Press Release 25th Feb 2022
With over a month to go until the opening round, this year's Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship has already received a bumper number of entries - with over 130 competitors already pledging their commitment to content the seven-round gravel rally series.
Some of the leading driver registrations include the 2019 champion Matthew Hirst, who has swapped his Mitsubishi Evo IX for a new Delta Salvage-backed Ford Fiesta R5+.
The 2018 drivers' champion Dylan Davies has registered in his Å koda Fabia R5+, Roland Llewellin has swapped his Mitsubishi Evo X for a Hyundai i20 R5, while the 2019 Welsh Junior champion Tom Llewellin, pictured, returns in his Brace's Bakery Mitsubishi Mirage.
Perry Gardener made a sensational R5 debut last year when he finished fifth overall on the Eventsigns Woodpecker Rally, and he returns for a crack at the title in his Ford Fiesta R5+.
The 2019 championship runner-up Russ Thompson,pictured, is back in his GPM / PD Extinguishers backed Mitsubishi Evo 9, while Bob Morgan (Å koda Fabia R5+), David Tomlin (Ford Fiesta R5+), Wug Utting (Subaru Impreza STi N12B), Harry Gardner (Norman & Birch Bikes Mitsubishi Evo 9), Paul Walker (Subaru Impreza) and Fraser Martin and Simon Rogers (both Mitsubishi Evo 6) all return too.
There is a very strong entry in all 14 classes - including the Juniors, with the likes of Robert Wilson (Ravenol Mitsubishi Evo 7), Callum Griffiths (Ford Fiesta ST), Rory McCann (Metalways Hilman Avenger), Gethin Price (Keith Price Haulage Nissan Micra), Michael Sawyer (Datsun 1600) and Geoff Phelps (Hartpury Farms Ford Escort) all aiming for the top end of season first prize of a test in a PCRS Rallysport-prepared Hyundai i20 R5, courtesy of OnThePaceNote.
The Ravenol Welsh Challenge, which recognises the performance of competitors who have yet to finish in the top 10 overall of a championship round, remains extremely popular with the likes of Martin Frazer (Mitsubishi Evo 6), Paul Morris and Clive Price (both BMW Compact), Geoff Cottrill (Mitsubishi Evo 9), Kevin Metcalfe and David Jones (both BMW E30), Martin Walters (Honda Civic), Tony Simpson (Seacon UK/Kielder WT Fiesta R2), James Dunkley, Stuart Spyer, Hefin Lloyd-Davies (all Vauxhall Corsa), Alun Horn and Richard Warne (both Escorts), Martyn Andrews (Opie Oils Subaru Impreza) and Alan Desbois (Peugeot 306 RWD) all early registrations.
The Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Historic Cup looks set for another fantastic season, with registrations already in from defending champion Paul Street (PJS Marine Escort RS1800 Mk2), defending Restruct 2WD champion Owen McMackin, pictured, (BJT Hire Centre Escort) and the 2000 overall Welsh champion Pete Littler (RED Preparation & Fabrication Escort Mk2).
Jonathan Brace will appear in a new Brace's Bakery Escort Mk1 RS1600, the rapid Michael McDaid returns in his McDaid Pharmacy Escort RS1800 Mk2, while Rudi Lancaster aims to challenge for the title in his Woolacombe Holiday Parks Escort RS1800 Mk2.
Other Historic-spec Escorts appear in the very capable hands of drivers such as Robert Gough, David Roberts, Philip Clark, Malcolm Bayliss, Chris Squires, Alan Walker, Peter Hilton, David Roberts, Charles Hopkinson, Rob Dennis and Martin Jones. Andrew Stokes is always a great sight in his Escort Mk1 as is Ron Morgan in his gorgeous Wales Motorsport-built Restruct Escort Mk2.
Many of the above will also be battling for the Restruct-backed 2WD title, along with the likes of Ashley Davies (Burton Power G&B Finch Deranged Trucks Escort Mk2) and Tim Phelps (Britpart Escort Mk2).
Elsewhere, Graham Thatcher pictured, will be aiming to build on last year's achievements in the Road Rally class in his Pembridge Vehicle Management Peugeot 206GTi, while Adrian Walk will be aiming to retain his class W2 title in his PartBOX Ford Ka.
There are of course some top-class co-drivers registered, including former champions Declan Dear, Mark Glennerster, Paul Spooner, Andy Marchbank as well as the likes of Jack Bowen, Siobhan Pugh, Bob Stokoe, Declan Casey, Tim Samuel, Jamie Edwards, Ryland James, Elwyn Manuel, Ian Beamond, Jonny TAD Evans, Marc Clatworthy, Caron Tomlinson and Keith Ashley, to name but a few.
