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Star-studded Rally North Wales entry starts the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship in style
Press release: 21 March 2022
The famous rallying forests of Dyfi and Pantperthog will host the opening round of the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship on Saturday 26 March when a star-studded line up of crews battle for victory on the WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales.
The Dolgellau-based event has attracted a fantastic entry featuring former Welsh champions, exciting new driver/car combinations and up and coming young talent aiming for the coveted Welsh Junior title.
One former champion is Matthew Hirst who won Rally North Wales, and the Welsh drivers' title, in 2019. Together with co-driver Declan Dear, Hirst has swapped his Mitsubishi Evo IX for a new Delta Salvage-backed Ford Fiesta R5+. They finished sixth on the recent Malcolm Wilson Rally in Cumbria, so arrive in North Wales match fit and confident.
Dylan Davies also knows how to win Rally North Wales and the Welsh drivers' title too, having done both in 2018. He has since moved from a Subaru Impreza STi N14 to a Å koda Fabia R5+ and together with co-driver Mark Glennerster will be one of the pre-event favourites this time as well.
With the pandemic disrupting two years of his early rally career, Tom Llewellin is aiming to make up for lost time with a big rally campaign on both gravel and asphalt this year. The 2019 Welsh Junior champion is out for overall honours this year and will be partnered by Dale Bowen on Rally North Wales in his Brace's Bakery Mitsubishi Mirage.
Roland Llewellin/Jamie Edwards have swapped their trusty Mitsubishi Evo 10 for a state-of-the-art Hyundai i20 R5 and are set to make their competition debut in the Hyundai Power Products-backed car.
Bob Morgan upgraded to a Å koda Fabia R5+ last year and enjoyed a great maiden outing on the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally. Partnered by Ade Williams, the Winner Garage boss will be aiming for a good start to his 2022 Welsh Championship campaign.
So too will Simon Rogers/James How (Mitsubishi Evo 6), Ben Ceen/Caron Tomlinson (Coedwigaeth Pencelyn Ford Fiesta), Richard Ceen/TBA (Coedwigaeth Pencelyn Ford Focus WRC05) and Bob Ceen/Shaun Layland (Axes Design Ford Fiesta R5+).
It's great to see so many Subaru Imprezas out on Rally North Wales, with the likes of Wug Utting/Bob Stokoe (Geoff Jones Motorsport Subaru Impreza N12b), Paul Walker/Geraint Thomas (Subaru Impreza), Lewers Firth/Shaun Lapper (Firth Construction Subaru Impreza), Paul Davy/Roger Allan (Subaru Impreza N12b), Josh Taylor/Will Atkins (Leaton Consult Subaru Impreza Nr4), Martyn Andrews/Steve Greenhill (Opie Oils Subaru Impreza) and Phil Price Rally School instructor John Caine, pictured who will be co-driven by Andrew Sankey in his hard-charging Subaru Impreza, all aiming for early points.
Brothers Callum and Liam Griffiths go head-to-head in the battle for the OnThePaceNote.co.uk supported Welsh Junior title, each driving a Presteigne Tyre Services backed Ford Fiesta ST. Aiming to follow in their father Nigel's footsteps, Callum will be co-driven by William Lewis, while Liam will be partnered by Motorsport UK elite co-driver Daniel James.
The Junior category is open to any driver and co-driver who hasn't previously won the Junior title and was under 25 years of age on 1 January 2022, regardless of vehicle - which always sees a great variety of cars contesting the class. This year is no exception, with Gethin Price/Matthew Baddeley in their Richard Keith Price Haulage Nissan Micra, Rory McCann, co-driven by his father Paul, coming over from the Isle of Man in their Metalways Hillman Avenger.
The Welsh Historic Cup, supported this year by Restruct, has always been extremely popular and this year the category has attracted one of its biggest ever entries.Julian Birley/Emyr Hall are returning to defend their class W6 (2WD, Historic Cat 1, including up to 1600cc category 2, 3 and 4a, cars) title in their Talbot Sunbeam Ti 1600 and will be up against the likes of Malcolm Bayliss/Siobhan Pugh (16BAO Rally Team Ford Escort Mk1) and Junior driver Rory McCann.
Neal James/Kevin Jones finished runners-up in class W7 (2WD, Historic 1601cc and over 8v single cam cars) last year and are aiming to go one better this season in their Mosely Rolling Road Cwm Engineering Ford Escort. They'll have stiff competition from the likes of David Lloyd Roberts/Gerallt Wyn Davies (Ford Escort Mk2).
Paul Street/Ian Jones are back to defend their class W8 (2WD, Historic 1601cc and over 16v multi valve cars) title in their PJS Marine Escort RS1800 Mk2 and will be pushed hard by the likes of the rapid Michael McDaid/Declan Casey in their McDaid Pharmacy Escort RS1800 Mk2, Roger Chillman/Patrick Walsh in theirSecurcom Escort Mk2 and Ben Friend/Cliff Simmons in the Allglass Anglia Escort Mk2.
