their Escort Mk2 to run at more than 6000rpm. Phil and Mick Squires had a good run to ninth while first in the Capital Construction Category 2 was the Escort Mk1 of Andrew Stokes and Adrian McNally. The final stage of the rally was named in honour of Andrew’s late brother David, as the 2015 Harry Flatters was his final rally.
Phil Jobson/Arwel Jenkins ran out of suitable tyres for their Escort Mk1 on SS4 and dropped time, to finish a frustrating 13s down on Category 2 rival Stokes, while Ben Friend and Cliffy Simmons struggled through the first two stages with a chronic misfire and lost around five minutes as a result. Leading the 1600cc cars in Category 2 was the Escort Mk1 of John Williams/Gethin Sollis while the Vintage Car Radiator Co Category 1 was again won by the Mini Cooper of Phil Harris and Richard Suter. A fifth category win from five starts means that Harris and Suter are now secure as Category 2 champions.
Posted: August 14, 2017 6:16 AM
Posted: July 21, 2017 3:59 AM
The 2017 Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship stays on asphalt for round six, the Harry Flatters Rally (Sunday 30 July). After this event, there is a summer break before the season continues on the closed public roads of the Isle of Man.
The Harry Flatters on the challenging Epynt ranges in Wales is an important round of the season-long battle between current BHRC leaders Nick Elliott and Dave Price and defending champions Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke in a contest of Ford Escort Mk2s.
The Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club promotes the MSA BHRC under a five-year contract and 2017 will be the third year of that agreement. The calendar covers five gravel and three asphalt rallies, with a double-header on the Isle of Man in September to make nine rounds. The team at Special Stage will film all eight events to give the BHRC some of the best TV exposure in British rallying.
A straight run of four wins on the opening four gravel rallies was exactly what Elliott and Price needed ahead of the switch to asphalt. Elliott has very limited experience on asphalt, while Pritchard is equally at home on asphalt or gravel. However, when they headed to Ireland for round five on the ALMC Stages earlier in July, neither crew finished. Pritchard was sidelined by a minor electrical failure and Elliott slid into a ditch.
Now comes the charge over Epynt and another chance for Pritchard to claw back some points. However, new to the mix by scoring maximum points in Ireland was the RSR Historic Engineering Escort Mk2 of Rob Smith and Alun Cook, who are only tackling the asphalt events this season. Pritchard has better knowledge of Epynt than his rivals but it’s going to be a long, tough day on the ranges. Added to the lead contest will be the Ford Escort Mk2 of former Epynt winner Neil Williams.
Leading the chase of this quartet will be several more very quick Escort Mk2s, including the cars of Rudi Lancaster/Guy Weaver, Tim Freeman/Paul Williams, Simon Webster/Jez Rogers and Phil and Mick Squires. Ranged against the Escorts will be the Triumph TR7 V8 of David Kynaston, a man who well knows the challenge offered by Epynt.
In class D3, for the Pinto-powered Escorts in Category 3, Ben Friend and Cliffy Simmons are consistently setting a mighty pace against the more powerful cars, although this will be Ben’s first event on the full Epynt stages.
The Capital Construction Category 2 is topped by Phil Jobson and Arwel Jenkins in their Escort Mk1, with opposition from Andrew Stokes and Adrian McNally in the Escort Mk1 previously campaigned by Andrew’s late brother David. In class C2, for the 1600cc cars, Mal Bayliss/Siobhan Pugh take on the similar car of John Williams/Gethin Sollis. In the Vintage Car Radiator Company Category 1, the Mini Cooper of Phil Harris and Richard Suter will be chasing its fifth win of the season.
Posted: July 21, 2017 3:53 AM
Local ace Neil Williams head the contenders in the 2017 Fuchs Lubricants R.A.C. Historic Asphalt Rally Championship into round four, the Harry Flatters Rally on Sunday 30 July.
For the first time this season, the Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship and the Fuchs Lubricants R.A.C. Historic Asphalt Championship come together on the same event and Williams is aiming for a big score in both championships at a venue where his front-running pace is firmly established.
The Fuchs Lubricants R.A.C. Historic Asphalt Rally Championship is organised by the Roger Albert Clark Rally Motor Club and is a dedicated asphalt championship for all categories of historic stage rally cars.
Round four of the asphalt championship brings crews back to Epynt after round three on the Mini Epynt Stages at the beginning of June. Aiming for another victory on these familiar stages will be Williams from West Wales in his Escort Mk2, this time with Sion Jones co-driving.
Aiming to rival Williams are Rob Smith/Alun Cook, who will also be aiming to score points in both championships and Barry Stevenson-Wheeler/John Pickavance (Escort Mk2). However, two stunning BMW M3s will surely be on the pace to the delight of the fans and it is Roger Moran/Keaton Williams who have the better knowledge of Epynt. Joining them, after making his rally debut last time out, will be Paul Smith in his M3 with Tudor Jenkins on the notes. As the stages dried on the Mini Epynt, regular racer Smith got more and more used to the new challenge of rallying.
