Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship

Wyedean Rally hat-trick secures Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear their third Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship title

Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear clinched the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship title for a record-equalling third time after winning the Wyedean Stages Rally in their Delta Salvage/Witham Group Ford Fiesta R5.

Recent heavy rain had left the Forest of Dean stages very wet and slippery, and despite a cautious start Hirst admitted to a few overshoots on the morning's loop of three stages. He still led the Pirelli Welsh section and took over the overall lead of the event on the afternoon's repeat run through the stages.

Whilst the drivers' title was pretty much secure, maximum points were required for Dear to clinch the co-driver's title. With that in mind, and the desire to end the 2023 season on a high after a recent run of bad luck, Hirst made no mistakes as he took an impressive 17 second win.

"I'm delighted to have won my third Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship with my third win in a row on the Wyedean, particularly as it was such a tricky event this year," said Hirst.

"We've had a bad run recently and we needed this result to go into the winter break at peace and at one with rallying again. In sport you have good runs and bad runs and we've had both this year.

"We came to the Wyedean with the mindset of taking it steady and not making any mistakes, and to do that and win feels great. We've ended the year on a high, which is what we wanted, and I'm over the moon."

"It was a little more difficult for me to clinch the co-driver's title, but we knew what we had to do on the Wyedean," added Dear.

"Matt drove a great event, really measured in very tricky conditions, and it all came good in the end."

Rob Wilson put in another very impressive drive in his Mitsubishi Evo 7 to finish second on the Wyedean. Co-driven by Martin Haggett, the 2022 Welsh Junior champion was a lot happier once he'd changed tyres for the afternoon stages and never put a foot wrong in the challenging conditions.

Nik Elsmore admitted that Lady Luck had been his salvation in the morning, as he'd been off the road and well into the undergrowth twice on SS3. Co-driven by Pauline Nash, the local Coleford driver had a gear linkage come loose on his CDS Taxis & Private Hire Mitsubishi Evo 9 in the afternoon, making downshifts difficult - all of which made finishing third all the sweeter.

Bob Morgan's Winner Garage Å koda Fabia R5 fell onto three cylinders off the start line of the opening stage, costing him a lot of time. He and co-driver pressed on after that, wrestling the car through the muddy stages as it attempted to swap ends at every opportunity. After a pretty hard work out, Bob was happy to finish an unscathed fourth.

Simon Rogers was delighted to secure the runner-up spot in the Pirelli Welsh drivers' championship. He and co-driver James How lost time with an overshoot on SS1 - and from then on it was a case of survival in the tricky conditions. "It's so slippery, it feels like you just can't do anything right," said the MacWhirter Motorsport-prepared Mitsubishi Evo 6 driver. He certainly did do a lot right, coming home a solid sixth - and clinching the class W13 and Seniors' titles.

Colin Minton ended an excellent season with a top 10 Pirelli Welsh result. Partnered by Bonnie Papper, the 2023 Welsh Junior co-driver's champion, the Swindon driver was able to find more grip in the afternoon as he put in another very good performance in his Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5. The end of season icing on the cake was the 4WD Witham Group special award, presented by Witham Group Sales Director Richard Scarbrough.

Richard Ceen/Alun Hayward also bagged a good result in their MSL Motorsport-prepared Coedwigaeth Pencelyn-backed Ford Fiesta R5 - the pair mastering the conditions to pick up some valuable Pirelli Welsh points for 12th.

Rob Aslett loved the conditions and was enjoying a favourable seeding of number 35. "It's great to see so many spectators - we're normally seeded at the back of the field, so by the time we've arrived they've all gone home," he joked. Co-driven by Ashley Aslett, his efforts were rewarded with another solid finish in his smart Rigfone Electric Contractors Subaru Impreza.

Also finishing the season on a high were Geoff Cottrill/Nathan Crewe, who put in another textbook performance in their immaculate Arnside Motorsport Mitsubishi Evo 9.

Having already secured the Welsh Challenge title, Martyn Andrews/Steve Greenhill hopes of a 100% finishing record were scuppered when they reportedly hit a post and retired their Opie Oils Subaru Impreza STi N12 on SS3. Colin Griffiths/Marc Morgan also failed to reach the finish after driveshaft issues in their Subaru Impreza STi.

Callum Griffiths is the new OnThePaceNote-supported Welsh Junior champion, after a very close and exciting battle for the title. He and co-driver William Lewis arrived at the Wyedean leading the class, but with six drivers in with a chance of winning there was much to do. Hitting a few banks on SS3 was an indication of how hard Griffiths was pushing in the morning, as the Presteigne Tyre Services Fiesta ST driver reached first service after three stages with a good lead - and with many of his Junior rivals hitting problems, one hand on the trophy. He still had to survive the remaining four stages to be sure of the title, and a "hairy moment" on SS5 got his heart racing - but in the end Griffiths secured the Junior title in style (taking home seventh place Pirelli Welsh overall points) and clinch the 2WD runners-up spot (first front-wheel drive).

Dylan Fowler Bishop (co-driven by Dan Evans) finished second Junior on the day to secure third place in the points table after another good run in his Restruct Nissan Micra.

Luke Watts (co-driven by Matt Rogers) used his local knowledge and deft car control to take his second junior podium finish of the season. The Coleford driver was on the pace right from the start and secured fourth in the Welsh Junior standings despite a few late handbrake issues with his NJ Auto Repairs MG ZR.

