Rob Wilson scooped a stack of major Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship titles after a stunning display on the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally saw the youngster collect the OnThePaceNote.co.uk supported Welsh Junior title, the Ravenol Welsh Challenge title, the class W13 crown and finished runner-up in the overall drivers' standings - having started the final round in fifth.
It marks a remarkable turnaround for the 19-year old Herefordshire driver, whose entire rally season was put in jeopardy when he rolled his Ravenol-backed Mitsubishi Evo 7 in pre-event testing.
The finale to the season was almost as dramatic, as Wilson had a worrying noise coming from his car's gearbox right from the start of the Llandudno-based event. Despite this distraction, he and co-driver Richard Crozier were fourth in the Pirelli Ravenol Welsh standings at half distance - and moved up to second after a brilliant run through the repeat of Clocaenog, Brenig, Alwen and Penmachno forest stages.
There was no stopping Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear, who had already been crowned the overall 2022 Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally champions, from winning once again in their Pirelli-shod Delta Salvage Ford Fiesta R5+ (although they did bounce off a tree, surviving with minor damage) - but this time the applause went to Wilson/Crozier on their truly outstanding season, which saw them win the Welsh Junior section five times from five starts.
"After an amazing debut season in a four-wheel drive car it all came down to this - and an incredible final result," said Wilson.
"The Cambrian was not easy as we were hampered by a gearbox issue and we seriously did not think we would make it through the day. Thank you to Richard [Crozier] for an incredible season, as well as dad and Sam for all their efforts on and off events.
"We knew it was possible to win the Welsh Junior, Ravenol Welsh Challenge and the class W13 titles, as well as finish runner-up in the overall points standings, and we pulled it off. A big thanks to everyone that was involved in the season!"
Liam Griffiths had led the Junior category for much of the year in his Discover Parks Ford Fiesta ST. He and co-driver Daniel James didn't have the best of days, as the car's engine cut out mid-way through the Alwen stage. He knew stopping Wilson was going to be a tall order, yet finishing runner-up was a great end of season result.
William Lewis won the Welsh Junior co-drivers' title, having guided Callum Griffiths to third in the Welsh Junior standings in their Presteigne Tyre Services Ford Fiesta ST all season.
Dai Lloyd Roberts/Gerallt Davies won the Welsh Historic class W7 in their Ford Escort Mk2 on the day, and in doing so clinched the title on the final round. Neal James/Kevin Jones finished runner-up in their Cwm Engineering Ford Escort Mk2, while Ben and Steven Smith take third in the series, despite retiring their Amigos Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1 mid-way through the Cambrian.
Michael McDaid/Declan Casey took the lead of the Historic class W8 on the penultimate round and secured the title with another win on the Cambrian in their McDaid Pharmacy Escort RS1800 Mk2. In what had been a thrilling battle all season, the Northern Irishman finished 26 points ahead of Nick Elliott.
Gary Smith/Phil Clarke had a slight off in Clocaenog but ended their year with a season-best second place finish in their Ford Escort Mk2.
Those who finish in the top three of each Historic class (W6, W7 and W8) will now be put forward for the David Stokes Historic Challenge award for drivers and the Guy Weaver award for co-drivers.
Russ Thompson took home third placed Pirelli Ravenol Welsh points in another great performance in his GPM/PD Extinguishers Mitsubishi Evo 9. Co-driven by Stephen Link, it was his second podium finish of the year and despite only contesting three rounds the 2019 series runner-up finished 10th in the final points standings.
James Giddings/Aled Davies hit a straw bale on the opening loop of stages but survived to score fourth placed championship points in their Fordpad Mitsubishi Evo 9. It also secured the Carmarthen driver fifth in the overall points rankings.
Just one point separated Bob Morgan (Winner Garage Å koda Fabia R5+) and John Caine (Phil Price Rally School Subaru Impreza) coming into the final round. In a dramatic finale, Caine (partnered by Andrew Sankey) took home fifth place points, one place ahead of Morgan (guided by Ade Williams) - although when the scores to drop rule was taken into account, Morgan finished third in the overall drivers' standings (with Caine in fourth), while Caine finished second in the Ravenol Rally Challenge and Morgan third - and on both occasions they were still separated by just one point.
Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas enjoyed another good run in their Geoff Jones Motorsport-prepared Green Paw Subaru Impreza to take home eighth placed Pirelli Ravenol Welsh points, while Martyn Andrews/Stephen Greenhill took ninth in their Subaru Impreza.
David Tomlin/Keith Ashley lost time at the start of a stage when their launch system failed to engage, but they nonetheless had another good run in their Axon Ford Fiesta R5.
Tony Simpson had been the top 2WD driver at mid-distance, after a tremendous morning in his Seacon UK/Kielder Tools Ford Fiesta R2T. In what would have been his 50th rally with his late co-driver Ian Bevan, he continued the good run over the afternoon loop of stages - and despite driving the final three miles of Brenig on a puncture, he and Jamie Edwards won the R2 class by 33 seconds and completed the Pirelli Ravenol Welsh top 10 - which was a truly magnificent achievement.
Perry Gardener lost time when he spun his Ford Fiesta R5 at the very first corner. Worse was to follow, as he was forced out with engine problems after Brenig - denying navigator Jack Bowen the Welsh Junior co-driver's title.
Richard Ceen/Alun Hayward retired their Coedwigaeth Pencelyn-backed Ford Focus WRC05 on SS4, while Benj Ceen/Caron Tomlinson lost a wheel on their Ford Fiesta R5 on the eighth and final stage.
Matthew Honeyborne/James Curtis retired their BMW 328 Coupe before SS3, while Michael Sawyer/Peter Ward failed to complete the afternoon loop in their 2350cc Datsun 1600.
Adrian and Matthew Walk retired their PartBOX Ford Ka on SS6, but they still managed to secure the class W3 title. Meanwhile, the newly crowned Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Road Rally class champion Brynli Thomas (co-driven by Sion Rowlands) finished the season off in style with a good home in his Peugeot 306 Rallye.
The Cambrian was live-streamed and all the footage, with commentary from Howard Davies, remains online and can be viewed at: facebook.com/WELSHRALLYCHAMPIONSHIP.
Further details on the Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally - top 10 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship finishers
1. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Ford Fiesta R5+).......46mins 15.0secs
2. Robert Wilson/Richard Crozier (Mitsubishi Evo 7).......48mins 56.3secs
3. Russ Thompson/Stephen Link (Mitsubishi Evo 9).......49mins 05.1secs
4. James Giddings/Aled Davies (Mitsubishi Evo 9).......49mins 28.0secs
5. John Caine/Andrew Sankey (Subaru Impreza).......51mins 20.8secs
6. Bob Morgan/Ade Williams (Å koda Fabia R5+).......52mins 18.9secs
7. Michael McDaid/Declan Casey (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2).......53mins 20.7secs
8. Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas (Subaru Impreza).......54mins 10.6secs
9. Martyn Andrews/Stephen Greenhill (Subaru Impreza).......54mins 18.9secs
10. Tony Simpson/Jamie Edwards (Ford Fiesta R2T).......54mins 26.6secs
2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
Overall drivers' points after Round 7
1. Matthew Hirst.......150pts
2. Robert Wilson.......122pts
3. Bob Morgan.......114pts
4. John Caine.......113pts
5. James Giddings.......103pts
6. Bob Ceen.......98pts
For more information please contact:
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Several major Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship class titles will be won on the final round of the series, the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally (Saturday 29 October) - most notably the OnThePaceNote.co.uk supported Welsh Junior and Historic awards.
Liam Griffiths has led the Junior category for much of the year in his Discover Parks Ford Fiesta ST and has scored highly on all six rounds so far. But with two scores to drop, he has been coming under increasing pressure from Rob Wilson, who has scored four wins from four starts in his Ravenol Mitsubishi Evo 7.
