Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship
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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 Törngren) 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 
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.
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 Törngren) 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
Pictures by Paul Mitchell. Please credit 'Paul Mitchell Photography' if used.
paulmitchellphotography@gmail.
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."
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 Törngren) 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.
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.
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.
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship
Pictures by Paul Mitchell. Please credit 'Paul Mitchell Photography' if used.
Final stage charge rewards Rob Wilson with maximum Championship points on the Woodpecker
Press release: 10 September 2023
A magnificent charge over the final stage of the Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker Stages (Saturday 9 September) rewarded Rob Wilson/Richard Crozier with a thrilling Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship win and maximum points, as the Mitsubishi Evo 7 crew finished a very impressive third overall.
The Ledbury driver had arrived at the eighth and final stage four seconds behind Russ Thompson/Stephen Link (Dunnow Plant Mitsubishi Evo 9) - but with the knowledge that his Pirelli Welsh rival had a failed anti-lag system and a high water temperature of 130°C.
Little had separated the two Evo drivers all day, and both had been forced to use the clutch to change gear when their flat-shift failed at exactly the same time mid-way through the event - and now the Pirelli Welsh win had come down to a closing 6.35 mile blast through Haye Park which, after an earlier delay, was run in fading light and hanging dust.
With Thompson forced to ease off, Wilson, the 2022 Welsh Junior and Challenge champion, admitted that he could not have driven through Haye Park any quicker - setting the joint fastest overall stage time and an incredible 10 seconds faster than Thompson to take the Pirelli Welsh victory by six seconds. 
On the hottest day of the year, Bob Morgan showed the younger drivers what can be achieved on such a physically draining event by completing the Pirelli Welsh podium. Co-driven by Ade Williams, the 66-year old spun his Pirelli-shod Winner Garage Å koda Fabia R5 on SS4, and lost more time in the afternoon when he caught the car in front (which was slowed with a broken drivershaft) and a misfire that temporarily put his Fabia onto three cylinders. But the impressive pace Morgan set when he was free to put his foot down secured the Pirelli Welsh podium and top 10 overall finish.
Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear were hoping to secure their third Pirelli Welsh driver and co-driver title. Having retired from the last three appearances, their Woodpecker curse continued - this time forcing them out with engine problems on their Delta Salvage/Witham Group Ford Fiesta R5 on the eve of the event.
This left Perry Gardener/Jack Bowen as favourites for victory and having set fastest time on each of the first three stages the 2001 Woodpecker winners had established a 14 second lead. However, they'd reach the flying finish of Hopton with damaged steering on their TNT Tyres-backed Ford Fiesta R5, and with a stage to go before midday service their rally was over.
Simon Rogers was slowed with a front left puncture on SS2, but the rhythm returned in the afternoon as he and co-driver James How enjoyed a good run to fourth Pirelli Welsh points. It was also an inspired choice to put spotlights on his MacWhirter Motorsport-prepared Mitsubishi Evo 6, which proved a considerable advantage on the darker sections of the final stage. Rogers moves up one place to third in the overall drivers' category.
Martyn Andrews survived a dramatic afternoon, which included no turbo boost in his Opie Oils Subaru Impreza STi N12 and the exhaust falling off. Despite this a finish maintains his second place position in the overall driver standings, while he and co-driver Steve Greenhill become 2023 Welsh Challenge champions. The cream on the top of an excellent day came in the form of the special Witham Group 4WD category prize.
Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas picked up a puncture halfway through SS2 in their Green Paw Subaru Impreza STi N11 and were 29 seconds faster through Ceri in the afternoon as they romped home to a fine seventh overall finish in the Pirelli Welsh section. 
Colin Griffiths had a great run to score his first top 10 Pirelli Welsh finish of the season in his ex-Mikko Hirvonen/Alister McRae Subaru Impreza STi. It was also a brilliant performance by his co-driver Marc Morgan, who was contesting his first ever rally.
Colin Minton had a wasp come into his Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5 on the morning loop of stages, with Bonnie Papper worried that she might swallow it as she read the pace notes! The wasp wisely decided that the afternoon loop wasn't for him, allowing the crew to have a good afternoon (particularly the second pass through Ceri) after they'd replaced a cracked brake disc. The result sees Papper crowned Pirelli Welsh Junior co-driver champion.
Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe had another good run in their Geoff Jones Motorsport-prepared Subaru Impreza N12b, which sees the Gatwick driver move from sixth to fourth in the overall points standings.
Richard Ceen/Alun Hayward finished the event in his smart MSL Motorsport-prepared Coedwigaeth Pencelyn-backed Ford Fiesta R5, Geoff Cottrill/Nathan Crewe overcame high engine temperature issues in their Mitsubishi Evo 9 to score yet another good finish, and Rob and Ashley Aslett reached the finish unscathed in their Rigfone Electric Contractors Subaru Impreza.
Steve Hollis/Tim Currie retired after rolling their Volkswagen Golf V R32 on SS1, Eddie Lewis/Sion Cunniff retired their Mechanical Solutions Ford Fiesta R5 after breaking a front driveshalft hallway through SS6, Daniel Moss/Samuel Davies retired their Hurst Haylage Mitsubishi Evo 10 at midday service with engine issues, Nik Elsmore/Rob Fagg retired their CDS Taxis & Private Hire Mitsubishi Evo 9 with broken steering after SS7 and David Tomlin (who was have to be co-driven by Keith Ashley in his Axon Ford Fiesta R5) didn't start as the event as it clashed with his father's 100th birthday!
Iwan Roberts Jnr/Daniel Jones won, and take the lead of, the Hockly Motorsport-supported 2WD category in their Roberts of Ffestiniog Ford Escort G3. They overshot a 90 right on SS2 and finished the event with an odd tapping noise coming from the engine. Their magnificent performance was rewarded with fifth in the overall Pirelli Welsh standings and an event class win.
Former SEAT Super Six champion Mike Brown Jnr took home sixth place Pirelli Welsh points (and second 2WD) in an usual looking BMW Compact M3, which had undergone significant surgery in an attempt to reduce its weight. A puncture towards the end of SS3 was his only problem, as he and co-driver Aled Davies scoring an excellent result.
Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins had a better afternoon in their Hartpury Farms Escort Mk2 having done the repeat loop of stages on softer tyres and losing a chunk of time with an overshoot on SS2. They remain second in 2WD.
Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees had led the 2WD section thanks to four wins but are now under pressure to score well on the remaining rounds having recorded their second DNF of the season. They were leading the category after SS3, but halfway through Haye Park a TCA broke on a fast fourth gear right hander. Their Flying Kiwi Ford Escort Mk2 hit a bank and hurtled down a hill, luckily avoiding all the trees.
Ricky Crone admitted to feeling a little rusty at the start, but he soon got into his rhythm in his two-litre Toyota 3SGE engined MS Textiles Ford Escort Mk2. Co-driven by Ifan Devine, the Montgomery man was unlucky to have a car re-join the stage in front of him on SS7, which saw him have to stop for 20 seconds to let the dust clear. Nevertheless, he finished a magnificent fourth in 2WD.
Just behind was Kevin Metcalfe, who'd had a stressful morning as his BMW E30 had refused to fire up and then intercom issues meant that he couldn't hear co-driver Lucie Gutteridge. It all came good in the afternoon, as he returned to his points scoring ways after two DNFs.
Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel continue to lead class W12 after a very enjoyable event in their Britpart Escort Mk2, with defending class champions Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee Fox still in second position after a strong run in their Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325.
Dan Chester finished re-building the engine on his Dan's Action Vehicles BMW E30 the evening before the event, after electrical issues had delayed things. He admitted to making a couple of mistakes on the morning loop but having woken up (his words not ours) in the afternoon, he and co-driver Paul Barbet enjoyed a good run, despite catching the car in front and getting delayed in dust.
David Jones/Glyn Price couldn't speak highly enough about the quality of the stages as they enjoyed another great run in their Tanners Arms/GJ Price Transport BMW E30. The Pirelli-shod crew were also the lucky recipients of the special Witham Group 2WD category prize.
Having made his rally debut on the Rallynuts, Steve Chaplin had a great run on what was technically only his third rally, but he was discounting the Nicky Grist Stages having retired so early. Partnered by Richard Suter, the Gloucester driver put in his best performance to date (despite a misfire on the opening stage) with another classy drive in his Escort Mk2 to win the highly competitive Restruct Welsh Historic class W9 category and the special Witham Group Historic prize.
