News

Competitors in the Pirelli MSA Welsh Stage Rally Championship will be back in action this weekend as they tackle the second round of the eight round series, the Viking Motorsport/Links Electrical Mid Wales Stages.

The Newtown based event will see crews competing over 45 miles of classic Welsh forest roads in Hafren, Myherin, Pikes Peak and the Sweet Lamb Rally Complex.  Seeded at one on the event is Alex Allingham. The Winsford driver took Group N honours for near showroom specification cars in the 2013 series but missed the opening round of this year's Championship, the Wyedean Rally. So he and co-driver Chris Williams from Daventry will be looking to get their 2014 campaign off to a strong start in their Subaru Impreza.

With round one winner, Rhuddlan's Luke Francis not entered for this event, Roland Llewellin from Haverfordwest will be anxious to make up ground in the title fight. The Mitsubishi Evo driver finished third on the opening round and was top Group N finisher.

Another driver getting his Championship campaign underway is Dan Humphreys. The Bettws Cedewain driver is partnered on his home event by Ian Pryce in their Mitsubishi Evo 9.

Wrexham duo Richard and Sarah Ceen missed the Wyedean Rally with a leaking fuel tank on their Ford Focus World Rally Car so they, too will be looking to make up ground while Worcester duo Paul Davy and Roger Allen will be aiming to build on the fourth place they secured on the opening round  in their Subaru Impreza. Meanwhile Wug Utting will be bringing his similar car over from Surrey for his first Championship outing of the year.

Another Impreza driver is Ludlow's James Hamer, partnered by Mike Baker while in the two wheel drive category, Rob Dennis from Wiltshire got his defence of the 2013 crown off to the best possible start with a category win on the Wyedean and he and co-driver Ian Jones will be hoping to repeat that feat this weekend in their Mark 2 Escort.

Among their two wheel drive rivals are local duo Malcolm Bayliss and Siobhan Pugh in a Mark 1 Escort and Welshpool's Kevin Nunns and Chris Ware from Shrewsbury competing in a BMW 318iS.

Competitors will leave the town centre start in Newtown from 9am and there are three spectator points on the Pikes Peak and Sweet Lamb Stages with an entry fee of £5 per car.

You can find more spectator information on the event web site, www.midwalesstages.co.uk, and more about the championship at www.wnrc.wamc.org.uk or follow it on Twitter @WnRC.

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Issued 24th February 2014