Such has been their pace all season that Griffiths (co-driven by Daniel James) is also fourth in the Pirelli Ravenol Welsh 2WD class, while Wilson (who will have regular navigator Richard Crozier back alongside) finished second overall last time out on the Wyedean Stages Rally and is one of several drivers still in with a shout of finishing runner-up in the overall drivers' standings.
Callum Griffiths can't win the Welsh Junior drivers' title, but he'll be keen to end the season on a high in his Presteigne Tyre Services Ford Fiesta ST, while his navigator William Lewis could still steal the co-drivers' award.
Michael McDaid took the lead of the Historic class W8 for the first time after scoring a magnificent class win on the Wyedean, and also finished as the top-placed two-wheel drive pilot in sixth overall. The County Fermanagh driver was 17th in the W8 points table after the second round, but one more good result in his McDaid Pharmacy Escort RS1800 Mk2 will give him and co-driver Declan Casey the coveted title.
Neal James/Kevin Jones (Cwm Engineering Ford Escort Mk2) and David Lloyd Roberts/Gerallt Wyn Davies (Ford Escort Mk2) are in a close battle for the Historic class W7 title. Just 15 points separate them, with James' unblemished run of sixth straight second place finishes and no retirements giving him the advantage going into the final round. That said, he can only increase his score by three points, whilst Roberts can add 25 points to his final tally.
Chris Squires/Shaun Hughes (Ford Escort Mk2) lead the Historic class W6.
Those who finish in the top three of each Historic class (W6, W7 and W8) 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.
Just one point separates Bob Morgan (Winner Garage Å koda Fabia R5+) and John Caine (Phil Price Rally School Subaru Impreza) at the top of the Ravenol Welsh Challenge - and both are battling for the runners-up position in the overall drivers' category too. The scores to drop rule will play a significant part in the outcome, as Morgan (guided by Ade Williams, who has already secured the Ravenol Welsh Challenge co-drivers' title) and Caine (partnered by Andrew Sankey) will leave nothing on the table as they do battle for the last time in 2022.
Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear were crowned the overall 2022 Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally champions last time out on the Wyedean, with victory in the Forest of Dean giving them a perfect 150 points score. They'll be out to have fun in their Pirelli-shod Delta Salvage Ford Fiesta R5+.
"Having won the title on the Wyedean, the pressure's off now and we're out to enjoy the Cambrian Rally," says Hirst.
"This will be the fifth time I've done the event. The stages are extremely challenging, but that's the way we like them."
Perry Gardener/Jack Bowen are the only other crew to have won a round of the Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship this year and will be aiming to follow up their Woodpecker Stages win with another victory in their Ford Fiesta R5.
The Ceen family will be out in force too, with Bob (the 2001 and 2015 Welsh champion), Benji (who has been flying in his first season in a 4WD car) and Richard, pictured, all hoping for a good run in a pair of Fiesta R5s and a Focus WRC05 - co-driven by Shaun Layland, Caron Tomlinson and Alun Hayward respectively.
Russ Thompson has only contested two rounds this year but finished fourth on the Rallynuts and second on the Woodpecker. The 2019 Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Championship runner-up is always one of the favourites for a maximum points score, and he and co-driver Stephen Link will be aiming for nothing less this time out in their GPM/PD Extinguishers Mitsubishi Evo 9.
James Giddings/Aled Davies hope to have repaired the turbo issue that halted their Fordpad Mitsubishi Evo 9 last time out, Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas will be aiming to continue their good run in their Geoff Jones Motorsport-prepared Green Paw Subaru Impreza, while David Tomlin/Keith Ashley arrive at the Cambrian off the back of their best result of the season in their Axon Ford Fiesta R5.
Adrian and Matthew Walk will be aiming to secure the class W3 title in their PartBOX Ford Ka, while newly crowned Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Road Rally class champion Brynli Thomas (co-driven by Sion Rowlands) will be doing a victory lap of honour in his Peugeot 306 Rallye.