Charles Hopkinson scored his first points of the season when he and Alan Jones finished a brilliant second in class in their Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800.
Ron Morgan spun his Restruct Ford Escort Mk2 on SS7 and lost time when undergrowth around a front wheel prevented him from making a quick getaway. Co-driven by Sion Jones, the Bridgend driver was delighted with a class W9 podium in his Wales Motorsport-built car.
Lyn Davies/Aled Richards continue to lead class W9 after finishing fourth in their 57 Tyres-backed Escort Mk2.
Robert Gough (co-driven by Paul Morris) remains second in class, although the deficit to Davies has grown from five to 24 points after his Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2 picked up a double puncture half a mile into the opening stage and he was forced to park up.
James Lepley had a new engine installed in his Escort Mk2 and felt that it wasn't aligned to the gearbox. After an unhappy morning, he and co-driver Simon Jones were soon to retire.
After two excellent results this year, including a class W9 win on the Plains Rally, Richard Jordan/James Gratton-Smith suffered a nasty accident in their Allroads Asphalt Solutions/Carrprep Escort Mk2, which saw SS5 red flagged. We wish them well for a speedy recovery.
Andrew Stokes survived more moments that he wanted to admit on his way to his second Historic class W8 win of the season. Co-driven by Jonny Tad Evans, add that to a trio of second place finishes in their Ford Escort RS1600 and the title is just fingertips away.
Jeremy Wells (co-driven this time by Martin Saunders) had another good run to second in class in his Wells Masonry Solutions Escort Mk1.
As well as the category trophies, the registered Restruct Welsh Historic 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.
Martin Walters has retained his class W10 title after registering his first class win (to go with four second place finishes) of the season, although it was a far from trouble-free run. Co-driven by Marie Fletcher, he lost a lot of time in the morning when he spun his Digger Parts Direct Honda Civic on SS2 and got stuck, while spectators came to Walters' rescue on SS7 after he overshot a right hander and got the car beached for four minutes.
Damian Thomas/Frazer Moss were enjoying their second event in their Thomas Design Peugeot 206, but after suffering clutch problems in the morning they retired at half distance.
The battle for the OnThePaceNote-supported Welsh Junior Championship title has been blown wide open after a broken driveshaft put Presteigne Tyre Services-supported Fiesta ST brothers Callum Griffiths (co-driven by William Lewis) and Liam Griffiths (co-driven this time by Daniel Petrie, who had navigated for him on his very first rally) out by midday.
Callum still leads the category, although his advantage has been reduced to three points after Sam Mason,pictured, (co-driven by James Seymour) won the class in his SM Autocare Ford Fiesta. The Bewdley youngster had started cautiously and, having grown in speed and confidence during the event, scored his first Junior win of the season.
Dylan Fowler Bishop (co-driven by Dan Evans) had a scrappy morning but finished second Juniors in his Restruct Nissan Micra, with Luke Watts/Matt Rogers completing the Junior podium in their NJ Auto Repairs MG ZR, despite catching a car on each of the first three stages.
Fowler Bishop has taken the lead of the Hockly Motorsport-supported class W2 after a maximum points score.
Chris Bush (co-driven by Robert Bryn 'Chicken' Jones) survived a couple of early overshoots and a visit to a ditch during the morning loop but was happy that his Bushtec Recycling Opel Corsa was finally coming together. He finished second in class W2, despite having to push the car into the final control after late engine compression issues.
Ashley Francis-Adams (co-driven by Tudor Jenkins) took the last class W2 podium position in his T2 Fabrication Nissan Micra, while Kelvin Evans (co-driven this time by Tomos Wyn Shakespeare) had a good run in his CWL Hire Nissan Mirca, despite early intercom problems.
Defending champions Adrian and Matthew Walk had a fright when their PartBOX Ford Ka stopped on SS1 with smoke coming out of the dashboard. The car re-started after three minutes and they completed the morning loop (after visiting a ditch on SS2), but retired midway through the afternoon.
Nigel and Kaz Jenkins hit engine problems in their NJ Auto Repairs Vauxhall Nova on SS2 and were forced to retire.
