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Nicky Grist Stages the Subject of Ongoing Economic Benefits Survey
The Builth Wells based event used to gather evidence of financial benefits rallying brings to local communities.
This year’s Nicky Grist Stages, a round of several major championships will be used to gather information from event officials, spectators, marshals, competitors and their support teams to help establish their direct financial input into the local Mid Wales economy.
The Quinton Motor Club organised event takes place in and around the area of Builth Wells over the weekend of 8th 9th July and will see 130 crews from around the United Kingdom and beyond contest the event in the world renowned forest stages near the town.
Conducted by The Welsh Association of Motor Clubs, the study will be used to gain a valuable insight into the economic value a motor rally brings to the area during an event. Thankfully many villages, towns and cities recognise the many economic opportunities this brings as they welcome motorsport into their villages halls, hotels and businesses.
The importance of the ‘value’ of the motorsport ‘pound’ spent locally during events was brought to the attention of many following the successful Rally4Wales campaign in 2016.
Managing Director of Rally4Wales Contracts, Jamie Edwards is well aware of the benefit rallying brings to local communities in Wales. “Every penny makes a difference to the rural Welsh economy. It's no secret that the sport brings tourism revenue of around £15 Million per annum into Wales - but I urge everyone to play their part in helping further showcase the financial and economic benefits that rallying brings to Wales. Whilst we cannot imagine a Wales without rallying, there are many businesses in Wales who would struggle without the added financial benefits a rally brings to their town. We all need to play our part in supporting the local businesses and local economy in Wales by giving a clear insight as to the true value of motorsport in Wales.”
We would like to thank the Nicky Grist organisers for helping us promote the questionnaire. The event is one of the several chosen during the year to gather the information that is so important when it comes to selling our sport to the wider community.
The survey can be completed online and is available for completion on any device. Note it can be started and finished later if not all the information is to hand. Don't worry if you don't have time in the build up to the event although the survey is live now it will remain live for a minimum of two weeks post event. If you are asked to participate again, please do so as it helps us build a bigger picture locally and nationally.
To participate simply use the QR code below or visit: http://rallydata.co.uk/484245
HALF TIME AND STILL ALL TO PLAY FOR
This weekend (8th July) sees competitors in the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship return to Builth Wells for their fourth point scoring round. With the opening three rounds having produced three different maximum points scorers there is still plenty to play for as the series reaches its mid-way point.
Rally North Wales saw Osian Pryce head the field home, the 2016 BRC runner up and co-driver Dale Furniss in their R5 Ford Fiesta. It was the similar car of Brackley driver Callum Black and co-driver Elliott Edmondson that took top honours on the Plains Rally. The Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages produced a maximum points score for the Fiesta World Rally Car of former Pirelli Champion Connor McCloskey and John Rowan.
However, it is Andy Davies and reigning junior co-driving champion Max Freeman who lead the championship by virtue of a string of consistent performances in their Subaru Impreza. They hold a nine point advantage over fellow Impreza driver Wug Utting. The Surrey driver, and co-driver Bob Stokoe, are also Davies and Freeman’s closest rivals in the battle for Group N honours.
In joint third place are Dylan Davies and Llion Williams who came back from a non-finish on the Plains to take third place on the Severn Valley Stages. They are tied on points with McCloskey and Rowan.
In fifth place are David and James Young. The Norfolk based Ford Escort crew also head the two wheel drive standings but BMW driver Colin Griffiths will be looking to narrow their advantage in that category this weekend.
Others looking for outright honours will include Martyn and Dawn England. The Somerset couple claimed a hard fought second place in their R5+ Fiesta on the last round, claiming fastest time on the final stage of the event to edge out Dylan Davies and Llion Williams.
Championship stalwarts Geoff Cottrill and Nathan Crewe will be in action in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 while Alun Roberts makes a return to the series in his distinctive Ford Ka. Meanwhile, Hereford’s Chris Powell should be among the front runners in the 1400cc class in his Talbot Sunbeam.
Drivers will also be contesting the RAVENOL Welsh Challenge, where points are awarded based on their performance within their class. Andy Davies currently tops the standings, ten points ahead of Colin Griffiths and Honda Civic driver Martin Walters. Four points further back, in joint fourth place lie David Young, Dylan Davies and Ford Escort driver Rudi Lancaster.
The event offers competitors a final opportunity to register for the 2017 Championship. Following the classic Mid Wales stages this weekend, a further three challenging events remain in the series giving competitors a taste of some of the finest rally stages available. The Red Dragon on 19th August takes place in the Neath Valley while on 2nd September the Woodpecker Stages takes in the welsh Marches and Radnor forests. Finally, the Wyedean Rally on 11th November features the iconic Forest of Dean stages.
More information is available about this weekend’s event on their web site, www.nickygriststages.co.uk, and about the championship on www.wnrc.wamc.org.uk, the championship Facebook page and on Twitter @WnRC.
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Issued 3rd July 2017
NOTE TO EDITORS: Credit for image should be given to Rallysport Media
Issued by Peter Hughes Media on behalf of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship. For more information contact 07768 095156
Round 5 Severn Valley Stages Special Stage Coverage
IRISH EYES ARE SMILING IN WELSH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
Former Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Champion Connor McCloskey led the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages from start to finish but it’s Andy Davies who heads the 2017 title chase after three points scoring events.
McCloskey and co-driver John Rowan reported a trouble free run through the event’s seven stages in their Ford Fiesta World Rally car and their victory elevates the Irish duo to joint third place in the Championship standings.
A close fought battle for second place was waged between the R5+ specification Ford Fiesta of Martyn and Dawn England and Dylan Davies and Llion Williams in their Subaru Impreza. A spin for the Fiesta on the penultimate stage allowed the Impreza to move ahead but a fastest stage time on the final test snatched the runner up spot back for the West Country couple
While Davies shares third place in the Championship with Connor McCloskey, fourth place on the event was enough to ensure that Andy Davies and co-driver Max Freeman lead the overall championship and the Group N category for less modified cars.Rally
Their closest rivals in both the overall and Group N championship are Surrey driver Wug Utting and co-driver Bob Stokoe who finished the event fifth overall and second in Group N. They trail the series leaders by nine points.
Sixth place for the Ford Escort of David and James Young moves the Norfolk pairing into the lead of the two wheel drive category. There was disappointment for another two wheel crew when the Rudi Lancaster and Guy Weaver slid off the road on loose gravel on the second stage of the event and were forced to retire their Ford Escort.
The Ravenol Welsh Challenge awards drivers points based on their performance within their class and it is Andy Davies who also leads that while second place is shared by BMW driver Colin Griffiths and Martin Walters in his Honda Civic.
Championship contenders will return to Builth Wells for the next round of the Championship, the Nicky Grist Stages on July 8th. You can find out more about that event on their web site, www.nickygriststages.co.uk, and about the championship on www.wnrc.wamc.org.uk, the championship Facebook page and on Twitter @WnRC.
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ISSUED 4TH JUNE 2017
Credit for photograph to Rallysport Media
Issued by Peter Hughes Media on behalf of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship. For more information contact 07768 095156
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