Dave Evison, Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship Secretary, said: "It's fantastic to see the level of interest in the Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship this year, proving that the demand for gravel rallying in Wales is as strong as ever.
"There are so many positives, with younger drivers looking to challenge for top honours whilst the more mature drivers will be looking to put them in their place in equally powerful machinery.
"The number of latest specification four-wheel drive cars benefits the sport all around, whilst the Historic category is very well supported adding a strength in depth to the Championship. There is excellent support from the clubmen as well.
"It's looking like the package we have put together in the closed season has been well received and I can't wait for the first round."
The opening round of the 2022 Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship is the Dolgellau-based WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales on Saturday 26 March.
Further details on the 2022 Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship, together with registration information, can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk
2022 Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship calendar
26 March....... WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales
9 April.......Rallynuts Stages Rally
21 May.......Plains Rally
9 July.......Nicky Grist Stages
3 September....... Eventsigns Woodpecker Stages Rally
15 October....... Winner Garage Å koda Wyedean Rally
29 October.......Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally
For more information please contact:
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
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Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
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Ravenol UK will enhance its involvement within Welsh motorsport this year by becoming joint title sponsor of the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship and increasing its support of the popular Ravenol Welsh Challenge.
Ravenol has been a valuable technical and lubricants partner to Wales' premier forestry rally championship since 2015 and its increased support in 2022 will see wide reaching additional benefits to all registered championship contenders.
In what has become an integral part of the Championship, the Ravenol Welsh Challenge is a category which aims to reward those competitors who deserve it the most, namely the clubmen who have not finished in the top 10 of a National B (or equivalent) championship gravel event.
The Ravenol Welsh Challenge crew which improves most on their seeding at each event will receive £200 worth of Ravenol products of their choice, whilst this year there will also be an overall Ravenol Welsh Challenge winner who will receive a trophy and a cheque for £500 at the end of the season.
Ravenol will also fund the live streaming and online highlights package, ensuring that registered competitors in every class receive unrivalled broadcast coverage for themselves and their sponsors at every qualifying event.
Furthermore, all 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship registered competitors will be offered a generous 15% discount when ordering products via www.Ravenol-direct.uk. This special online offer applies to the entire range of high-performance automotive lubricants including road oils (excluding Bargain Bin items) and can be used by both driver and co-driver.
"Heading into our seventh year of supporting Wales' premier forestry rally championship we are delighted to announce that we are increasing our commitment to the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship," said Brian Chase, Managing Director of Ravenol UK.
"We have always supported the clubman in a variety of motorsport disciplines, and we are proud to develop the Ravenol Welsh Challenge even further by offering an event-by-event incentive and a new overall end-of-season cash reward and trophy.
"As for the Ravenol products themselves, our boffins in Germany have developed some of the most technically advanced lubricants available and which provide a strong, stable viscosity even at higher temperatures whilst substantially reducing the risks of fuel dilution. There is a range of grades specifically intended for all forms of motorsport even at the highest international level and what better way to demonstrate their quality than the Welsh forests."
"We are delighted that Ravenol UK is supporting the Welsh Rally Championship for a seventh year and its increased commitment to the series really is fantastic news for all registered championship contenders," added Dave Evison, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship Secretary.
"Given our long-standing partnership with Ravenol UK, which has grown every year since it commenced in 2015, it is entirely appropriate that the partnership is now recognised within the championship title. As a championship we are proud to have such great relationships with partners like Ravenol UK as it highlights our commitment to continually improve the championship year-on-year."
Further details on the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
For more information, please contact:
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
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This year's Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship will include a new end-of-year award for competitors in the Historic classes and honour one of British rallying's most loved and greatly missed drivers, David Stokes.
The recipient of the David Stokes Historic Challenge award will be a driver who has most impressed the judging panel - which will consist of representatives from the championship, a Welsh Association of Motor Clubs committee member and members of the Stokes family - and be based on a number of criteria including (but not limited to) sportsmanship, unflappable determination, performance improvement and the way in which they promote motorsport in a positive and safe manner.
It's some of the many attributes shown by the competitor to whom this special award is named after. The way the late David Stokes always went rallying. With style, good grace and incredible driving talent.
All drivers registered for the Historic classes of the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship (namely classes W6, W7, W8 and W9) will automatically be eligible for the David Stokes Historic Challenge award - and contenders who finish the 2022 season in the top three positions in each eligible will be considered for the accolade.
There will also be a separate Guy Weaver Award for co-drivers - Guy being David's navigator between 2006-2015.