Action from the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally will be live streamed on: facebook.com/
Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship crews will contest the Interclub section of the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally, which will consist of around 45 miles of loose surface roads over eight stages. The North Wales Car Club organised event will start and finish on the promenade on the seafront in Llandudno, rally headquarters will be at Venue Cymru and the centralised service area will be located in the car parks of the Welsh Government offices in Llandudno Junction.
Spectator information is available at: cambrianrally.co.uk.
Further details on the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
For more information please contact:
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pictures by Paul Mitchell, Jon Price and Russ Otway.
Matthew Hirst has won the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally
Championship title with a perfect 150 points score after winning the penultimate
round of the series, the Wyedean Stages Rally (Saturday 15 October).
It's the second time that Hirst and co-driver Declan Dear have been Welsh
champions, having won the title in 2019.
Driving his Pirelli-shod Delta Salvage Ford Fiesta R5+, Hirst scored maximum points
on the opening four rounds of the series - the WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales
in March, April's Rallynuts Stages Rally, the Plains Rally in mid-May and the Nicky
Grist Stages at the start of July - leaving the Doncaster driver only needing one
more good result to secure the title. And he did that in style in the Forest of Dean -
leading the 40-stage mile Wyedean Stages from start to finish and winning by a very
impressive 47 seconds.
"This season couldn't have gone better really, with five maximum scores from five
events," said Hirst.
"Coming into the Wyedean it felt that I had a lot to lose and not much to win, and to
win the Welsh Rally Championship again is a great feeling."
It was far from easy, as heavy showers of rain and fallen leaves made the forest
roads extremely slippery - and even Hirst wasn't immune to a few problems,
overshooting a couple of junctions on the opening loop of three stages and getting
tangled up with a barrel that had been positioned to prevent a corner being cut on
SS6.
19-year-old Robert Wilson scored this first overall forest rally stage win and his first
ever overall podium on his way to a stunning second place in his Ravenol Mitsubishi
Evo 7. Co-driven this time by Martin Haggett, the Herefordshire teenager survived a
few overshoots and an off on SS5 which saw the car come to rest on a tree stump,
but the great result jumps him to fifth in the overall drivers' standings. Wilson has
also closed the gap in the race for the OnThePaceNote.co.uk supported Welsh
Junior title, having scored four maximums from his four appearances.
Nik Elsmore/Rob Fagg (CDS Mitsubishi Evo 9) and John Caine/Andrew Sankey (Phil
Price Rally School Subaru Impreza) were tied for third going into the seventh and
final stage. But local knowledge paid dividends as Elsmore took one second per mile
out of Caine to secure the final podium position. It was a magnificent performance by
both crews, which sees Caine move from fifth to third in the overall Pirelli Ravenol
Welsh drivers' points table and extend his lead in class W13, while Sankey secures
the class co-driver's title.
Bob Morgan's excellent season continued with fifth in his Winner Garage Å koda
Fabia R5+. He and co-driver Ade Williams were third at mid-distance, but Morgan
admitted to pushing a bit too hard in the afternoon and he lost time when he got
tangled up at a chicane on SS6. Morgan was eventually denied a podium finish
when a tyre came off the rim on the final stages, although another good result keeps
him second in the overall drivers' standings and he continues to lead the Ravenol
Welsh Challenge - although Caine is now just one point behind.
Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas survived a big overshoot on the opening stage to bring
their Geoff Jones Motorsport-prepared Green Paw Subaru Impreza home an
excellent seventh in the Pirelli Ravenol Welsh standings, finishing 20 seconds ahead
of David Tomlin/Keith Ashley who scored their best result of the season in their Axon
Ford Fiesta R5.
Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe scored a solid top 20 result in their Subaru Impreza N12B -
their vast amount of experience ensuring a clean run through the challenging seven
stage event.
Simon Rogers' 100% finishing record came to an end when the power steering
alternator belt popped off his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6. That was a great shame, as
he and co-driver James How had made a great start and looked on course for a
great result.