Dave Brick (co-driven by Emma Clarke) had a good run in the morning but having left midday service his TNT Tyres-backed Vauxhall Nova stopped on the road section to SS5 with fuel problems and refused to restart.
Tony Simpson has all-but won the class W4 title after scoring his fourth win of the season in his Seacon UK Ford Fiesta. Co-driven by Stefan Arndt, the Eccleston driver was unlucky to pick up a puncture on the afternoon's opening stage and without another spare had to undertake a clever bit of tyre management to finish the event, let alone win the class.
Junior driver Sam Mason finished second, while third place keeps Alex Cannon in the W4 runners-up spot after he and co-driver Alan Carfrae had a "great day" in their Rallyworld/Service Sport Fiesta R2.
The live streamed coverage from the Woodpecker Stages remains available to view on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship and Special Stage TV Facebook pages.
The sixth and penultimate round of the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship is the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally on Saturday 28 October.
Further details on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
2023 Woodpecker Stages - top 10 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship finishers:
1. Rob Wilson/Richard Crozier (Mitsubishi Evo 7).......45mins 26secs
2. Russ Thompson/Stephen Link (Mitsubishi Evo 9).......45mins 32secs
3. Bob Morgan/Ade Williams (Å koda Fabia R5).......48mins 14secs
4. Simon Rogers/James How (Mitsubishi Evo 6).......49mins 06secs
5. Iwan Roberts Jnr/Daniel Jones (Ford Escort G3).......49mins 24secs
6. Mike Brown Jnr/Aled Davies (BMW Compact M3).......50mins 02secs
7. Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas (Subaru Impreza).......50mins 12secs
8. Colin Griffiths/Marc Morgan (Subaru Impreza STi).......50mins 29secs
9. Tony Simpson/Stefan Arndt (Ford Fiesta).......50mins 53secs
10. Colin Minton/Bonnie Papper (Ford Fiesta R5).......50mins 58secs
2023 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship
Overall drivers' points after Round 5:
1. Matthew Hirst.......120pts
2. Martyn Andrews.......101pts
3. Simon Rogers.......97pts
4. Wug Utting.......81pts
5. Russ Thompson.......81pts
6. Robert Gough.......75pts
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.
A magnificent charge over the final stage of the Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker Stages (Saturday 9 September) rewarded Rob Wilson/Richard Crozier with a thrilling Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship win and maximum points, as the Mitsubishi Evo 7 crew finished a very impressive third overall.
The Ledbury driver had arrived at the eighth and final stage four seconds behind Russ Thompson/Stephen Link (Dunnow Plant Mitsubishi Evo 9) - but with the knowledge that his Pirelli Welsh rival had a failed anti-lag system and a high water temperature of 130°C.
Little had separated the two Evo drivers all day, and both had been forced to use the clutch to change gear when their flat-shift failed at exactly the same time mid-way through the event - and now the Pirelli Welsh win had come down to a closing 6.35 mile blast through Haye Park which, after an earlier delay, was run in fading light and hanging dust.
With Thompson forced to ease off, Wilson, the 2022 Welsh Junior and Challenge champion, admitted that he could not have driven through Haye Park any quicker - setting the joint fastest overall stage time and an incredible 10 seconds faster than Thompson to take the Pirelli Welsh victory by six seconds.
On the hottest day of the year, Bob Morgan showed the younger drivers what can be achieved on such a physically draining event by completing the Pirelli Welsh podium. Co-driven by Ade Williams, the 66-year old spun his Pirelli-shod Winner Garage Å koda Fabia R5 on SS4, and lost more time in the afternoon when he caught the car in front (which was slowed with a broken drivershaft) and a misfire that temporarily put his Fabia onto three cylinders. But the impressive pace Morgan set when he was free to put his foot down secured the Pirelli Welsh podium and top 10 overall finish.
Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear were hoping to secure their third Pirelli Welsh driver and co-driver title. Having retired from the last three appearances, their Woodpecker curse continued - this time forcing them out with engine problems on their Delta Salvage/Witham Group Ford Fiesta R5 on the eve of the event.