To the eligible for both the David Stokes Historic Challenge and Guy Weaver awards competitors must:
"I'm absolutely thrilled with the creation of the David Stokes Historic Challenge award and that David's legacy will continue in the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship as Welsh rallying was very close to his heart," said Sue Stokes.
"I will play a very active role in the process of finding a worthy winner of this award and aim to attend as many of the events as possible - to meet old and new friends in our extended motorsport family. I'm delighted to be involved and look forward to working with the Welsh National Rally Championship on this wonderful new initiative."
"We are pleased and excited to announce this very special David Stokes Historic Challenge," added Dave Evison, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship Secretary.
"The challenge will reward competitors who strive to improve and can demonstrate the desire and performance to succeed and enjoy the sport in a positive and safe manner. These characteristics were ably demonstrated by David throughout his many successful decades in the sport."
Further details on the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
For more information, please contact:
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
14th January 2022
Press release: 14 November 2021
Garry Pearson is the 2021 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally champion after a stunning fightback on the final two stages of the Rallynuts Stages Rally (Saturday 13 November) saw him clinch the title by the smallest of margins and winning on a tiebreak.
Co-driven by Niall Burns, Garry lost 17 seconds on the opening stage through Myherin when the power steering failed on his Pirelli-shod Asset Alliance Å koda Fabia R5. A nut on the top of the reserve reservoir had come loose which had also caused the windscreen to mist up.
Down in fifth overall and fourth Pirelli Welsh contender, Garry set the fastest time in Sweet Lamb and Hafren to take the Pirelli Welsh lead by the time crews reached mid-day service at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, two seconds ahead of Callum Black and 18 seconds ahead of Ian Bainbridge.
The title looked his, until a right rear puncture halfway through the repeat of Myherin cost Garry almost a minute.
Now 45 seconds behind Callum and 27 seconds behind Ian, Garry needed to finish second to win the Welsh title and with just 13.47 stage miles remaining he launched an incredible fightback.
Garry set the fastest time on SS5 (Sweet Lamb 2) taking 17 seconds out of Ian to set up a thrilling final run through Hafren 2.
In a title or nothing final stage charge, Garry was then 12 seconds faster than Ian to overtake him on the event leaderboard and take second place Pirelli Welsh Championship points by just two seconds - which with Callum taking a maximum score was what Garry needed to be crowned 2021 champion.
It was also cause for celebration for the 2018 Pirelli Welsh driver champion Dylan Davies, who owns, prepares and runs Garry's 2021 title winning Fabia R5.
"It's been one of my most challenging days of my rallying career, from the power steering problem in the morning, driving half of stage four on a puncture and then a fightback on the last two stages in the afternoon," said Garry.
"I took it one event at a time and it's the best year I've ever had in rallying. I'm speechless.
"Credit to Dylan Davies Rallying because they've prepared a good car for us all season. And thanks to Asset Alliance, Pirelli, George Anderson Builders and all the people in the team for pulling together and getting us here."
Callum, pictured, needed to score maximum points on the Rallynuts to have a chance of winning the Pirelli Welsh drivers' title for a second time, and 2017 champion did that in spectacular style and also finished second overall on the event.
Co-driven by Tom Woodford, a wrong tyre choice in the morning cost Callum time, particularly on SS2 when the Pallas Connections Ford Fiesta R5 understeered badly through Sweet Lamb. It may have cost Callum the overall rally win, but with Garry picking up the Pirelli Welsh points he needed the rally result didn't cost Callum the Welsh title.
Ian, pictured, drove very well, although the work commitments that restricted his pre-rally preparations ultimately prevented him from setting the stage times that he knew he could. Co-driven by Will Atkins, Ian still finished on the Pirelli Welsh podium in his right-hand drive Gypsum Group Å koda Fabia R5, which was just reward for his gritty performance, particularly through Myherin and Sweet Lamb which he thoroughly enjoyed. The result also sees him finish third in the overall drivers' standings.
Perry Gardener/Jack Bowen finished fourth Pirelli Welsh crew on the Eventsigns Woodpecker Rally, which is where they also finished this time on only their second event in a Ford Fiesta R5.
Russ Thompson (co-driven by Tom Murphy) left his best until the last round and finally enjoyed a trouble-free event (save for an issue with a fuel pump on a road section) in his Dunnow Plant Mitsubishi Evo IX to come home fifth.
He was followed home by Matthew Hirst, pictured below, who also finished a difficult season on a high when he and co-driver Declan Dear enjoyed a clean run, albeit surviving a near roll on the penultimate stage, to the finish in their Delta Salvage Mitsubishi Evo IX.