Bob Ceen/Shaun Layland retired when they put their Axes Design-backed Ford
Fiesta R5+ off the road on SS2 (on a corner which caught out several others), while
Benj Ceen/Caron Tomlinson were forced out with power steering issues on their
MSL-prepared Ford Fiesta R5 after SS3.
James Giddings/Aled Davies survived the opening loop of three stages, but on their
way to SS4 their Fordpad Mitsubishi Evo 9 lost power and they retired with
suspected turbo failure. Steve Hollis/Tim Currie retired their Volkswagen Golf with oil
pump failure on SS2.
Michael McDaid was the first two-wheel drive finisher, coming home a magnificent
sixth overall in his McDaid Pharmacy Escort RS1800 Mk2. It was the first time that
the County Fermanagh driver had been to the Forest of Dean, but he and co-driver
Declan Casey were on sensational form as they mastered the tricky conditions. The
result also gives them the lead in the hotly contested Historic class W8.
Andrew Stokes/Jonny Tad Evans had a fabulous run to second in class W8 in their
Ford Escort Mk1, Charles Hopkinson/Alan Jones also had their best result of the
season with third in class in their Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 and Ron Morgan/Marc
Clatworthy came home fourth in their Wales Motorsport-built Restruct Escort Mk2.
Not so lucky was Jonathan Brace, whose unblemished finishing record came to an
end after he buzzed the engine of his Brace's Bakery Escort Mk1 RS1600 coming
into a 90 right on SS5. He continued, only for the car to drop a valve on the next
stage, right in front of where co-driver Paul Spooner's family were watching!
Ben Smith won the Historic class W7 for the third time this year in his Amigos Ford
Escort RS2000 Mk1. Co-driven by his father Steven, the Isle of Man youngster made
a brilliant Forest of Dean debut and never put a foot wrong.
Neal James/Kevin Jones continue to lead the class W7 standings after finishing
second in their Cwm Engineering Ford Escort Mk2. Wrong tyres for the conditions
and a lack of grip were a major hindrance and they were just pleased to reach the
finish unscathed. David Lloyd Roberts/Gerallt Wyn Davies came home third in class,
just four seconds behind, in their Ford Escort Mk2 and still have a chance of winning
the class title.
Those who finish in the top three of each Historic class (W6, W7 and W8) 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.
Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees have become Pirelli Ravenol Welsh 2WD champions
after another great performance in their Flying Kiwi Ford Escort Mk2. It wasn't easy
for them, as Kershaw broke a finger on the gearstick, just as he had done on the
Plains Rally. After a magnificent season-long performance which has seen them win
the class four times, their 2WD title is richly deserved.
Tim Jones/Liam Andrew Whiteley finished a season best second in class in their
Escort Mk2, while Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins came home third in their Hartpury
Farms Ford Escort Mk2, despite admitting to being too ragged at times, especially on
the Speech House stage.
Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee Fox secured the class W12 title after another fine drive in
their Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325. David Jones/Glyn Price finished second in
class in their BMW E30, while Michael Sawyer/Gareth Price retired their 2350cc
Datsun 1600.
Liam Griffiths still leads the Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Junior category, although he could
only manage third in class this time (behind Robert Wilson and Ben Smith) after he
and co-driver Daniel James put their Discover Parks Ford Fiesta ST off the road on
SS2, losing over a minute.
His brother Callum Griffiths (co-driven by William Lewis) retired in first service with
clutch failed in his Presteigne Tyre Services Ford Fiesta ST.
Brynli Thomas is the Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Road Rally class champion after scoring
his fourth maximum points score in his Peugeot 306 Rallye. Co-driven by Sion
Rowlands, it was the perfect present for Thomas, who had celebrated his 50th
birthday the day before!
Rival Graham Thatcher needed to win to maintain his title challenge but retired his
newly painted yellow Pembridge Vehicle Management Peugeot 206 GTi on the
opening loop when a gearbox mount broke. His navigator Tim Samuel has, however,
clinched the co-drivers' class title.