This left Perry Gardener/Jack Bowen as favourites for victory and having set fastest time on each of the first three stages the 2001 Woodpecker winners had established a 14 second lead. However, they'd reach the flying finish of Hopton with damaged steering on their TNT Tyres-backed Ford Fiesta R5, and with a stage to go before midday service their rally was over.
Simon Rogers was slowed with a front left puncture on SS2, but the rhythm returned in the afternoon as he and co-driver James How enjoyed a good run to fourth Pirelli Welsh points. It was also an inspired choice to put spotlights on his MacWhirter Motorsport-prepared Mitsubishi Evo 6, which proved a considerable advantage on the darker sections of the final stage. Rogers moves up one place to third in the overall drivers' category.
Martyn Andrews survived a dramatic afternoon, which included no turbo boost in his Opie Oils Subaru Impreza STi N12 and the exhaust falling off. Despite this a finish maintains his second place position in the overall driver standings, while he and co-driver Steve Greenhill become 2023 Welsh Challenge champions. The cream on the top of an excellent day came in the form of the special Witham Group 4WD category prize.
Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas picked up a puncture halfway through SS2 in their Green Paw Subaru Impreza STi N11 and were 29 seconds faster through Ceri in the afternoon as they romped home to a fine seventh overall finish in the Pirelli Welsh section.
Colin Griffiths had a great run to score his first top 10 Pirelli Welsh finish of the season in his ex-Mikko Hirvonen/Alister McRae Subaru Impreza STi. It was also a brilliant performance by his co-driver Marc Morgan, who was contesting his first ever rally.
Colin Minton had a wasp come into his Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5 on the morning loop of stages, with Bonnie Papper worried that she might swallow it as she read the pace notes! The wasp wisely decided that the afternoon loop wasn't for him, allowing the crew to have a good afternoon (particularly the second pass through Ceri) after they'd replaced a cracked brake disc. The result sees Papper crowned Pirelli Welsh Junior co-driver champion.
Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe had another good run in their Geoff Jones Motorsport-prepared Subaru Impreza N12b, which sees the Gatwick driver move from sixth to fourth in the overall points standings.
Richard Ceen/Alun Hayward finished the event in his smart MSL Motorsport-prepared Coedwigaeth Pencelyn-backed Ford Fiesta R5, Geoff Cottrill/Nathan Crewe overcame high engine temperature issues in their Mitsubishi Evo 9 to score yet another good finish, and Rob and Ashley Aslett reached the finish unscathed in their Rigfone Electric Contractors Subaru Impreza.
Steve Hollis/Tim Currie retired after rolling their Volkswagen Golf V R32 on SS1, Eddie Lewis/Sion Cunniff retired their Mechanical Solutions Ford Fiesta R5 after breaking a front driveshalft hallway through SS6, Daniel Moss/Samuel Davies retired their Hurst Haylage Mitsubishi Evo 10 at midday service with engine issues, Nik Elsmore/Rob Fagg retired their CDS Taxis & Private Hire Mitsubishi Evo 9 with broken steering after SS7 and David Tomlin (who was have to be co-driven by Keith Ashley in his Axon Ford Fiesta R5) didn't start as the event as it clashed with his father's 100th birthday!
Iwan Roberts Jnr/Daniel Jones won, and take the lead of, the Hockly Motorsport-supported 2WD category in their Roberts of Ffestiniog Ford Escort G3. They overshot a 90 right on SS2 and finished the event with an odd tapping noise coming from the engine. Their magnificent performance was rewarded with fifth in the overall Pirelli Welsh standings and an event class win.
Former SEAT Super Six champion Mike Brown Jnr took home sixth place Pirelli Welsh points (and second 2WD) in an usual looking BMW Compact M3, which had undergone significant surgery in an attempt to reduce its weight. A puncture towards the end of SS3 was his only problem, as he and co-driver Aled Davies scoring an excellent result.
Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins had a better afternoon in their Hartpury Farms Escort Mk2 having done the repeat loop of stages on softer tyres and losing a chunk of time with an overshoot on SS2. They remain second in 2WD.
Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees had led the 2WD section thanks to four wins but are now under pressure to score well on the remaining rounds having recorded their second DNF of the season. They were leading the category after SS3, but halfway through Haye Park a TCA broke on a fast fourth gear right hander. Their Flying Kiwi Ford Escort Mk2 hit a bank and hurtled down a hill, luckily avoiding all the trees.