Matthew finishes fifth in the overall drivers' standings, just behind Welsh Junior George Lepley who didn't start the Rallynuts.
Dylan Davies just missed out on a top 10 Rallynuts finish in a Subaru Impreza he'd only bought the day before the event. In an extraordinary performance, he and Mark Glennerster finished 11th overall in a car that he'd not even had the time to put the characteristic Dylan Davies Rallying team yellow and black coloured decals on!
Bob Morgan is still getting used to his new Winner Garage Å koda Fabia R5 - so much so that when the windscreen wipers came on in Sweet Lamb he couldn't find the switch to turn them off. Despite the distraction, he and co-driver Adrian Williams had a great run and finished 18th overall.
Nik Elsmore finished one place behind in his CDS Taxis Mitsubishi Evo IX. It's been many years since he'd rallied on such slippery stages and the part worn tyres that he was using didn't help him find the required grip. Nevertheless, he and co-driver Rob Flagg enjoyed a good run and a top 20 finish.
Maxx Bradshaw/Liam Whiteley were pleased with their pace and admitted they couldn't have gone any faster over the afternoon stages to record a good finish in their Renvo8/DB Autos & Sons Mitsubishi Evo III.
Martyn and Dawn England lost time with a puncture in the morning but recovered well to score a good result in only their second rally in their SW Motorsport Mitsubishi Evo X,
Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe lost a considerable amount of time on the morning loop with a puncture in Sweet Lamb and another in Hafren, but brought their Subaru Impreza STi N12b home for a strong finish
Despite retiring after multiple punctures on SS2, Owen McMackin, pictured, clinched the RAVENOL UK Welsh Challenge title, thanks to Ashley Davies (co-driven by Sam Fordham) retiring his G&B Finch/Burton Power Escort Mk2 after the penultimate stage.
David Crossen's chances of winning the title took a dive when he hit a rock, punctured a tyre and bent the steering on his Crossen Engineering Escort Mk2 on SS1. Co-driven by Aileen Kelly, his title hopes finally came to an end when a throttle cable problem saw him take a stage maximum on SS4 and he skipped the last two stages.
Owen also wins the Restruct-sponsored Two-Wheel Drive title, which gives his navigator Lee Taylor the co-drivers' class trophy.
Paul Street/Ian Jones are confirmed as Pirelli Welsh Historic Cup champions after a great season in their Escort RS1800 Mk2.
Nick Elliott/Dave Price won the category on the day in their Escort Mk2, beating Ben Friend/Cliff Simmons, pictured, who had put gravel suspension on their asphalt Allglass Escort for the event - hence appearing in a white Mk2, rather than their more familiar red Ford.
Michael McDaid enjoyed a good run on his first appearance in the classic mid-Wales forests, with he and co-driver Declan Casey taking a Pirelli Welsh Historic Cup podium in their McDaid Pharmacy Escort RS1800 Mk2 to finish third in the class at the end of the season.
Jonathan Brace/Paul Spooner also ended the season on a high in their Brace's Bakery Escort Mk2, while Charles Hopkinson/Alan Jones (Black Antler Design Escort RS1800 Mk2), Neal James/Kevin Jones (Mosley Rolling Road/Cwm Engineering Escort Mk2) and Ron Morgan/Marc Clatworthy (Restruct Escort Mk2) all survived the tricky and often changeable road conditions to score good results.
Ricky Crone/Daniel James (Escort Mk2) are the Pirelli Welsh Road Rally class champions after taking maximum points on the Rallynuts Stages. They had understeer problems on the first loop in their Escort Mk2 but survived to finish the season with a perfect score of 90 points.
Robi Wood/Osian Davies retired their NIBS/SWG Escort Mk2 mid-way through the afternoon, thus ending their title aspirations.
Mark Lennox/Rhodri Evens had a gear linkage problem on the opening stage in their Tec-Nic Motorsport/Lennox Engineering Escort Mk2, but fortunately the problem cured itself. They weren't quite out of the woods, as a problem with the limited slip differential in the afternoon was cause for concern, although they battled on to finish second in class and secure third in the final Pirelli Welsh Road Rally standings.
Graham Thatcher/Tim Samuel hit a compression on SS1 which caused gear selection problems thereafter and despite starting the afternoon loop they retired their Pembridge Vehicle Management Peugeot 206GTi.
Ioan Lloyd/Sion Williams, pictured, focused on getting a finish and in doing so clinched the W4 title in their West Wales Rally Spares Peugeot 208 R2. In a truly wonderful season the talented teenager also finished fifth in the Welsh Challenge drivers' standings and fourth in the Two-Wheel Drive points table.