One of the star drives of the season has come from Sam Mason. He only passed his driving test earlier this year and hasn't even got a road car - so the only time he drives at all is when he competes on a rally. In fact, the first time he'd ever driven on a dual carriageway was on the recent Visit Conway Cambrian Rally! Despite this, he and co-driver James Seymour put in another excellent performance in their SM Autocare Ford Fiesta - despite the car having severe diff problems all day, which effectively left it in one-wheel drive - with Mason claiming the Welsh Junior runners-up crown and the class W4 title.

Callum's brother Liam was in with a chance of winning the title, but he and co-driver Daniel James broke a driveshaft in their Presteigne Tyre Services Fiesta ST at the start of SS2, which saw them spend the afternoon spectating.

Gethin Price (co-driven by Steven Brown) also retired in the morning. The young Machynlleth pilot had hit a pile of logs on SS3 after a high-speed tank slapper in his RKP Haulage Nissan Micra and retired a few miles later when a driveshaft snapped.

Iwan Roberts Jnr/Daniel Jones secured the Hockly Motorsport-supported 2WD category title after another excellent drive in their rapid Roberts of Ffestiniog Ford Escort G3. Despite finding it tricky to find both grip and rhythm, they were in a class of their own this time - winning their class and finishing a superb sixth overall.

Ricky Crone/Ifan Devine lost time in a ditch on SS3 but recovered well to finish third 2WD on the day (behind Roberts and Griffiths) and fourth in the points standings (behind Roberts, Griffiths and Boyd Kershaw) in their MS Textiles Ford Escort Mk2.

Richard Warne/Chris Deal scored their best result of the season in their CarSpares Ford Escort Mk2, while Mike Brown Snr/Nikola Brown scored their first points of the season in their BMW E36 Compact.

Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins slipped to fifth in the 2WD standings after a rare retirement in their Hartpury Farms Escort Mk2.

Dan Chester/Paul Barbet won class W12 on the day to secure the runners-up spot in the series, after a busy day in their Dan's Action Vehicles BMW E30. They thoroughly enjoyed the challenging conditions and were faster in the afternoon after "cleaning up" their driving - and were delighted to win the special Witham Group 2WD award.

David Jones/Glyn Price finished second in class on the day, equalling their best result of 2023, after a great drive in their Tanners Arms/GJ Price Transport BMW E30 - despite hitting a big pothole in the morning, which bent a front wing.

Michael Jenkins (co-driven by Jordan Joines) scored a brilliant class W10 victory in his Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta, despite a power problem getting off the start line of SS5.

Alan Desbois (co-driven by Clive 'Selwyn' Jones) survived a big 180 degree spin on a narrow section in SS1 and lost time putting his Peugeot 306 RWD back in the right direction. After that he flew, finishing third in class on the day and securing the class runners-up spot.

Martin Walters/Marie Fletcher had already been crowned class W10 champions, but a broken driveshaft on SS3 signalled their only DNF of the season in their Digger Parts Direct Honda Civic.

Dylan Fowler Bishop secured the Hockly Motorsport-supported class W2 title, after winning the class for a second time. Ashley Francis-Adams (co-driven by Tudor Jenkins) was hoping to steal the title, but he broke a driveshaft on his FB Motorsport-prepared T2 Fabrication Nissan Micra driving out of a ditch on SS1. Having missed two stages, he returned in the afternoon with heavy penalties and half points awarded.

Having won class W2 three times, Nigel and Kaz Jenkins were hopeful of a good result - although they were forced to stop after engine failure in their NJ Auto Repairs Vauxhall Nova. They had been 11th overall after the opening stage!

Graham Palmer (co-driven by Mike Webb) won class W7 for the second time this year in his PGM Caterham Specialists/Garolla Garage Doors Ford Escort Mk1. He had a slight scare in the afternoon when the throttle stuck open on SS5 and he had to slow the car down by turning off the ignition, but that didn't prevent the Hove driver scoring a great result.

Jonathan Brace/Paul Spooner ended the season on a high with a class W8 win in their Dave Jenkins Motorsport-built and run Brace's Bakery Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1. It was their fourth class win from five starts, securing them the class runners-up spot. They also picked up the special Witham Group Historic award.

Charles Hopkinson/Alan Jones admitted to being on and off the road a lot but held on to score their first class W9 win on only their second outing in their stunning Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2.

Steven John Chaplin/Richard Suter hit problems halfway through SS1 when their Ford Escort Mk2 lapsed onto three cylinders. They made it to first service but retired on SS4 when the misfire returned.

Tom Llewellin made a guest appearance in his Weir Rallying Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2. Co-driven by Sion Williams, and with father and two time Wyedean winner David Llewellin watching on, the former Welsh Junior champion finished an incredible fifth overall.

Graham Thatcher made his first appearance in his magnificent TR7 V8, which had undergone a major rebuild since he purchased the car in the summer. Co-driven by Tim Samuel, he was enjoying a good run until the clutch packed in - but he promises to be back next year for a full Pirelli Welsh Historic campaign.

We also now know who will go forward for the special Historic awards, with Lyn Davies, Robert Gough, Peter Jones, Andrew Stokes, Jonathan Brace, Jeremy Wells, Graham Palmer, Brynmor Pierce, Ben Smith, Gareth Lewis, Simon Wallis, Julian Birley, Mark Tugwell and Ian Beveridge put forward for the David Stokes Historic Challenge award for drivers, and Aled Richards, Gareth Davies, James Gratton-Smith, Jonny 'Tad' Evans, Paul Spooner, Clive Jones, Ian Jones, Steven Smith, Emyr Hall and Paul Price up for the Guy Weaver award for co-drivers.