Ricky Crone admitted to feeling a little rusty at the start, but he soon got into his rhythm in his two-litre Toyota 3SGE engined MS Textiles Ford Escort Mk2. Co-driven by Ifan Devine, the Montgomery man was unlucky to have a car re-join the stage in front of him on SS7, which saw him have to stop for 20 seconds to let the dust clear. Nevertheless, he finished a magnificent fourth in 2WD.
Just behind was Kevin Metcalfe, who'd had a stressful morning as his BMW E30 had refused to fire up and then intercom issues meant that he couldn't hear co-driver Lucie Gutteridge. It all came good in the afternoon, as he returned to his points scoring ways after two DNFs.
Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel continue to lead class W12 after a very enjoyable event in their Britpart Escort Mk2, with defending class champions Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee Fox still in second position after a strong run in their Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325.
Dan Chester finished re-building the engine on his Dan's Action Vehicles BMW E30 the evening before the event, after electrical issues had delayed things. He admitted to making a couple of mistakes on the morning loop but having woken up (his words not ours) in the afternoon, he and co-driver Paul Barbet enjoyed a good run, despite catching the car in front and getting delayed in dust.
David Jones/Glyn Price couldn't speak highly enough about the quality of the stages as they enjoyed another great run in their Tanners Arms/GJ Price Transport BMW E30. The Pirelli-shod crew were also the lucky recipients of the special Witham Group 2WD category prize.
Having made his rally debut on the Rallynuts, Steve Chaplin had a great run on what was technically only his third rally, but he was discounting the Nicky Grist Stages having retired so early. Partnered by Richard Suter, the Gloucester driver put in his best performance to date (despite a misfire on the opening stage) with another classy drive in his Escort Mk2 to win the highly competitive Restruct Welsh Historic class W9 category and the special Witham Group Historic prize.
Charles Hopkinson scored his first points of the season when he and Alan Jones finished a brilliant second in class in their Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800.
Ron Morgan spun his Restruct Ford Escort Mk2 on SS7 and lost time when undergrowth around a front wheel prevented him from making a quick getaway. Co-driven by Sion Jones, the Bridgend driver was delighted with a class W9 podium in his Wales Motorsport-built car.
Lyn Davies/Aled Richards continue to lead class W9 after finishing fourth in their 57 Tyres-backed Escort Mk2.
Robert Gough (co-driven by Paul Morris) remains second in class, although the deficit to Davies has grown from five to 24 points after his Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2 picked up a double puncture half a mile into the opening stage and he was forced to park up.
James Lepley had a new engine installed in his Escort Mk2 and felt that it wasn't aligned to the gearbox. After an unhappy morning, he and co-driver Simon Jones were soon to retire.
After two excellent results this year, including a class W9 win on the Plains Rally, Richard Jordan/James Gratton-Smith suffered a nasty accident in their Allroads Asphalt Solutions/Carrprep Escort Mk2, which saw SS5 red flagged. We wish them well for a speedy recovery.
Andrew Stokes survived more moments that he wanted to admit on his way to his second Historic class W8 win of the season. Co-driven by Jonny Tad Evans, add that to a trio of second place finishes in their Ford Escort RS1600 and the title is just fingertips away.
Jeremy Wells (co-driven this time by Martin Saunders) had another good run to second in class in his Wells Masonry Solutions Escort Mk1.
As well as the category trophies, the registered Restruct Welsh Historic 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.
Martin Walters has retained his class W10 title after registering his first class win (to go with four second place finishes) of the season, although it was a far from trouble-free run. Co-driven by Marie Fletcher, he lost a lot of time in the morning when he spun his Digger Parts Direct Honda Civic on SS2 and got stuck, while spectators came to Walters' rescue on SS7 after he overshot a right hander and got the car beached for four minutes.
Damian Thomas/Frazer Moss were enjoying their second event in their Thomas Design Peugeot 206, but after suffering clutch problems in the morning they retired at half distance.
The battle for the OnThePaceNote-supported Welsh Junior Championship title has been blown wide open after a broken driveshaft put Presteigne Tyre Services-supported Fiesta ST brothers Callum Griffiths (co-driven by William Lewis) and Liam Griffiths (co-driven this time by Daniel Petrie, who had navigated for him on his very first rally) out by midday.