Conor Tolson/Dylan Thomas finished runners-up in class W4 after a strong season and a good first visit to Myherin, Sweet Lamb and Hafren forests in their Powerhouse Turbo Garage Ford Fiesta R2.
A perfect score of 90 points also secured Adrian and Matthew Walk the class W2 title in their PartBOX Ford Ka.
It also wasn't the easiest condition for a Corsa, but James Dunkley/Dan Sayce did extremely well to finish second in class in their JD Auto Services Vauxhall, despite having to ease off on the final stage when the sumpguard came loose.
Steve Black put his sensible head on and was also driving for a finish. Co-driven by Paul Morris, the 586 Sports team driver's tactics were rewarded with the class W3 title in his Suzuki Swift 1400.
Elsewhere Simon Dalton/Ryan Griffiths had a good run in their Blendline Subaru Impreza STi N12b, having hit a rock on the inside of a corner on SS3 and narrowly avoided being flung off the road.
Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee Fox had a worrying noise coming from underneath their Fitzgerald Plant Services BMW 325 as they suspected a dislodged propshaft guard, but they survived to reach the finish.
In only his second event after coming out of a six year rally retirement Chris Gittins reached the finish in his 2.8-litre BMW Compact, ably guided by Daniel Jones.
Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas were happy to finish after they hit a hole a mile from the end of the final stage which bent a wheel in their Green Power Subaru Impreza.
Meanwhile Keith Jones/Jonny 'Tad' Evans (Grooms Garage Subaru Impreza), Harry Hunt/Steve McPhee (Ford Escort) and Rob Wilson/Martin Haggett (Ravenol Ford Fiesta R2) were equally delighted to cross the finish line of what had been a very demanding event.
David Tomlin/Ian Beamond broke a wheel on the opening stage and then a tyre came off the rim on SS2. Their afternoon wasn't much better either and they were forced to retire when the power steering on their Axon Ford Fiesta R5 failed on SS4.
Paul Lomas/Mark Leader (Plant Speed Ford Escort) and Alan Desbois/Peter Littlefield (Peugeot 306 RWD) both retired on the morning loop, while despite hitting a rock on SS2 and stopping to change a puncture David Jones/Gwyn Price retired their Tanners Arms BMW E30 in the afternoon.
Further details on the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
2021 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship
Provisional points after Round 4:
Overall driver
Overall co-driver
Class winners:
Pirelli Welsh Junior
Driver: George Lepley
Co-driver: Will Atkins
RAVENOL UK Welsh Challenge
Driver: Owen McMackin
Co-driver: Jack Bowen
Restruct Two-Wheel Drive
Driver: Owen McMackin
Co-driver: Lee Taylor
Pirelli Welsh Historic Cup
Driver: Paul Street
Co-driver: Ian Jones
W2 (2WD, 1001cc to 1400cc 8v naturally aspirated)
Driver: Adrian Walk
Co-driver: Matt Walk
W3 (2WD, 1001cc to 1400cc 16v naturally aspirated)
Driver: Steve Black
Co-driver: Caron Tomlinson
W4 (2WD, all R2 homologated cars / FIA 1000cc turbo and 1600cc)
Driver: Ioan Lloyd
Co-driver: Sion Williams
W5 (2WD, Road Rally cars)
Driver: Ricky Crone
Co-driver: Daniel James
W6 (2WD, Historic Cat including up to 1600cc category 2, 3 and 4a)
Driver: Julian Birley and Chris Hellings (tied)
W7 (2WD, Historic 1601cc and over 8v single cam (category 2, 3 and 4a)
Driver: Neal James
Co-driver: Kevin Jones
W8 (2WD, Historic 1601cc and over 16v multi valve (category 2, 3, 4a and 4b up to 1600cc)
Driver: Paul Street
Co-driver: Ian Jones
W9 (4WD, Historic category 4b over 1600cc)
Driver: Tom Coughtrie
W10 (2WD, 1401cc to 1600cc naturally aspirated)
Driver: Dan Jones
Co-driver: Cyril Jones
W11 (2WD, 1601cc to 2000cc naturally aspirated)
Driver: Robert Wilson
Co-driver: Martin Haggett
W12 (2WD, 2001cc and over)
Driver: Owen McMackin
Co-driver: Lee Taylor
W13 (4WD, all four-wheel drive cars, excluding class W14 and W9)
Driver: George Lepley
Co-driver: Declan Dear
W14 (4WD, WRC/R5/S2000/RCC cars)
Driver: Callum Black
Co-driver: Niall Burns
Pirelli Welsh Over 50
Driver: Paul Street
Co-driver: Ian Jones
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