The live streamed coverage from the Wyedean Rally remains available to view on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship and Special Stage TV Facebook pages.

The opening round of the 2024 Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship is the Get Jerky Rally North Wales on Saturday 16 March.

Further details on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.

2023 Wyedean Rally - top 10 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship finishers:
1. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Ford Fiesta R5).......42mins 04secs
2. Rob Wilson/Martin Haggett (Mitsubishi Evo 7).......42mins 21secs
3. Nik Elsmore/Pauline Nash (Mitsubishi Evo 9).......43mins 49secs
4. Bob Morgan/Ade Williams (Å koda Fabia R5) .......44mins 16secs
5. Iwan Roberts/Daniel Jones (Ford Escort G3).......45mins 42secs
6. Simon Rogers/James How (Mitsubishi Evo 6).......46mins 06secs
7. Callum Griffiths/William Lewis (Ford Fiesta ST).......46mins 53secs
8. Ricky Crone/Ifan Devine (Ford Escort Mk2).......47mins 08secs
9. Jonathan Brace/Paul Spooner (Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1).......48mins 32secs
10. Colin Minton/Bonnie Papper (Ford Fiesta R5).......48mins 57secs

2023 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship
Overall drivers' points after Round 7:
1. Matthew Hirst.......150pts CHAMPION
2. Simon Rogers.......117pts
3. Russ Thompson.......111pts
4. Martyn Andrews.......111pts
5. Rob Wilson.......107pts
6. Iwan Roberts.......97pts

Overall co-drivers' points after Round 7:
1. Declan Dear.......125pts CHAMPION
2. Steven Greenhill.......115pts
3. Stephen Link.......111pts
4. Ade Williams.......103pts
5. Daniel Jones.......102pts
6. James How.......100pts

Pictures by Paul Mitchell. Please credit 'Paul Mitchell Photography' if used.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear set to be crowned Pirelli Welsh Rally champions on the Wyedean

Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear are set to become Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally champions for a record third equalling time as they take an unassailable lead into the final round of the all-gravel series, the Wyedean Stages Rally (Saturday 18 November).

The defending champions have led the series since the beginning of the season, winning the opening four rounds in their Delta Salvage/Witham Group Ford Fiesta R5.

But having been unable to start the Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker Stages and then retiring on the most recent Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally meant that their once handsome lead had been eroded to just 10 points.

It looked like the Wyedean would be a straight head-to-head fight between Hirst/Dear and Russ Thompson/Stephen Link for the title - until pre-event engine problems with their Dunnow Plant Mitsubishi Evo 9 forced the 2019 Pirelli Welsh runners-up to withdraw from the event.

This leaves Hirst/Dear on course to secure their third Pirelli Welsh title in four years and aiming to add to their Wyedean victories of 2019 and '22.

Simon Rogers currently holds second place, and whilst the two scores to drop rule means that he can't win the title outright, the runners-up spot would be the highest finishing position for the rapid Radlett driver. Co-driven by James How, the Wyedean hasn't always been a lucky rally for the MacWhirter Motorsport-prepared Mitsubishi Evo 6 driver, as his last finish on the event was in 2017.

Martyn Andrews is four points behind in third, having scored highly on all six previous rounds in his Opie Oils Subaru Impreza STi N12. Such has been the Welwyn Garden City pilot's performance this year that he won the Welsh Challenge title some time ago, while Steve Greenhill has also secured the Welsh Challenge co-drivers' crown and leads the overall co-driver's standings.

Wug Utting arrives at the final round in fifth and could still finish third in the series. Co-driven by Bob Stokoe, he's had a fantastic season in his Geoff Jones Motorsport-prepared Subaru Impreza N12b - and having travelled from his home in Gatwick (the Surrey village, not the airport) to every round this year, the Wyedean is his 'local' Pirelli Welsh event.

Bob Morgan will be aiming to finish the season off on a high in his Winner Garage Å koda Fabia R5. He and co-driver Ade Williams took home third placed points on the Woodpecker, and they'll be aiming for another Pirelli Welsh podium finish on this their local event.

Nik Elsmore is a two-time winner of the rally and whilst he doesn't compete as much as he used to (this will be this third Pirelli Welsh start this year) he is still a force to be reckoned with. Co-driven by Pauline Nash, expect some fast times from the local driver in his CDS Taxis & Private Hire Mitsubishi Evo 9.

Another rapid Mitsubishi driver to watch is Rob Wilson. He might be in an older Evo 7, but that didn't stop the Ledbury driver taking the Pirelli Welsh win on the Woodpecker and two other podium results this year. The 2022 Welsh Junior, Welsh Challenge and class W13 champion will be co-driven this time by Martin Haggett.

Steve Hollis/Tim Currie had a great run last time out on the Cambrian Rally, although a broken exhaust manifold on the final stage cost them half a dozen places. You can't miss the sight and sound of their unique V6 Jaguar-engined Volkswagen Golf V R32, which will be aiming for its best result of the season.

Colin Minton has been flying in the second half of the season - so much so that his co-driver Bonnie Papper became Welsh Junior co-driver champion two rallies ago. The Swindon driver will be looking for his second top 10 finish of the season, as he contests the event in his Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5.

