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Championship Points Table updated.

The championship points tables have been updated,see  POINTS TABLE

Hirst Hunts for the third Championship Title on the Woodpecker Stages

Press release: 4 September 2023

 

 

 
Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear could win their third Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship title, and their second in a row, on the Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker Stages (Saturday 9 September).
 
The Delta Salvage/Witham Group Ford Fiesta R5 crew have scored maximum points on the first four rounds, and another win would secure them the title.
 
However, the Ludlow-based rally is something of a bogey event for Hirst, who has retired on his last three Woodpecker appearances - with a broken rear track control arm forcing him out twelve months ago.

 

 

 
The Doncaster driver will certainly have a lot of competition, not least from local driver Perry Gardener. Having won the Woodpecker in 2021, he and co-driver Jack Bowen scored maximum Pirelli Welsh Championship points last year and will be out to repeat that success in their Davanti Tyres-backed Ford Fiesta R5.
 

 

 

Bob Morgan's 2023 season may have started late, but he and co-driver Ade Williams have been on great form this year in their Winner Garage Å koda Fabia R5. Having taken home fourth placed points last time out of the Nicky Grist Stages, they'll be looking for a Pirelli Welsh podium finish this time.
 

 

 

Russ Thompson/Stephen Link have collected second place points on both Pirelli Welsh rounds that they've contested this year, the Rallynuts and the Nicky Grist Stages, and will be challenging for a hat-trick of podiums in their rapid Dunnow Plant Mitsubishi Evo 9.
 
Rob Wilson scored his first overall Pirelli Welsh podium finish on last year's Woodpecker and has already done that twice this year. Co-driven by Richard Crozier, the reigning Welsh Junior and Challenge champion will be aiming for another top result this time in his Ravenol Mitsubishi Evo 7.
 

 

 

Martyn Andrews arrives at Round 5 of the Pirelli Welsh Championship second in the overall points standings and leading the Welsh Challenge. Co-driven by Steve Greenhill, he'll be aiming to maintain those positions in his Opie Oils Subaru Impreza STi N12.
 
A handful of seconds have separated Andrews from Simon Rogers this year, although the latter blotted his 100% finishing record when a propshaft failed on his MacWhirter Motorsport-prepared Mitsubishi last time out. Expect the battle to resume, as he and co-driver James How wheel out their rapid yellow Evo 6.
 
Wug Utting has been on impressive form this year, with hitting a rock and bending the steering on the Plains the only glitch in an otherwise fast and consistent season. The Gatwick driver is back with regular co-driver Bob Stokoe this time and will be aiming for another strong performance in their Subaru Impreza N12b.

 

 

 

 
Daniel Moss/Samuel Davies, who have scored well on the three rallies that they have contested this year, will be targeting another good result in their pink Hurst Haylage Mitsubishi Evo 10. Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas scored their first Pirelli Welsh top 10 finish of the season last time out on the Nicky Grist Stages and will be aiming to continue that form on the Woodpecker in their Green Paw Subaru Impreza STi N11.
 

 

Others aiming for a top overall result in four-wheel drive machinery include Colin Minton/Bonnie Papper (Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5), Nik Elsmore/Rob Fagg (CDS Taxis & Private Hire Mitsubishi Evo 9), David Tomlin/Keith Ashley (Axon Ford Fiesta R5), Rob and Ashley Aslett (Rigfone Electric Contractors Subaru Impreza), Colin Griffiths/Sion Rowlands (Subaru Impreza STi), Steve Hollis/Tim Currie (Volkswagen Golf V R32), Eddie Lewis/Sion Cunniff (Mechanical Solutions Ford Fiesta R5), Charlie Campbell/Jon Hawkins (Subaru Impreza) and Geoff Cottrill/Nathan Crewe (Mitsubishi Evo 9).

 
Lyn Davies/Aled Richards arrive leading the Restruct Welsh Historic class W9 after four very strong results in their Wales Motorsport-prepared Escort Mk2.
 
Robert Gough (co-driven by Paul Morris) is only five points behind, having won the class on all three of his starts in his Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2, which include some impressive overall results as well.
 
Peter Jones/Gareth Davies scored their first podium finish of the season last time out in their Escort to move up to third in class W9 and will have their sights set on closing in on the top two.
 