Adrian and Matthew Walk continue to lead class W3 but had to settle for second this
time after hitting a pile of logs on SS6 and damaging their PartBOX Ford Ka. Stuart
Spyer/Peter Williams won the class in their SG Motorsport Opel Corsa.
Having already secured the class W10 title, Martin Walters/Marie Fletcher won for
the fourth time in their Honda Civic, beating Alan Desbois/Peter Littlefield (Peugeot
306 RWD) and Michael Jenkins/Scott Dance, who finished second and third
respectively.
The Wyedean was live-streamed and all the action footage remains online and can
be viewed at: facebook.com/WELSHRALLYCHAMPIONSHIP.
The seventh and final round of the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally
Championship is the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally on Saturday 29 October.
Further details on the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk
Pictures by Jon Price and Russ Otway.
Wyedean Stages Rally - top 10 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally
Championship finishers
1. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Ford Fiesta R5+).......42mins 04secs
2. Robert Wilson/Martin Haggett (Mitsubishi Evo 7).......42mins 57secs
3. Nik Elsmore/Rob Fagg (Mitsubishi Evo 9).......44mins 03secs
4. John Caine/Andrew Sankey (Subaru Impreza).......44mins 11secs
5. Bob Morgan/Ade Williams (Å koda Fabia R5+).......44mins 57secs
6. Michael McDaid/Declan Casey (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2).......46mins 39secs
7. Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas (Subaru Impreza).......47mins 33secs
8. David Tomlin/Keith Ashley (Ford Fiesta R5).......47mins 53secs
9. Ben Smith/Steven Smith (Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1).......48mins 14secs
10. Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees (Ford Escort Mk2).......48mins 43secs
2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
Overall drivers' points after Round 6
1. Matthew Hirst.......150pts
2. Bob Morgan.......112pts
3. John Caine.......107pts
4. Bob Ceen.......98pts
5. Robert Wilson.......95pts
6. Dylan Davies.......86pts
Matthew Hirst has another chance to clinch the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship title on the Wyedean Stages Rally (Saturday 15 October), as the series leader aims to return to his winning ways following a rare setback last time out.
Co-driven by Declan Dear, Hirst had recorded four straight wins and needed one more good score to be crowned the 2022 Welsh champion, but the title race was kept alive when a rear track control arm on his Pirelli-shod Delta Salvage Ford Fiesta R5+ broke on the Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker Stages.
That's allowed his rivals to close the gap, so there is a bit more pressure on the Doncaster driver as he heads to the penultimate round in the Forest of Dean - where he'll start as car number one and with a clear road ahead of him.
Bob Morgan's super consistent season continued on the Woodpecker and he remains Hirst's nearest challenger after five high points-scoring finishes in his Winner Garage Å koda Fabia R5+. The Wyedean is Morgan's local event, so he'll be hoping to use his home advantage to maintain his challenge for the overall title, as well as extending his lead in the highly competitive Ravenol Welsh Challenge. Ade Williams returns, as his challenge for the co-driver's title continues.
Nik Elsmore knows the forests well, and as a past Wyedean Rally winner will be aiming for a top result. He doesn't compete much these days, but he and co-driver Rob Fagg have been seeded at number three in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9.
Bob Ceen,pictured, arrives at the Wyedean third in the overall drivers' standings and is enjoying a great season in his flying Axes Design-backed Ford Fiesta R5+. Co-driven by Shaun Layland, the 2001 Welsh champion will be aiming for his first Welsh podium finish of the season, having come very close four times already.
James Giddings, pictured, is seeded at number two, reflecting what a great season the Carmarthen driver is having. Co-driven by Aled Davies, the former Fiesta ST Trophy and Citroën C2 Challenge champion finished a season-best second on the Plains Rally and will be aiming to go one better this time out in his Fordpad Mitsubishi Evo 9.
The list of potential winners is long and includes John Caine/Andrew Sankey (Phil Price Rally School Subaru Impreza), Benj Ceen/Caron Tomlinson (MSL-prepared Ford Fiesta R5), Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas (Green Paw Subaru Impreza), pictured, and Simon Rogers/James How (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6)pictured below, - all of whom are enjoying a good season.