The new driver/co-driver partnership of Colin Griffiths/Marc Morgan is working extremely well, and the pair will be aiming for another good result in their Subaru Impreza STi. Also hoping to end the 2023 season well will be Geoff Cottrill/Nathan Crewe (Mitsubishi Evo 9), Rob and Ashley Aslett (Rigfone Electric Contractors Subaru Impreza) and Richard Ceen/Alun Hayward in their MSL Motorsport-prepared Coedwigaeth Pencelyn-backed Ford Fiesta R5.

It's an incredibly close battle in the OnThePaceNote-supported Welsh Junior Championship, with the top six drivers separated by just 23 points and all still in contention for the title.

With two class wins to his name, Callum Griffiths (co-driven by William Lewis) heads the standings in his Presteigne Tyre Services-supported Fiesta ST and only needs to finish first or second to guarantee the title.

Sam Mason (co-driven by James Seymour) is second, just eight points behind, in his SM Autocare Ford Fiesta - and is tied on points with Callum's brother Liam (who is co-driven by Daniel James in another Fiesta ST). Mason has won one and finished second twice on the last three rallies, while Griffiths is looking for his first win having finished second twice.

Gethin Price (co-driven this time by Steven Brown) in his RKP Haulage Nissan Micra, Dylan Fowler Bishop (co-driven by Dan Evans) in his Restruct Nissan Micra and Luke Watts (co-driven by Matt Rogers) in his NJ Auto Repairs MG ZR are in fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively - and having already dropped two scores, they can count every point they collect on the Wyedean.

Sam Mason also has a great chance to steal the class W4 title. He's currently second, but with leader Tony Simpson (NGK/Seacon UK Ford Fiesta) unable to contest the event, the Bewdley youngster is in prime position to clinch the trophy.

Iwan Roberts/Daniel Jones (Roberts of Ffestiniog Ford Escort G3) and Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees (Flying Kiwi Ford Escort Mk2) go into a head-to-head battle for the Hockly Motorsport-supported 2WD category title. Two of the most spectacular drivers in the series have each won the class three times this year - and whilst Roberts Jnr leads by 17 points, he can only improve his score by six points, while Kershaw (who is an impressive sixth in the overall driver standings, one point ahead of Roberts) can add 25 to his current total.

Aiming to catch both out and steal a last-minute maximum 2WD class score are Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins (Hartpury Farms Escort Mk2) and Ricky Crone/Ifan Devine (MS Textiles Ford Escort Mk2).

Andrew and Jaime-Lee Fox arrive at the Wyedean as the new class W12 champions, with second on the Cambrian (added to three wins and a third) giving the Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325 crew the title. They've had a great year-long battle with Dan Chester/Paul Barbet, who just miss out on the title despite a class victory last time out in their Dan's Action Vehicles BMW E30. Mike Brown/Nikola Brown (BMW Compact M3) and David Jones/Glyn Price (Tanners Arms/GJ Price Transport BMW E30) are also ones to watch.

The class W10 title has been decided in favour of Martin Walters/Marie Fletcher (Digger Parts Direct Honda), but that won't stop the likes of Alan Desbois (co-driven this time by Clive 'Selwyn' Jones in his Peugeot 306 RWD), Michael Jenkins (co-driven this time by Jordan Joines in his Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta) and two-time class winner Lucy Wigley/Emma Cooper (Redware CitroÃ«n C2) aiming for a top step of the podium end of season finish.

The close battle for the Hockly Motorsport-supported class W2 title has gone down to the wire. Dylan Fowler Bishop is five points ahead of Gethin Price at the top of the leaderboard, but a class win in his JFB Motorsport-prepared T2 Fabrication Nissan Micra could see third place Ashley Francis-Adams (co-driven by Tudor Jenkins) leapfrog both of them.

Likewise, Nigel and Kaz Jenkins may be down in fourth, but they've won class W2 three times this year, including last time out on the Cambrian, and another victory could see the rapid NJ Auto Repairs Vauxhall Nova crew steal the trophy.

James Dunkley (co-driven this time by Simon Cox) will also be out for class success in his Vauxhall Corsa, having shown a great turn of speed on the Rallynuts Stages.

Several of the Restruct Welsh Historic class titles have been won, although there will be some intriguing battles on the Wyedean.

David Llewellin won the event in 1985 and '90 and this time his son Tom will be in action in a Weir Rallying Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2. Co-driven by Sion Williams, don't be surprised to see the former Welsh Junior champion challenge for a top 10 Pirelli Welsh overall position.

Also returning in another Dave Jenkins Motorsport-built car are Jonathan Brace/Paul Spooner in their fantastic Brace's Bakery Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1. They couldn't contest all the rounds this year but won three of the four events they have started.

Charles Hopkinson/Alan Jones also return in their Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2, while Graham Thatcher - won finished runner-up in the Road Rally class last year - debuts a Triumph TR7 V8, with class winning co-driver Tim Samuel alongside.

The result of the Wyedean will determine the top three finishers in each Historic class and who will be put forward for the David Stokes Historic Challenge award for drivers and the Guy Weaver award for co-drivers.

The Witham Group special awards will be handed out on the Wyedean, with the lucky winners in the 2WD, 4WD and Historic categories each receiving a £50 voucher.

Organised by Dean Motor Club, the 45th running of the Wyedean will contain seven special stages totalling 41 miles in the picturesque Forest of Dean. There will be three stages in the morning, a midday service halt at Coleford, followed by a re-run of the three stages, a return for a final service and finally a run through a single stage before the finish. The first car will leave the start at Folly Farm in Coleford at 08:00 and return there for the finish at 17:00. Rally headquarters will be at the nearby Forest Hills Golf Club.