Ron Morgan (co-driven by Sion Jones) enjoyed a great run to second in class on the Nicky Grist and will be aiming for a similar result in his Restruct Ford Escort Mk2. Meanwhile Henri Grehan (co-driven by Emma Clarke) and Charles Hopkinson (co-driven by Alan Jones) will be aiming to score their first Pirelli Welsh points of the season in a pair of RS1800s.

 
Andrew Stokes/Jonny Tad Evans are enjoying a great season in their Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1 and take a 16 point Historic class W8 lead into the Woodpecker. They'll be pushed hard by Jonathan Brace/Paul Spooner, who won the class last time out in their Brace's Bakery Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1, and Jeremy Wells (co-driven this time by Martin Saunders) in his Wells Masonry Solutions Escort Mk1. Gary Smith (co-driven by Clive Jones) will be aiming to bounce back after crashing his Escort Mk1 out of the Nicky Grist Stages.
 
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. 
 

 

 

Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees will be aiming for their fourth 2WD win out of five as they attempt to extend their lead in the ultra-competitive Hockly Motorsport-supported category in their Flying Kiwi Ford Escort Mk2. 
 
A broken propshaft on the Plains means that they are only eight points ahead of Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins, who will continue to chase hard in their Hartpury Farms Escort Mk2.
 
You can't fault Iwan Roberts Jnr's commitment after a fast and furious opening four rounds in his Roberts of Ffestiniog Ford Escort G3, which has brought him 2WD victory on the Plains. A heavy landing may have caused a DNF on the Nicky Grist Stages, but he'll put that down as one of his two compulsory dropped scores as he and co-driver Daniel Jones continue to pose a very serious title challenge. 

 

 
Other top 2WD crews to keep an eye on include class W12 leaders Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel (Britpart Escort Mk2), Dan Chester/Paul Barbet (BMW E30), Kevin Metcalfe/Lucie Gutteridge (BMW E30), Mike Brown/Aled Davies (BMW Compact M3), Ricky Crone/Ifan Devine (MS Textiles Ford Escort Mk2), David Jones/Glyn Price (BMW E30) and defending class W12 champions Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee Fox (Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325).

 

 
Defending class champions Martin Walters/Marie Fletcher will be aiming to hold on to their W10 lead in their Digger Parts Direct Honda Civic - the pair having finished second on all four rounds so far this year. Alan Desbois/Peter Littlefield will also be aiming for their first win of the season to help them close the gap in their Peugeot 306 RWD.
 
There is a tremendous battle raging for the OnThePaceNote-supported Welsh Junior Championship title. Local driver Callum Griffiths (co-driven by William Lewis) arrives with a four point lead, having taken his first Junior victory of the year last time out on the Nicky Grist Stages in his Presteigne Tyre Services-supported Fiesta ST.

 
Machynlleth's Gethin Price (co-driven by Brynmor Pierce) is second in the Juniors in his RKP Haulage Nissan Micra - while Callum's brother Liam Griffiths is third, just one point behind and (co-driven by Daniel James) could snatched the lead in his Fiesta ST. Dylan Fowler Bishop/Dan Evans will also be on the hunt for Junior points in their Restruct Nissan Micra.

 
Price also leads the Hockly Motorsport-supported class W2 and will have stiff opposition from the likes of defending champions Adrian and Matthew Walk (PartBOX Ford Ka), on form Nigel and Kaz Jenkins (NJ Auto Repairs Vauxhall Nova), Kelvin Evans/Lucy Wilding (CWL Hire Nissan Mirca) and Luke Watts/Matt Rogers, (NJ Auto Repairs MG ZR). Pictured below, Chris Bush (co-driven by Robert Bryn 'Chicken' Jones) will be aiming for a better run, after a sticking throttle caused him problems last time out in his Bushtec Recycling Opel Corsa

 

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The battle for the class W4 title is very much on. Tony Simpson (Seacon UK Ford Fiesta) leads the drivers' section (and returns with navigator Stefan Arndt), while Alex Cannon (Rallyworld Ford Fiesta R2) pictured, will be aiming to close the gap with his first class win of the season. As Simpson has been partnered by more than one co-driver, Cannon's navigator Alan Carfree leads that section. Sam Mason/James Seymour won class W4 last time out and remain title contenders in their Samuel Mason Rallysport Fiesta R2T.
 
The Woodpecker 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.
 
The Sixty and Worcestershire Motor Club organised event will have a new look this year, with stages in Cwmysgawen (located just west of Knighton) and Ceri (situated just outside of Newtown) forests. The rally will also retain its popular double run through Haye Park, just outside of Ludlow. The event will be based at Ludlow Racecourse, with the first car starting at 07:30 and finishing at 17:30.
 