Indeed, if you like to see Escort Mk2s driven on the limit this is certainly the place! Pete Littler/Andy Marchbank won the overall Welsh Championship title together in 2000 and team up again in a RED Preparation & Fabrication/Select Security Ford Escort RS1800. Other leading class contenders include Owen McMackin/Dai Robert, Robert Gough/Jack Bowen, Rob Dennis/Andy Boswell, Ron Morgan/Marc Clatworthy, pictured above, in their gorgeous Wales Motorsport-built Restruct Escort and Rudi Lancaster/Guy Weaver in their Woolacombe Holiday Parks Escort RS1800.
Jonathan Brace/Paul Spooner, pictured, have swapped their Mk2 for an immaculate Brace's Bakery Escort Mk1 RS1600 and will make their competition debut in the Dave Jenkins Motorsport built car on Rally North Wales. Also out in Mk1s are Andrew Stokes/Jonny Tad Evans, Gary Smith/Clive Jones and Gareth Lewis/Ryland James.
This will also be the first opportunity for drivers to impress the judges in the David Stokes Historic Challenge and for co-drivers to do likewise in the Guy Weaver Award. These are two new awards for 2022 and open to all Historic class competitors.
Owen McMackin returns to defend his Welsh 2WD drivers' title in his rapid BJT Hire Centre Ford Escort. Some of the many others battling for his hotly contested class award include Philip Jones/Ryan Griffiths (Ford Escort), Colin Griffiths/Tom Bishop (BMW Compact), Alun Horn/Ian Beamond (Ford Escort), Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel (Britpart Ford Escort Mk2), Boyd Kershaw/Keegan Rees (Flying Kiwi Rally Team Ford Escort), Kevin Metcalfe/Ian Jones (BMW E30), Peter Hinton/Lewis Sim (Ford Escort) and Ashley Davies/Sam Fordham (Burton Power /G&B Finch/Deranged Trucks Ford Escort RS).
Graham Thatcher, pictured, has done a lot of development work over the winter months, particularly to the suspension and handling, on his Pembridge Vehicle Management Peugeot 206GTi, as he and co-driver Tim Samuel begin their assault on the Road Rally class title.
Stuart Spyer/Peter Williams (SG Motorsport Vauxhall Corsa), Hefin Lloyd-Davies/Rich Jones (Jones Bros Ruthin-Civil Engineering UK Vauxhall Corsa), Freddy Brick/Toby Brick (TNT Tyres Vauxhall Corsa) and Junior Gethin Price will be the early runners in class W3 (for 2WD, 1001cc to 1400cc 16v naturally aspirated cars), while Tony Simpson/Ian Bevan (Seacon UK/Kielder Tools Ford Fiesta), Jonathan Jones/Jez Rogers (Ingospec Aluminum Ford Fiesta R2) and Matthew Jackson/Sasha Heriot (Ford Fiesta R2T) will be fighting for the advantage in class W4 (2WD, R2 homologated cars / FIA 1000cc turbo and 1600cc cars).
Dan Jones/Cyril Jones are back to defend their class W10 title (2WD, 1401cc to 1600cc naturally aspirated cars) in their rapid Jones Brothers/Bradley Motorsport Vauxhall Nova and will face strong competition from the likes of Martin Walters/Marie Fletcher (Honda Civic).
The Ravenol Welsh Challenge, which recognises the performance of competitors who have yet to finish in the top 10 overall of a Welsh Championship round, continues to be one of the most popular clubman categories in the series and it has once again attracted a fantastic entry. Many of the aforementioned crews are eligible for the award, plus the likes of Matthew Honeyborne/Martin Allwood (Allweld Engineering BMW 328 Coupe), Andrew Fox/Jaime-Lee Fox (Xwatch Safety Solutions BMW 325) and David Jones/Glyn Price (G J Price Transport BMW E30).
Dave Evison, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship Secretary, said: "It is fantastic to see a full entry for this year's opening round of the series, Rally North Wales. It rewards the event's move to Dolgellau, which enables the organisers to run a very compact event including fantastic stages with very little road mileage - a format that has proven to be very popular with competitors. More entries to events equals more contenders to the Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship and with registration numbers increasing daily the Championship is on course to maintain the growth its achieved since 2010. This is great news for competitors, the Championship and its sponsors."
Sideways Media will attend every round of the Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship and livestream all the action from the very best viewing points on the stages and ensure that every registered competitor is featured. With Howard Davies on the microphone, the broadcasts will be streamed live on the Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship's Facebook and YouTube channels, where fans can watch the action live or after the event.
Organised by Wolverhampton & South Staffordshire Car Club, this year's WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales contains two loops of four stages totalling 45 competitive miles through the iconic Dyfi and Pantperthog forest complex stages. The event will start at 08.31 from Gwyndaf Evans Motors in Dolgellau, with the first car reaching the finish at the Dolgellau Farmers Mart (home to the centralised service area) at 15.00.