Spectator information is available at: wyedeanstages.co.uk.

The Wyedean Rally 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.

Further details on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.

For more information, please contact:
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli 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 Welsh Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Picture captions (from top to bottom right)
Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Ford Fiesta R5)
Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee Fox (BMW 325)
Simon Rogers/James How (Mitsubishi Evo 6)
Martyn Andrews/Steve Greenhill (Subaru Impreza)
Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe (Subaru Impreza)
Bob Morgan/Ade Williams (Å koda Fabia R5)
Nik Elsmore/Pauline Nash (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)
Steve Hollis/Tim Currie (Volkswagen Golf R)
Colin Minton/Bonnie Papper (Ford Fiesta R5)
Colin Griffiths/Marc Morgan (Subaru Impreza STi)
Callum Griffiths/William Lewis (Ford Fiesta ST)
Liam Griffiths/Daniel James (Ford Fiesta ST)
Sam Mason/James Seymour (Ford Fiesta)
Gethin Price/Sion Rowlands (Nissan Micra)
Dylan Fowler Bishop/Dan Evans (Nissan Micra)
Iwan Roberts/Daniel Jones (Ford Escort G3)
Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees (Ford Escort Mk2)
Jonathan Brace/Paul Spooner (Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1)
Lucy Wigley/Emma Cooper (CitroÃ«n C2)
Nigel Jenkins/Kaz Jenkins (Vauxhall Nova)
Charles Hopkinson/Alan Jones (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2)
Ashley Francis-Adams/Tudor Jenkins (Nissan Micra)
James Dunkley/Simon Cox (Vauxhall Corsa)
Tom Llewellin/Sion Williams (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2)
Alan Desbois/Clive 'Selwyn' Jones (Peugeot 306 RWD)

Pictures by Paul Mitchell. Please credit 'Paul Mitchell Photography' if used.
paulmitchellphotography@gmail.com

Russ Thompson’s Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship victory on the Cambrian blows the title fight wide open

Russ Thompson's Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship victory on the Cambrian blows the title fight wide open

Russ Thompson and Stephen Link have kept the fight for the 2023 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship overall drivers' and co-drivers' titles well and truly alive after scoring maximum points on the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally (Saturday 28 October).

Their first Pirelli Welsh win since the 2019 Woodpecker Rally - the year in which they finished runner-up in the championship - ensures that the titles won't be decided until the final round of the series, the Wyedean Stages Rally (Saturday 18 November).

The Clitheroe driver found himself in a big Pirelli Welsh lead on the Cambrian after Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear retired their Delta Salvage/Witham Group Ford Fiesta R5 at the end of the morning loop of stages.

The championship leaders had been 10.1 seconds quicker through the opening Elsi stage and extended that advantage to 24 seconds after SS2 (Craig). On paper they were leading by 23.2 seconds after SS3, but in reality their rally was over having brushed a bank in Brenig and damaging the radiator beyond repair. Having scored maximum Pirelli Welsh points on the first four rounds of the series, this was the second retirement in a row and cuts the defending champion's lead to just 10 points with only the final round remaining.

Russ had been their closest rival in North Wales and his strategy of keeping it tidy and not making a mistake was paying off, as he now found himself leading the Pirelli Welsh category by a minute and a half in his Dunnow Plant Mitsubishi Evo 9 - his only minor hiccup over the opening slippery stage miles being hitting bales at a chicane on the asphalt section in Brenig. The pressure was on, but his task of reaching the finish was made slightly easier when the penultimate stage (Elsi 2) was cancelled.

There was a last minute scare when Russ hit a rock in the closing 13 mile stage in Clocaenog, and he was delighted to reach the finish on Llandudno Promenade and celebrate his first Pirelli Welsh win for four years.

Having secured the Welsh Challenge title last time out, Martyn Andrews scored his best Pirelli Welsh overall result of the season with second place, and pick up the special 4WD Witham Group award. Partnered by Steve Greenhill (who has secured the Welsh Challenge co-drivers' crown), he enjoyed a great and largely trouble-free day in his Opie Oils Subaru Impreza STi N12.

Iwan Roberts hit problems on SS2 when a rear shock absorber exploded, yet he still managed to set a good time in his Roberts of Ffestiniog Ford Escort G3. His speed continued in the afternoon, with him and co-driver Daniel Jones collecting points for third in the overall Pirelli Welsh standings and winning the Hockly Motorsport-supported 2WD category by a very impressive 36.5 seconds. The result also sees them take the lead in class W11.

Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees have jumped up to second in the 2WD category after an excellent run - the Flying Kiwi Ford Escort Mk2 driver saying that the final test in the now little used Clocaenog complex was "brilliant - the perfect Welsh rally stage."

Two punctures in the opening two stages didn't help Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins, especially as they also had to be extra careful in SS3 as the Hartpury Farms Escort Mk2 crew had no spare left. Despite finishing well down the order, leaving him unable to win the 2WD title, Geoff collected the special 2WD Witham Group award on the event.

Tied on points with Geoff is Ricky Crone. Co-driven by Ifan Devine, he overshot a junction on SS1 and had to reverse back - but after that he enjoyed another good run in his two-litre Toyota 3SGE engined MS Textiles Ford Escort Mk2.

David Tomlin/Keith Ashley enjoyed their best result of the season after a sensible run to fourth place Pirelli Welsh overall points in their Axon Ford Fiesta R5. This moves the Worcester drive up eight places in the standings and into the top 10.