Spectator information is available at: woodpecker-rally.co.uk/spectators

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

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


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.

 

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Hirst on Track to Retain Championship Title

Press release: 9 July 2023

Matthew Hirst has moved one step closer to retaining his Motorsport UK Pirelli
Welsh Rally Championship title after scoring maximum points for the fourth time in
four rounds on the Nicky Grist Stages (Saturday 8 July).

Co-driven by Declan Dear, the Doncaster driver was the class of the Welsh field -
finishing over a minute and a half ahead of his nearest championship rival in his
Pirelli-shod Delta Salvage/Witham Group Ford Fiesta R5.

Hirst's lead at the top of the drivers' standings has increased to 36 points.
"I'm thrilled to keep my run of Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship maximum scores
going on what is one of the most enjoyable events of the season," said Hirst.
"Even though it's enjoyable, the Nicky Grist Stages is one of those events where you
have to take risks if you want to be at the front. It rewards commitment, but the
consequences if it goes wrong are huge.
"We've scored four wins out of four, but we'll just keep going as we are and try not to
think about the championship too much and just focus on the next event."

Russ Thompson/Stephen Link took home second placed points in their Dunnow
Plant Mitsubishi Evo 9, using the top-end speed to their advantage in a fast and
controlled drive/Rob Wilson lost a considerable amount of time during the day, including a spin and
stall on SS4 and then his Ravenol Mitsubishi Evo 7's engine intermittently cuttin out
in the afternoon. Despite this, he and co-driver Richard Crozier completed the Pirelli
Welsh podium.

Bob Morgan/Ade Williams enjoyed a great run in their Winner Garage Å koda Fabia
R5. A fast and trouble-free performance saw them take home fourth placed Pirelli
Welsh points, ahead of Gavin Edwards/Caron Tomlinson - who achieved their aim of
getting to the finish in their Vaynol Heating Ford Fiesta R5.

Wug Utting, co-driven by his son Max, came home a trouble-free sixth in their Subaru Impreza N12b,
while Martyn Andrews/Steve Greenhill (pictured below) almost put their Opie
Oils Subaru Impreza STi N12 off the road several times in the morning, getting away
with it 'by the skin of their teeth' to finish an impressive seventh. The result moves
the Welwyn Garden City driver up to second in the overall points standings and
extends his lead in the Welsh Challenge.

David Tomlin/Keith Ashley survived a couple of lock ups and stalls in the morning
and had to reverse out of a hedge at one point, but survived to finish a season best
Pirelli Welsh ninth in their Axon Ford Fiesta R5.

Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas flew the flag for the event organisers and were the top
Quinton Motor Club crew home, completing the Pirelli Welsh top 10 in their Green
Paw Subaru Impreza STI N11.

Nik Elsmore/Rob Fagg were slowed on the morning loop with a throttle sensor
problem with their CDS Taxis & Private Hire Mitsubishi Evo 9, and after losing so
much time the afternoon loop turned into a test session. They nevertheless still
finished just outside the Pirelli Welsh top 10, suggesting they'd have battled for a
place on the podium without their issues.

Richard Ceen/Dylan Thomas profited from some pre-event testing and a change of
driving style to pick up 13th place Pirelli Welsh points in their MSL Motorsport-
prepared Ford Fiesta R5.

Peter Baylis had a new radiator installed in his Artificial Lawn Company Mitsubishi
Evo 9 but nonetheless had overheating issues on the morning loop. Co-driven by
Paul Godden, the Gravesend driver survived to take 14th, just 10.6 seconds ahead
of Colin Minton/Bonnie Papper in their Ignition Motorsport Ford Fiesta R5.

Simon Rogers arrived at the Nicky Grist Stages lying second in the overall drivers'
standings after three excellent results. Unfortunately, his 100% finishing record came
to an end when the prop shaft failed on his MacWhirter Motorsport-prepared
Mitsubishi Evo 6, putting him and co-driver James How out and dropping Rogers to
fourth in the overall drivers' points and third (behind Andrews and Baylis) in the close
battle for the class W13 title.
Rob and Ashley Aslett retired in the afternoon loop of stages when their Rigfone
Electric Contractors Subaru Impreza's turbo blew, while Colin Griffiths/Sion
Rowlands were having a good run before their Subaru Impreza STI's gearbox failed
on the eighth and final stage.