Callum still leads the category, although his advantage has been reduced to three points after Sam Mason,pictured, (co-driven by James Seymour) won the class in his SM Autocare Ford Fiesta. The Bewdley youngster had started cautiously and, having grown in speed and confidence during the event, scored his first Junior win of the season.
Dylan Fowler Bishop (co-driven by Dan Evans) had a scrappy morning but finished second Juniors in his Restruct Nissan Micra, with Luke Watts/Matt Rogers completing the Junior podium in their NJ Auto Repairs MG ZR, despite catching a car on each of the first three stages.
Fowler Bishop has taken the lead of the Hockly Motorsport-supported class W2 after a maximum points score.
Chris Bush (co-driven by Robert Bryn 'Chicken' Jones) survived a couple of early overshoots and a visit to a ditch during the morning loop but was happy that his Bushtec Recycling Opel Corsa was finally coming together. He finished second in class W2, despite having to push the car into the final control after late engine compression issues.
Ashley Francis-Adams (co-driven by Tudor Jenkins) took the last class W2 podium position in his T2 Fabrication Nissan Micra, while Kelvin Evans (co-driven this time by Tomos Wyn Shakespeare) had a good run in his CWL Hire Nissan Mirca, despite early intercom problems.
Defending champions Adrian and Matthew Walk had a fright when their PartBOX Ford Ka stopped on SS1 with smoke coming out of the dashboard. The car re-started after three minutes and they completed the morning loop (after visiting a ditch on SS2), but retired midway through the afternoon.
Nigel and Kaz Jenkins hit engine problems in their NJ Auto Repairs Vauxhall Nova on SS2 and were forced to retire.
Dave Brick (co-driven by Emma Clarke) had a good run in the morning but having left midday service his TNT Tyres-backed Vauxhall Nova stopped on the road section to SS5 with fuel problems and refused to restart.
Tony Simpson has all-but won the class W4 title after scoring his fourth win of the season in his Seacon UK Ford Fiesta. Co-driven by Stefan Arndt, the Eccleston driver was unlucky to pick up a puncture on the afternoon's opening stage and without another spare had to undertake a clever bit of tyre management to finish the event, let alone win the class.
Junior driver Sam Mason finished second, while third place keeps Alex Cannon in the W4 runners-up spot after he and co-driver Alan Carfrae had a "great day" in their Rallyworld/Service Sport Fiesta R2.
The live streamed coverage from the Woodpecker Stages remains available to view on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship and Special Stage TV Facebook pages.
The sixth and penultimate round of the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship is the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally on Saturday 28 October.
Further details on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
2023 Woodpecker Stages - top 10 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship finishers:
1. Rob Wilson/Richard Crozier (Mitsubishi Evo 7).......45mins 26secs
2. Russ Thompson/Stephen Link (Mitsubishi Evo 9).......45mins 32secs
3. Bob Morgan/Ade Williams (Å koda Fabia R5).......48mins 14secs
4. Simon Rogers/James How (Mitsubishi Evo 6).......49mins 06secs
5. Iwan Roberts Jnr/Daniel Jones (Ford Escort G3).......49mins 24secs
6. Mike Brown Jnr/Aled Davies (BMW Compact M3).......50mins 02secs
7. Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas (Subaru Impreza).......50mins 12secs
8. Colin Griffiths/Marc Morgan (Subaru Impreza STi).......50mins 29secs
9. Tony Simpson/Stefan Arndt (Ford Fiesta).......50mins 53secs
10. Colin Minton/Bonnie Papper (Ford Fiesta R5).......50mins 58secs
2023 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship
Overall drivers' points after Round 5:
1. Matthew Hirst.......120pts
2. Martyn Andrews.......101pts
3. Simon Rogers.......97pts
4. Wug Utting.......81pts
5. Russ Thompson.......81pts
6. Robert Gough.......75pts
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship
Pictures by Paul Mitchell. Please credit 'Paul Mitchell Photography' if used.
paulmitchellphotography@gmail.
Championship Points Table updated.
The championship points tables have been updated,see POINTS TABLE
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