Simon Rogers didn't have a good start, the MacWhirter Motorsport-prepared Mitsubishi Evo 6 driver lacking grip and speed in the morning. Co-driven by James How, he did score fifth place points - which moves him up to second position in the overall points table, just 10 points behind Hirst and in a big fight for the title.

Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe kissed a fence post in SS3, but otherwise survived a very slippery day to score another well deserved Pirelli Welsh top 10 finish in their Geoff Jones Motorsport-prepared Subaru Impreza N12b.

Colin Minton/Bonnie Papper enjoyed another good run in their Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5 to finish just outside the Pirelli Welsh top 10, while Richard Ceen/Alun Hayward keep getting better the more rallies they do in their MSL Motorsport-prepared Coedwigaeth Pencelyn-backed Ford Fiesta R5, with the Cambrian continuing that theme as they took home 12th placed points.

Steve Hollis/Tim Currie had to overcome flat-shift gearbox problems in their Volkswagen Golf V R32 - but then lost over a minute on the final stage when the exhaust on their V6 Jaguar-engined machine ripped off at the manifold. The car filled with so much smoke that the crew feared that the car was on fire, but they still managed to reach the finish to score valuable points.

Frazer Martin (co-driven by Dylan Bargate) had a good run in his Sideways Mitsubishi Evo 6 to score his first points of the season.

Colin Griffiths/Marc Morgan had a "nightmare" opening stage, with so little grip and an off in Elsi. Worse was to follow, as a mistake at a chicane saw them pick up a 10 minute penalty, leaving the Subaru Impreza STi crew well down the order - but having nevertheless enjoyed the event.

Daniel Moss/Sam Davies hit engine management / anti-lag problems on the opening stage in their Hurst Haylage Mitsubishi Evo 10 and called it a day after a sharp stone caused a puncture on the next test.

The Presteigne Tyre Services-supported Fiesta ST Griffiths brothers, Callum and Liam, enjoyed a great battle in the OnThePaceNote-supported Welsh Junior Championship - with absolutely nothing left on the table on a big push through the final stage.

Liam (co-driven by Daniel James) was 4.2 seconds quicker through SS5 (despite a visit to a ditch), but it wasn't enough to overturn the result, as Callum (co-driven by William Lewis) took the Welsh Junior victory by a mere 10.4 seconds - despite sliding up a bank on the final stage and picking up a slow puncture.

Sam Mason (co-driven by James Seymour) continues to impress in his SM Autocare Ford Fiesta, and having finished third in the Juniors remains second in the points table - now eight points behind Callum.

It was mission accomplished for class W2 leader Dylan Fowler Bishop (co-driven by Dan Evans) who drove for a finish in his Restruct Nissan Micra to keep his Welsh Junior title hopes alive. He is now tied on points with Gethin Price (co-driven by Sion Rowlands) who had an equally good run in his RKP Haulage Nissan Micra - despite coming closed to rolling the car on SS3.

Luke Watts (co-driven by Matt Rogers) had brake issues which left the rear of his NJ Auto Repairs MG ZR trying to overtake the front of the car every time he slowed down. He did well to reach the finish and, whilst he is sixth in the points table, still has a chance of lifting the Welsh Junior title.

Despite overshooting a corner and stalling the engine on the opening stage, Nigel and Kaz Jenkins scored maximum class W2 points in their NJ Auto Repairs Vauxhall Nova after beating Dave and Freddy Brick, who did well to reach the finish after slipping clutch dramas in their TNT Tyres-backed Vauxhall Nova.

Ashley Francis-Adams (co-driven by Tudor Jenkins) had problems on the opening stage when the battery light came on in his T2 Fabrication Nissan Micra - but a squashed wire was quickly located and fixed to allow him to finish fourth in the
Hockly Motorsport-supported class W2 and maintain his third place in the standings.

Kelvin Evans/Ifan Rowlands had a good run in their CWL Hire Nissan Micra, as did Ed James (co-driven by Charlie Mason) in his Rallynuts/SJ Gaskets Micra Kit Car. Chris Bush (co-driven by Robert Bryn 'Chicken' Jones) wasn't so lucky, after the throttle cable snapped on his Bushtec Recycling Opel Corsa leaving the start line of SS1.

Tony Simpson (co-driven by Stefan Arndt) still leads class W4, despite an early bath in his NGK/Seacon UK Ford Fiesta. A second class win in three rounds moves Sam Mason (Fiesta) up to joint second in the class W4 standings, tied on points with Alex Cannon - who suffered a puncture on SS3 in his Rallyworld/Service Sport Fiesta R2. Sam's co-driver James Seymour is now just one point behind Alex's co-driver, Alan Carfrae, at the top of the navigators' points table. Adam Clews (co-driven by Mark Thomas) scored his second class podium finish of the season after a good run in his A&C Windscreens and Auto Locksmiths Ford Fiesta R2.

A class W10 win adds the co-drivers' title for Marie Fletcher to the drivers' title already won by Martin Walters after a good performance in their Digger Parts Direct Honda. Michael Jenkins (co-driven this time by Tom TÃ¶rngren) finished second in class in his Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta.

Andrew and Jaime-Lee Fox have taken the class W12 lead at a critical time in the series in their Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325, but had to settle for second this time to class winners Dan Chester/Paul Barbet who were on inspired form in their Dan's Action Vehicles BMW E30

The scores to drop rule means that the title fight is wide open, with third placed Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel (Britpart Escort Mk2) very much in contention as well.