Adding more variety to the field will be the Category 1 leading Porsche 911 of Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride and the immaculate Datsun 240Z of Graham Patten and Pauline Hale. More rapid Escorts are entered for Lyndon Barton/Simon Hunter and Dick Mauger.
The Harry Flatters Rally is organised by Brecon Motor Club.
Posted: July 11, 2017 4:22 PM
1 Damian Cole/Paul Morris (Ford Fiesta WRC) [M9 - Nat B]
2 Stephen Simpson/Patrick Walsh (Ford Fiesta R5) [ - Nat B]
3 Bob Fowden/Paul Wakley (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [M9 - Nat B]
4 Eian Pritchard/Steve McPhee (TBC ) [ - Nat A]
5 Adrian Spencer/Mark Hewitt (Subaru Impreza WRC S11) [M9 - Nat B]
6 Andy Fraser/Michael Calvert (Darrian T9V6) [M5 - Nat B]
7 Gareth Richards/Ian Jones (Darrian T90) [M5 - Nat B]
8 Robert Tout/Dylan James (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [M6 - Nat B]
9 Huw Reed/Anthony D Hackett (Darrian T90 GTR) [M5 - Nat B]
10 Richard Clews/TBA (Subaru B13) [ - Nat B]
11 Geoff Kitney/Mark Crisp (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [M6 - Nat B]
12 Jason Tauber Pritchard/Phil Clarke (Ford Escort RS1800) [G2 - Nat A]
14 Neil Williams/Sion Jones (Ford Escort RS1800) [D5 - Nat A]
15 Nick Elliott/Dave Price (Ford Escort) [D5 - Nat A]
16 Rob Smith/Alun Cook (Ford Escort RS1800) [D5 - Nat A]
17 Guy Woodcock/TBA (Ford Escort) [D5 - Nat A]
18 Richard Merriman/Kath Curzon (Darrian T90) [M3 - Nat B]
19 Phil Turner/Ian Meakin (Ford Escort Mk2) [M3 - Nat B]
20 Graham Hollis/Alan Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) [M3 - Nat B]
21 Tony Rees/Geraint Thomas (Darrian GTR) [M5 - Nat B]
23 Ian Godney/TBA (Renault Clio) [M3 - Nat B]
24 T.Terry Brown/Den Golding (Ford Escort Mk2) [M5 - Nat B]
25 Roger Moran/Keaton Williams (BMW M3) [G2 - Nat A]
26 Rudi Lancaster/Guy Weaver (Ford Escort RS1800) [G2 - Nat A]
27 Tim Freeman/Paul Williams (Ford Escort RS1800) [D5 - Nat A]
28 Christopher Stanfield/Sarah Edwards (Peugeot 106 Maxi) [M2 - Nat B]
29 Oliver Hopkins/Ian Taylor (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [M6 - Nat B]
30 Chris Simmons/Andy Moss (Darrian T9 GTR) [M3 - Nat B]
32 Mark Gamble/Stephen Link (Subaru Impreza) [M8 - Nat B]
33 Dewi Bowen/David Owen (Ford Escort Mk2) [MG2 - Nat B]
34 Bob Gibbons/Dale Gibbons (Ford Escort) [C5 - Nat A]
35 Jez Baudains/Neil James (Ford Escort Mk2) [M5 - Nat B]
36 Simon Webster/Jez Rogers (Ford Escort RS1800) [D5 - Nat A]
37 Ben Friend/Cliffy Simmons ( ) [D3 - Nat A]
38 Barry Stevenson-Wheeler/John Pickavance (Ford Escort RS1800) [D5 - Nat A]
39 Robert James/Dean Wiltshire (Ford Escort RS Cosworth) [M6 - Nat B]
40 David Kynaston/TBA (Triumph TR7) [MD4 - Nat B]
41 Phil Squires/Mick Squires (Ford Escort RS1800) [D5 - Nat A]
42 Lyndon Barton/Simon Hunter (Ford Escort Mk2) [D3 - Nat A]
43 Paul Smith/Tudor Jenkins (BMW M3) [MG2 - Nat B]
44 Tim Hill/Paul Spooner (Ford Fiesta R2T) [M3 - Nat B]
45 Tim Seipel/Val Thompson (MG ZR) [M2 - Nat B]
46 Phil Jobson/Arwel Jenkins (Ford Escort) [C5 - Nat A]
47 Wayne Bonser/Rich Aston (Ford Escort RS2000) [C3 - Nat A]
48 Alex Moore/TBA (Subaru Impreza) [M6 - Nat B]
49 Steve Hopewell/Mike Smith (Ford Escort Mk2) [M3 - Nat B]
50 Jonathan Davies/Tom Wood (Darrian T9) [M5 - Nat B]
51 Andrew Stokes/Adrian McNally (Ford Escort RS1600) [C3 - Nat A]
52 Leighton Smith/Mark Powell (Peugeot 205 GTi) [M4 - Nat B]