A Welsh Junior driver could take victory, for Robert Wilson, pictured, arrives on sensational form - having finished fourth on the Nicky Grist Stages and third on the Woodpecker. Co-driven this time by Martin Haggett, the youngster will also be aiming for his fourth OnThePaceNote.co.uk
The Welsh Junior section is still being led by Liam Griffiths, who arrives with a 42-point lead after a magnificently consistent season in his Discover Parks Ford Fiesta ST - while his brother Callum Griffiths is third in his Presteigne Tyre Services Ford Fiesta ST and Ben Smith fourth in his Amigos Ford Escort RS2000 Mk1.
With a maximum of 90 cars allowed to run, a few of the Welsh 2WD category crews have selected to miss the Wyedean - however, there will still be a huge battle as top points are waiting in the wings.
Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees will be eyeing a fourth 2WD class victory of the year in their Flying Kiwi Escort Mk2, while Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee Fox, pictured, (who also lead class W12) will be out for a good result in their Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325 - as will Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins in their smart Hartpury Farms Ford Escort Mk2.
Brynli Thomas/Sion Rowlands (Peugeot 306 Rallye), pictured, and Graham Thatcher/Tim Samuel (Pembridge Vehicle Management Peugeot 206 GTi) resume their close battle for the Road Rally class title. Adrian and Matthew Walk will be hoping to stamp their authority on the class W3 category in their PartBOX Ford Ka, while Martin Walters/Marie Fletcher will be on a victory parade lap in their Honda Civic having already clinched the class W10 title.
The battle for the Historic class W8 title is wide open, and top-seeded Michael McDaid, pictured, has a great chance to move from third and into the lead if he has a good run in his McDaid Pharmacy Escort RS1800 Mk2. His navigator Declan Casey arrives leading the co-drivers' section.
Jonathan Brace is an impressive fourth in the driver's standings in his less powerful Brace's Bakery Escort Mk1 RS1600, as he and co-driver Paul Spooner aim for their sixth strong finish on the bounce. Andrew Stokes/Jonny Tad Evans have also been on great form this year and have a high scoring 100% finishing record in their Escort Mk1.
Also looking for a good class run are Ron Morgan/Marc Clatworthy in their stunning Wales Motorsport-built Restruct Escort Mk2, Charles Hopkinson/Alan Jones in their Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2 and Michael Sawyer/Gareth Price in their 2350cc Datsun 1600, pictured below.
Five successive second-place points finishes have given Neal James/Kevin Jones the class W7 lead in their Escort Mk2. Being fast and consistent is a tried and tested way to win championships, and they arrive at the Wyedean 35-points ahead of David Lloyd Roberts/Gerallt Wyn Davies (Escort Mk2) who have won three times but retired twice.
An additional incentive is that those who finish in the top three of each Historic class (W6, W7 and W8) 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.
Action from the Wyedean Stages Rally will be live streamed on: facebook.com/
The 40-stage mile event is organised by the Forest of Dean Motor Club and spectator information is available at: wyedeanstages.co.uk.
Further details on the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship, together with registration information, can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
Wyedean Stages Rally - top 10 seeded entry
1. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear.......Ford Fiesta R5+
2. James Giddings/Aled Davies.......Mitsubishi Evo 9
3. Nik Elsmore/Rob Fagg.......Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9
4. Bob Morgan/Ade Williams.......Å koda Fabia R5+
5. Robert Wilson/Martin Haggett.......Mitsubishi Evo 7
6. John Caine/Andrew Sankey.......Subaru Impreza
7. Bob Ceen/Shaun Layland.......Ford Fiesta R5
8. Michael McDaid/Declan Casey.......Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2
9. Seb Perez/Gary McElhinney.......Porsche 911 Carrera RS
10. Simon Rogers/James How.......Mitsubishi Evo 6
For more information please contact:
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Images Paul Mitchell.
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