Julian Birley/Emyr Hall have wrapped up the class W5 title in their Talbot Sunbeam. The Bala driver was delighted with the class win (on what was the car's 75th event) and the special Witham Group Historic award.

It's game set and match in class W8 as well, with a third class win of the season securing the title for Andrew Stokes/Jonny Tad Evans in their Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1.

The top three finishers in each Restruct Welsh Historic class - including class W9 which is yet to be decided - 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.

The live streamed coverage from the Cambrian Rally remains available to view on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship and Special Stage TV Facebook pages.

The seventh and final round of the 2023 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship is the 45th Wyedean Stages Rally on Saturday 18 November.

Further details on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.

2023 Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally - top 10 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship finishers:
1. Russ Thompson/Stephen Link (Mitsubishi Evo 9).......38mins 25.1secs
2. Martyn Andrews/Steve Greenhill (Subaru Impreza).......41mins 07.7secs
3. Iwan Roberts/Daniel Jones (Ford Escort G3).......41mins 47.3secs
4. David Tomlin/Keith Ashley (Ford Fiesta R5).......42mins 11.2secs
5. Simon Rogers/James How (Mitsubishi Evo 6).......42mins 18.6secs
6. Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees (Ford Escort Mk2).......42mins 23.8secs
7. Callum Griffiths/William Lewis (Ford Fiesta ST).......42mins 27.0secs
8. Liam Griffiths/Daniel James (Ford Fiesta ST).......42mins 37.4secs
9. Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe (Subaru Impreza).......42mins 56.8secs
10. Ricky Crone/Ifan Devine (Ford Escort Mk2).......43mins 00.7secs

2023 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship
Overall drivers' points after Round 6:
1. Matthew Hirst.......125pts
2. Simon Rogers.......115pts
3. Martyn Andrews.......111pts
4. Russ Thompson.......111pts
5. Wug Utting.......95pts
6. Boyd Kershaw.......84pts

Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pictures by Paul Mitchell. Please credit 'Paul Mitchell Photography' if used.
paulmitchellphotography@gmail.com

Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship up for grabs on the Visit Conway Cambrian Rally

Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear will have another chance to clinch the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship title for a third time on this weekend's penultimate round of the series, the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally (Saturday 28 October).

In a carbon copy of last year, the Delta Salvage/Witham Group Ford Fiesta R5 crew scored maximum points on the first four rounds of their 2023 campaign, only for their Woodpecker Stages jinx to deny them a five out of five clean sweep.

Having contested the Cambrian every year since 2018, Hirst knows the event well and was the top Pirelli Welsh finisher last year - and the Doncaster ace will be hoping to wrap this year's Welsh title up with a round to spare.

"The Cambrian Rally is an event which crews want to perform well on given the previous winners of the event reading like an A-Z of British rallying royalty," says Hirst.

"I must admit, it was a personal highlight getting to shake Mr Hollywood himself Petter Solbergs' hand last year on the seafront in Llandudno after Oliver [Solberg] showed us what a top line works driver can do on these stages.

"One of the things I enjoy about this event is how it reinvents itself year on year. The route tends to be unpredictable which certainly adds to the challenge with the preparation going into the event from a pace notes perspective."

Russ Thompson/Stephen Link have finished second on all three Pirelli Welsh rounds they have contested so far this year and will be aiming for another strong podium finish this time out in their Dunnow Plant Mitsubishi Evo 9.

Martyn Andrews has been a revelation this year and has already secured the Welsh Challenge title. Co-driven by Steve Greenhill, the Welwyn Garden City pilot is also second in the overall standings, after five high scoring finishes in his Opie Oils Subaru Impreza STi N12.

Simon Rogers has also been on fantastic form this year, finishing fourth three times in his MacWhirter Motorsport-prepared Mitsubishi. Co-driven by James How, the Radlett driver will be aiming for his first Pirelli Welsh podium finish of the season in his rapid yellow Evo 6.

Colin Minton (partnered by the newly crowned Pirelli Welsh Junior co-driver champion Bonnie Papper) will be aiming for a good run in his Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5. The Swindon driver has been growing in confidence this year and his points score has increased with each round so far.

Daniel Moss/Samuel Davies will be hoping to bounce back from retiring on the Woodpecker with a strong showing in their Hurst Haylage Mitsubishi Evo 10. Like several other crews, they have effectively already dropped two scored and can count all the points they score between now and the end of the series.

Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe arrive at the Cambrian lying an impressive fourth overall in their smart Geoff Jones Motorsport-prepared Subaru Impreza N12b, while on form Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas appear in their Green Paw Subaru Impreza STi N11.

Other 4WD crews to look out for include David Tomlin/Keith Ashley in their Axon Ford Fiesta R5,

Richard Ceen/Alun Hayward in their MSL Motorsport-prepared Coedwigaeth Pencelyn-backed Ford Fiesta R5,

Colin Griffiths/Marc Morgan in their ex-Mikko Hirvonen/Alister McRae Subaru Impreza STi

Steve Hollis/Tim Currie in their Volkswagen Golf V R32.

With all but two of 18 Pirelli Welsh class titles still up for grabs, battles will be raging throughout the field - not least in the OnThePaceNote-supported Welsh Junior Championship, where the top six drivers are covered by just 15 points.

Callum Griffiths (co-driven by William Lewis) leads the category in his Presteigne Tyre Services-supported Fiesta ST and arrives at the penultimate round just three points ahead of Sam Mason who (co-driven by James Seymour) won the class last time out in his SM Autocare Ford Fiesta.

