Rallying’s best set for big Welshpool weekend
The massive motorsporting event will be part one of a big Welshpool weekend with the town set to host the Welshpool 10k on Sunday, ensuring thousands of visitors will bea heading our way.
Matthew Hirst will begin the defence of his Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship title when he contests the opening round of the 2023 series in Welshpool on Saturday.
The event has proven to be a successful launching pad for Hirst and co-driver Declan Dear, as both times they have won Rally North Wales (in 2019 and 2022) they have gone on to clinch the Welsh title.
Having recorded a perfect 150 points score to win the title last year, Hirst will return to the popular Welsh Association of Motor Clubs organised gravel championship in his all-conquering Pirelli-shod Delta Salvage Ford Fiesta R5+.
“Rally North Wales is one of the rallies I know the best, as this year will be my fifth start,” says Hirst.
“The first time I did it I wasn’t placed too high, we were second the next time and the third and fourth times we won it – so for the fifth time we’ll have to try and keep that record of success going!
“I’m pleased that this year’s Rally North Wales is returning to Dyfnant forest which has been underused for the last few years but is nevertheless a classic Welsh stage.
“It’s a stage with a lot of variety and it’s great that the event organisers have worked hard to bring some different stages into the mix and refresh the event. Having said that, it’s also nice to be going back to Dyfi, because that’s one of my favourite stages of the whole year.
It’s a big challenge, with a lovely flowing nature and some really fast corners. It’s a stage that rewards commitment, but if you were to make a mistake in Dyfi, you’d be heavily punished for it!
As Hirst acknowledges, competition is tough – and without doubt his rivals will be aiming to stop his run of success in the Welsh forests.
The Welsh forests are once again the place to see a Subaru driven on the limit, with many challenging for the top spot. Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas return in their unmissable Geoff Jones Motorsport-prepared Green Paw-backed example and are joined by Tommi Meadows/Laura Cooledge, Keith Jones/Sion Williams, Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe, Tom McKeown/Neil Thomas, Martyn Andrews/Steve Greenhill, Colin Griffiths/Sion Rowlands and Rob and Ashley Aslett in a fleet of Imprezas.
Crew also aiming for overall honours include David Tomlin/Keith Ashley (Axon Ford Fiesta R5), Simon Rogers/James How (Mitsubishi Evo 6), Colin Minton/Bonnie Papper (Ford Fiesta R5), Geoff Cottrill/Nathan Crewe (Mitsubishi Evo 9), Steve Hollis/Tim Currie (Volkswagen Golf R), Peter Baylis/Paul Godden (Mitsubishi Evo 9) and Daniel Moss/Samuel Davies (Mitsubishi Evo 10).
Other Escort Mk2 crews to keep a close eye on include Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins, Ricky Crone/Ifan Devine, Richard Warne/Chris Deal, Alan Horn/Ian Beamond, Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel and Rowan Moreton Wood/Hamish Campbell.
Class W12 champions Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee Fox return in their Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325, while Iwan Roberts/Daniel Jones appear in a Ford Escort G3 and David Howell Jones/Glyn Price, Dan Chester/Paul Barbet and Kevin Metcalfe/Ian Jones bring a trio of BMW E30s.
In only his first full season of rallying last year, Liam Griffiths finished runner-up in the OnThePaceNote supported Welsh Junior category. Partnered by Motorsport UK Academy co-driver Daniel James, he’ll be looking to win the title and do well in the 2WD section this time in his Discover Parks Ford Fiesta ST.
Liam’s brother Callum Griffiths also returns, as he and co-driver William Lewis compete in their Presteigne Tyre Services Ford Fiesta ST – while Gethin Price/Steven Brown wheel out their Nissan Micra.
Michael Jenkins/Sophie Buckland return for another crack at the class W10 title in their Ford Fiesta and will be up against the defending champions Martin Walters/Marie Fletcher (Honda Civic) and Dan Jones/Cyril Jones (Vauxhall Nova) – while the highly competitive class W4 battle will be fought out by the likes of Tony Simpson/Stefan Arndt (Seacon UK/Kielder Tools Ford Fiesta R2T), Adam Clews/Mark Thomas (Fiesta R2) and Alex Cannon/Alan Carfrae (Fiesta R2).
The Restruct Welsh Historic classes continue to grow – and as well as the category trophies, the registered crews that finish in the top three of each Historic class at the end of the season will be put forward for the David Stokes Historic Challenge award for drivers and the Guy Weaver award for co-drivers.
Charles Campbell/Sam Weller will be battling for top class W5 points in their Davian Mk8 alongside the likes of Mark and Debora Tugwell (Ford Escort Mk1).
Gareth Lewis/Ryland James (Escort Mk1 RS2000), Julian Birley/Emyr Hall (Talbot Sunbeam), Freddy Camp/Stephen Spear (Escort), Ian Beveridge/Paul Price (Toyota Corolla TE27) and Simon Wallis/Graham Wride (Ford Capri 3.0 GT) will all be aiming to get their class W6 campaigns off to a winning start – as will Graham Palmer/Mike Webb (Escort) and Ben and Steven Smith (Ford Escort Mk1 RS2000) in class W7.
The big guns are out again in class W8, with Rudi Lancaster/Guy Weaver aiming for a category win in their Woolacombe Holiday Parks Escort RS1800 after several good performances last year. Gary Smith/Clive Jones, Peter Jones/Gareth Davies and Lyn Davies/Aled Richards are all in Escort Mk2s, while Jonathan Brace/Paul Spooner and Andrew Stokes/Jonny Tad Evans appear in a pair of gorgeous Escort Mk1s.
Meanwhile in class W9, Alan Walker/John Conner will be targeting a strong points finish in their Ford Escort RS1800.
Coverage from Rally North Wales will be live streamed on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship’s and Special Stage TV’s Facebook pages during the event, featuring action from all the registered competitors.
Organised by Wolverhampton & South Staffs Car Club, this year’s Rally North Wales will be based in Welshpool, home of title sponsor Get Jerky, with the rally headquarters based at the Livestock Market on the outskirts of the town.
Welshpool town centre will host the start ceremony (first car starts at 07:45), ahead of a four-stage loop through Dyfnant, Gartheiniog, Big Ray and Dyfi forests in the morning and afternoon, separated by a mid-point service halt at the Dolgellau Farmers Market.
After all eight stages, covering almost 45 stage miles, are completed, the finish ceremony will be back in Welshpool town centre – with the first car arriving at 16:23.
Further details on the 2023 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
2023 Get Jerky Rally North Wales – leading top 10 seeded entries
401. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Ford Fiesta R5+)
402. Alan Carmichael/Claire Williams (Hyundai i20 R5)
403. Gavin Edwards/Caron Tomlinson (Ford Fiesta R5+)
404. Kevin Procter/Jamie Edwards (Ford Fiesta S2000T)
405. Simon Rogers/James How (Mitsubishi Evo6)
406. Jordan Hone/Paul Hone (Ford Fiesta R5+)
407. Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas (Subaru Impreza)
408. Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe (Subaru Impreza)
409. Daniel Moss/Samuel Davies (Mitsubishi Evo10)
410. David Tomlin/Keith Ashley (Ford Fiesta R5+)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|