Robert Gough has moved to within five points of the Restruct Welsh Historic class
W9 lead after winning the category in his Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2. Co-driven by
Paul Morris, he took home eighth place points to move up to third in the overall
drivers' standings
Upon his return to the series, Ron Morgan (co-driven by Sion Jones) finished a
magnificent second in class W9 in his Restruct Escort Mk2, with Peter Jones/Gareth
Davies third in another Escort. Lyn Davies/Aled Richards still lead the class, having
finished fourth in their Wales Motorsport-prepared Escort Mk2.

Jonathan Brace/Paul Spooner won a very close Historic class W8 battle, despite
having no working windscreen wipers in the rain and a day-long engine misfire in
their Brace's Bakery Ford Escort RS1600 Mk1.
Andrew Stokes/Jonny Tad Evans still lead the Historic class W8 after a good run in
their similar RS1600 Mk1, despite a few moments along the way - including an off
into a ditch on the final stage, which Stokes said he'd "got away lightly" with.

Jeremy Wells (co-driven this time by Steve Suckling) had a good run to third in class
in his Wells Masonary Solutions Escort Mk1. Gary Smith/Emma Clarke crashed their
Escort Mk1 out of the event on SS3.

Julian Birley/Emyr Hall have extended their Historic class W5 lead by scoring their
first win of the season in their Talbot Sunbeam.

Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees have retaken the lead in the ultra-competitive Hockly
Motorsport-supported Welsh 2WD class after a magnificent win in their Flying Kiwi
Ford Escort Mk2. They lost time in the morning with visibility issues and then they
overshot a junction after taking a jump flat-out, but a great afternoon saw them score
a well-deserved 2WD class victory - with Kershaw moving up to seventh in the
overall drivers' standings.
David and Douglas Young followed up their second place 2WD finish on the Plains
Rally with second again in their Escort Mk2, finishing one place ahead of Ricky
Crone/Ifan Devine, who regretting not replacing their rear tyres for SS3 as they
struggled for grip through Halfway in their MS Textiles Ford Escort Mk2.

Geoff Phelps/Colin Jenkins (Hartpury Farms Escort Mk2), Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel
(Britpart Escort Mk2) and defending class W12 champions Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee
Fox (Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325) all enjoyed good runs - although that
wasn't the case for every 2WD contender.

Iwan Roberts Jnr/Daniel Jones have dropped to third in class after breaking the
steering on SS6 - quite possibly a consequence of landing their Roberts of
Ffestiniog Ford Escort G3 hard on its nose after a big flat out jump on SS4.
Damage after big landings on the same stage also saw Dan Chester/Paul Barbet
retire their BMW E30, Kevin Metcalfe/Ian Jones damage the rear suspension on their
BMW E30 and retire in midday service and Mike Brown/Aled Davies who broke a
wishbone on their BMW Compact M3.

Sam Mason/James Seymour won class W4 for the first time this season in their
Samuel Mason Rallysport Fiesta R2T and have jumped up to third in the standings.
Tony Simpson still leads the class, although he and co-driver Stefan Arndt retired
their Seacon UK Ford Fiesta Rally4 after turbo failure. Alex Cannon is still second in
class (and his co-driver Alan Carfree still leads the navigators' section) despite
retiring his Rallyworld Ford Fiesta R2 with a broken driveshaft on SS1.

Machynlleth's Gethin Price (co-driven this time by Brynmore Price) continues to lead
the Hockly Motorsport-supported class W2 after prioritising a finish in his RKP
Haulage Nissan Micra.
Nigel and Kaz Jenkins won the 1400cc class in their NJ Auto Repairs Vauxhall Nova,
which sees them second and first in the drivers' and co-drivers' sections
respectively.

Dylan Fowler Bishop (co-driven by Dan Evans) had a big push in the afternoon to
finish second in class W2 in his Restruct-backed Nissan Micra, while Ashley Francis-Adams/Lucy Wilding
were third in their T2 Fabrication-backed Nissan Micra, despite
losing time in the morning when a stage was red flagged.

Edward James/Charlie Mason hadn't rallied since April, and they were initially
delayed by intercom problems and their Nissan Micra's windscreen misting up but
came home fourth in class, one place ahead of Price.

Kelvin Evans was partnered by Lucie Gutteridge, who was contesting her first gravel
rally. They did exceptionally well, finishing fifth in their CWL Hire Nissan Micra - one
place ahead of Luke Watts/Matt Rogers, who survived the windscreen misting up on
SS1 in their NJ Auto Repairs MG ZR.