Callum's brother Liam Griffiths (who'll be reunited with co-driver Daniel James) is third, a further two points behind in his Fiesta ST.

Machynlleth's Gethin Price (co-driven by Sion Rowlands) is fourth in the Junior standings and will be aiming to repeat his Plains Rally class victory to help keep his title challenge alive in his RKP Haulage Nissan Micra.

Dylan Fowler Bishop (co-driven by Dan Evans) still has an outside chance of taking the Welsh Junior title in his Restruct Nissan Micra,

as has Luke Watts (co-driven by Matt Rogers) after scoring a class podium last time out in his NJ Auto Repairs MG ZR.

The flamboyant Iwan Roberts Jnr/Daniel Jones lead the highly competitive Hockly Motorsport-supported 2WD category in their Roberts of Ffestiniog Ford Escort G3.

Geoff Phelps is just eight points behind after an unblemished finishing record so far this season in his Hartpury Farms Escort Mk2. Co-driven by Colin Jenkins, the Gloucester man also leads class W11 and will be looking for his first podium finish of the season to strengthen his title challenge.

Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees remain in a strong position in the 2WD category. They have won the class three times and retired twice, meaning that they can count both their final scores in their Flying Kiwi Ford Escort Mk2.

Ricky Crone is 17 points behind Boyd in fifth, after a trio of good results in his two-litre Toyota 3SGE engined MS Textiles Ford Escort Mk2. Co-driven by Ifan Devine, the Montgomery man will certainly be aiming to finish the season on a high.

Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel lead class W12 in their Britpart Escort Mk2 but are only five points ahead of defending champions Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee Fox in their Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325. Dan Chester/Paul Barbet are also in contention for the W12 title after an excellent season so far in their Dan's Action Vehicles BMW E30.

Everything is still up for grabs in the Restruct Welsh Historic classes, with the additional incentive of the top three finishers in each class at the end of the season being put forward for the David Stokes Historic Challenge award for drivers and the Guy Weaver award for co-drivers.

Julian Birley/Emyr Hall lead class W5 in their Talbot Sunbeam, although rivals Mark and Debora Tugwell (Metalways Escort Mk1 Twin Cam) and Ian Beveridge/Paul Price (Toyota Corolla Levin TE27) have also won the class this year and remain title contenders.

Andrew Stokes/Jonny Tad Evans arrive in Llandudno with a healthy class W8 lead, thanks to two wins and three second place finishes. Another good result in their Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1 will secure them the title.

Lyn Davies/Aled Richards lead class W9 in their 57 Tyres-backed Escort RS1800 Mk2, and another strong result will nudge them closer to the title.

There is a close battle for the Hockly Motorsport-supported class W2 title, with the top five drivers separated by 12 points.

Dylan Fowler Bishop is just one point ahead of fellow Junior driver Gethin Price at the top of the table, but they are closely followed by Ashley Francis-Adams (co-driven by Tudor Jenkins) in his T2 Fabrication Nissan Micra, Kelvin Evans (co-driven by Ifan Rowlands) in his CWL Hire Nissan Mirca, and Chris Bush (co-driven by Robert Bryn 'Chicken' Jones) in his Bushtec Recycling Opel Corsa.

Having won class W2 twice, it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that Nigel and Kaz Jenkins could still win the title in their NJ Auto Repairs Vauxhall Nova, although two DNS and a DNF on the Woodpecker may work against them, even if they win the final two rounds of the series.

Meanwhile Dave Brick (co-driven by Freddy Brick) will be looking for his first finish in this year's W2 class in his TNT Tyres-backed Vauxhall Nova.

Martin Walters has already retained his class W10 title and will be aiming to secure the co-drivers' trophy for Marie Fletcher as the pair contest the event in their Digger Parts Direct Honda. Michael Jenkins (co-driven this time by Tom TÃ¶rngren) will be out to give the Civic crew a run for their money in their Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta.

Tony Simpson (co-driven by Stefan Arndt) is on the cusp of the class W4 title (and is third in the 2WD standings) after a great season which has netted four wins in his Seacon UK Ford Fiesta.

Alex Cannon (Rallyworld/Service Sport Fiesta R2) and Sam Mason (Fiesta) are separate by three points in a close battle for the runners-up spot, while their respective co-drivers, Alan Carfrae and James Seymour, are in a battle for the navigators' title. Having finished third in class on the Plains Rally, Adam Clews (co-driven by Mark Thomas) returns in his A&C Windscreens and Auto Locksmiths Ford Fiesta R2.

Also up for grabs on the Cambrian Rally will be the Witham Group special awards for registered 2WD, 4WD and Historic competitors.

Each year the North Wales Car Club organising team try to give the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally a new twist, and this year's route promises to be one of the most challenging and compact ones yet with a 45 mile/six stage all gravel format. Starting from Llandudno Promenade at 08:00, the morning's loop contains two new configurations of stages, one of which is nine miles long, while the final afternoon stage will be 14 miles long. The route also sees the return of the famous Clocaenog forest complex for the first time since 2014. Rally headquarters will be in the Venue Cymru theatre and concert centre, service will be in the grounds of Welsh Assembly Government buildings in Llandudno Junction, and the finish ceremony will be back on Llandudno Promenade from 16:30.

Spectator information is available at: cambrianrally.co.uk.

The Cambrian Rally 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.

Further details on the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.