53 Malcolm 'Tar' Jones/Rhys Jones (Peugeot 206 Cup Car) [M7 - Nat B]
54 Jason Gardner/Adie Williams (Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800) [D3 - Nat A]
55 Andrew Turner/Richard Winstanley (Honda Civic) [M2 - Nat B]
56 Craig Jones/Mike Bartlett (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 4) [M6 - Nat B]
57 Stuart Fossey/Theresa Fossey (Ford Escort G3) [M3 - Nat B]
58 Neil Cotillard/Jamie Vaughan (Subaru JVS Impreza) [M6 - Nat B]
59 Tony Palfrey/Simon Anthony (Peugeot 205 Maxi) [M3 - Nat B]
60 Wayne 'Tar' Jones/TBA (Peugeot 206 GTI 180) [M7 - Nat B]
61 William Mains/Vince Mosley (Vauxhall Nova) [M1 - Nat B]
62 Rhidian Daniels/Tomos Whittle (Citroen C1 MAX) [M2 - Nat B]
63 Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride (Porsche 911) [B5 - Nat A]
64 Gethin Sharp/Lewis Griffiths (Toyota Yaris) [M1 - Nat B]
65 Aaron Jones/Owen Evans (Honda Civic Type R) [M2 - Nat B]
66 Matt Davis/Russell Joseph (Peugeot 106) [M1 - Nat B]
67 Jonathan Stepney/TBA (Peugeot 205) [M4 - Nat B]
68 Vince Davies/Jade Phillips (Ford Escort Mk2) [MD3 - Nat B]
69 Lee Sparrowhawk/Samuel Myers (Subaru Impreza) [M7 - Nat B]
72 Jim Boxall/Allan Brown (Peugeot 205 GTi) [M4 - Nat B]
73 Martin Beech/Jessica Beech (Peugeot 205 GTi) [M4 - Nat B]
74 John Morris/Rhys Stoneman (Ford Escort Cosworth) [M6 - Nat B]
75 James Ball/TBA (Suzuki Ignis) [M1 - Nat B]
76 Jordan Reynolds/Richard Pashley (Ford Fiesta R2) [M2 - Nat B]
77 Dick (Richard) Mauger/TBA (Ford Escort RS1800) [MG2 - Nat B]
78 Jason Hodge/Alan Hinton (Toyota Corolla) [M7 - Nat B]
79 Kevin Harbour/Dave Tortoishell (Citroen C2R2) [M2 - Nat B]
80 Mike Simpson/Ryland James (Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000) [MC3 - Nat B]
81 John L Williams/Gethin Sollis (Ford Escort Mexico) [C2 - Nat A]
82 Andrew Hardiman/Andrew Francis Allen (Peugeot 205 GTi) [M2 - Nat B]
83 Nigel Killerby/Colin Watson (Ford Escort Mk2) [M5 - Nat B]
84 Robert Morris/Gareth Parry (Ford Escort) [M5 - Nat B]
85 Robert Bradley/Kevin Booth (Ford Escort Mk2) [M3 - Nat B]
86 Gareth Edwards/Dafydd Evans (Darrian T90) [M3 - Nat B]
87 Zak Hughes/Chris Evans (Suzuki Swift) [M3 - Nat B]
88 Tom Delaney/Osian Owen (Suzuki Swift Cup) [M2 - Nat B]
89 Michael Cotillard/Wendy Geary (BMW E30) [M5 - Nat B]
90 Simon Naughton/Gareth Thomas (MG ZR) [M3 - Nat B]
91 Andy Pem Pemberton/Seyyan John (Subaru Impreza) [M6 - Nat B]
92 Martin Thayne/James Phillips (Suzuki Swift) [M2 - Nat B]
93 Tom Jones/TBA (Honda Civic) [M2 - Nat B]
94 David Williams/Huw Evans (Honda Civic) [M2 - Nat B]
95 Kalvin Green/Tony Fisher (Nissan Micra) [M1 - Nat B]
96 Mal Bayliss/Siobhan Pugh (Ford Escort Mk1) [C2 - Nat A]
97 Jonathan Hodgson/Gary Baker (Suzuki Swift) [M2 - Nat B]
98 Jason Watkins/Karen Phelps (Peugeot 106 Rallye) [M1 - Nat B]
99 Phil Harris/Richard Suter (Morris Mini Cooper) [B2 - Nat A]
100 Graham Patten/Pauline Hale (Datsun 240Z) [C5 - Nat A]
101 Philip Jones/Roy Williams ( ) [B1 - Nat B]
102 Paul Romeril/Jane Gray (Ford Escort Mk2) [M3 - Nat B]
103 Charlie Barlow/Emma Morrison (Nissan Micra) [M1 - Nat B]
104 Adam Ripper/Paul Gallagher (Nissan Micra) [M1 - Nat B]
105 Mark Ian Rowlands/Dave Stocking ( ) [B1 - Nat A]
106 Ron Morgan/Simon Jones (TBC ) [B1 - Nat B]
107 Jonathan Hartley/John Mula (Ford Puma) [M1 - Nat B]
108 Paul Boenigk/Charlotte Blake (Vauxhall Nova) [M1 - Nat B]
Entries still open.