Chris Bush (co-driven for the first time by Robert Bryn 'Chicken' Jones) had a new
gearbox in his Bushtec Recycling Opel Corsa, although it was a sticking throttle that
caused him problems earlier in the event and saw him finish down the order.
Defending class champions Adrian and Matthew Walk retired on SS1 with engine
problems in their PartBOX Ford Ka, while last year's Nicky Grist Stages class winner
James Dunkley (co-driven by Jack Morris) retired his Vauxhall Corsa on SS4.

Will Banks/Matthew Baddeley had a new engine in their BTS Motorsport/Lorry-
Insurance Vauxhall Nova, which successfully powered them to class W1 victory.

Lucy Wigley/Emma Cooper won class W10 in their Redware Citroën C2 R2 Max,
although defending champions Martin Walters/Marie Fletcher hang on to the class
lead after finishing second in their Digger Parts Direct Honda Civic. Alan
Desbois/Peter Littlefield were third in their Peugeot 306 RWD, with Damian
Thomas/Gavin Haycock fourth in their Peugeot 206 S1600.
Dan and Cyril Jones had a nightmare of an event in their Howard Price
Rallying/North Wales Joinery Vauxhall Nova. A coil wire broke on SS1 and having
fixed that, they landed the car on its nose after a jump on SS4, finishing the morning
leg with gear selection problems. Things didn't improve in the afternoon, as engine
problems put the son and father duo out on SS7. Michael Jenkins/Jordan Joines also
failed to finish in their Ford Fiesta.

Callum Griffiths has taken the lead in the OnThePaceNote-supported Welsh Junior
Championship after scoring his first victory of the year on the Nicky Grist Stages. Co-
driven by William Lewis, the Presteigne Tyre Services-supported Fiesta ST driver
started at a blistering pace before a heavy landing on SS4 damaged the car's
radiator. Luckily midday service followed, and they were able to continue unabated
to score a fine Junior win.
His brother Liam finished second in a similar Ford. He and co-driver Daniel James
put new tyres on for a big push in the afternoon and scored a great result despite a
rear brake pipe coming off three miles from the end of the last stage.
Sam Mason added third Junior to his class W4 win, while Dylan Fowler Bishop was
fourth, Gethin Price fifth, Luke Watts sixth and Will Banks seventh.

Ben Smith had led the Welsh Junior coming into the Nicky Grist Stages. Partnered
by his father Steven, he retired on the opening stage after damaging the steering on
his Amigos Escort RS2000 Mk1.
Eddie Lewis (co-driven by Sion Cunniff) retired his Mechanical Solutions Ford Fiesta
R5 on SS4 with suspension damage.
Bonnie Papper leads the Welsh Junior co-drivers' section, ahead of Ifan Devine,
Jack Morris, Jack Bowen, Sam Weller and James Seymour.

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

Round 5 of the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship is the Phil Price Memorial
Woodpecker Stages on Saturday 9 September.

Further details on the Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at:
wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
2023 Nicky Grist Stages - top 10 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally
Championship finishers:
1. Matthew Hirst/Declan Dear (Ford Fiesta R5).......43mins 12.3secs
2. Russ Thompson/Stephen Link (Mitsubishi Evo 9).......44mins 46.1secs
3. Rob Wilson/Richard Crozier (Mitsubishi Evo 7).......45mins 18.3secs
4. Bob Morgan/Ade Williams (Å koda Fabia R5).......45mins 59.6secs
5. Gavin Edwards/Caron Tomlinson (Ford Fiesta R5).......46mins 19.7secs
6. Wug Utting/Max Utting (Subaru Impreza).......48mins 05.4secs
7. Martyn Andrews/Steve Greenhill (Subaru Impreza).......48mins 14.2secs
8. Robert Gough/Paul Morris (Ford Escort RS1800 Mk2).......48mins 14.6secs
9. David Tomlin/Keith Ashley (Ford Fiesta R5).......48mins 15.4secs
10. Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas (Subaru Impreza).......48mins 16.8secs

2023 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship
Overall drivers' points after Round 4:
1. Matthew Hirst.......120pts
2. Martyn Andrews.......84pts
3. Robert Gough.......75pts
4. Simon Rogers.......73pts
5. Peter Baylis.......69pts
6. Wug Utting.......65pts

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.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.