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
2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship calendar
26 March....... WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales
9 April.......Rallynuts Stages Rally
21 May.......Plains Rally
9 July.......Nicky Grist Stages
3 September....... Eventsigns Woodpecker Stages Rally
15 October....... Winner Garage Å koda Wyedean Rally
29 October.......Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally
For more information please contact:
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
Pictures courtesy of Paul Mitchell. Please credit 'Paul Mitchell Photography' if used.
paulmitchellphotography@gmail.
Entries flood in for the 2022 Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship
Press Release 25th Feb 2022
With over a month to go until the opening round, this year's Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship has already received a bumper number of entries - with over 130 competitors already pledging their commitment to content the seven-round gravel rally series.
Some of the leading driver registrations include the 2019 champion Matthew Hirst, who has swapped his Mitsubishi Evo IX for a new Delta Salvage-backed Ford Fiesta R5+.
The 2018 drivers' champion Dylan Davies has registered in his Å koda Fabia R5+, Roland Llewellin has swapped his Mitsubishi Evo X for a Hyundai i20 R5, while the 2019 Welsh Junior champion Tom Llewellin, pictured, returns in his Brace's Bakery Mitsubishi Mirage.
Perry Gardener made a sensational R5 debut last year when he finished fifth overall on the Eventsigns Woodpecker Rally, and he returns for a crack at the title in his Ford Fiesta R5+.
The 2019 championship runner-up Russ Thompson,pictured, is back in his GPM / PD Extinguishers backed Mitsubishi Evo 9, while Bob Morgan (Å koda Fabia R5+), David Tomlin (Ford Fiesta R5+), Wug Utting (Subaru Impreza STi N12B), Harry Gardner (Norman & Birch Bikes Mitsubishi Evo 9), Paul Walker (Subaru Impreza) and Fraser Martin and Simon Rogers (both Mitsubishi Evo 6) all return too.
There is a very strong entry in all 14 classes - including the Juniors, with the likes of Robert Wilson (Ravenol Mitsubishi Evo 7), Callum Griffiths (Ford Fiesta ST), Rory McCann (Metalways Hilman Avenger), Gethin Price (Keith Price Haulage Nissan Micra), Michael Sawyer (Datsun 1600) and Geoff Phelps (Hartpury Farms Ford Escort) all aiming for the top end of season first prize of a test in a PCRS Rallysport-prepared Hyundai i20 R5, courtesy of OnThePaceNote.
The Ravenol Welsh Challenge, which recognises the performance of competitors who have yet to finish in the top 10 overall of a championship round, remains extremely popular with the likes of Martin Frazer (Mitsubishi Evo 6), Paul Morris and Clive Price (both BMW Compact), Geoff Cottrill (Mitsubishi Evo 9), Kevin Metcalfe and David Jones (both BMW E30), Martin Walters (Honda Civic), Tony Simpson (Seacon UK/Kielder WT Fiesta R2), James Dunkley, Stuart Spyer, Hefin Lloyd-Davies (all Vauxhall Corsa), Alun Horn and Richard Warne (both Escorts), Martyn Andrews (Opie Oils Subaru Impreza) and Alan Desbois (Peugeot 306 RWD) all early registrations.
The Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Historic Cup looks set for another fantastic season, with registrations already in from defending champion Paul Street (PJS Marine Escort RS1800 Mk2), defending Restruct 2WD champion Owen McMackin, pictured, (BJT Hire Centre Escort) and the 2000 overall Welsh champion Pete Littler (RED Preparation & Fabrication Escort Mk2).
Jonathan Brace will appear in a new Brace's Bakery Escort Mk1 RS1600, the rapid Michael McDaid returns in his McDaid Pharmacy Escort RS1800 Mk2, while Rudi Lancaster aims to challenge for the title in his Woolacombe Holiday Parks Escort RS1800 Mk2.
Other Historic-spec Escorts appear in the very capable hands of drivers such as Robert Gough, David Roberts, Philip Clark, Malcolm Bayliss, Chris Squires, Alan Walker, Peter Hilton, David Roberts, Charles Hopkinson, Rob Dennis and Martin Jones. Andrew Stokes is always a great sight in his Escort Mk1 as is Ron Morgan in his gorgeous Wales Motorsport-built Restruct Escort Mk2.
Many of the above will also be battling for the Restruct-backed 2WD title, along with the likes of Ashley Davies (Burton Power G&B Finch Deranged Trucks Escort Mk2) and Tim Phelps (Britpart Escort Mk2).
Elsewhere, Graham Thatcher pictured, will be aiming to build on last year's achievements in the Road Rally class in his Pembridge Vehicle Management Peugeot 206GTi, while Adrian Walk will be aiming to retain his class W2 title in his PartBOX Ford Ka.
There are of course some top-class co-drivers registered, including former champions Declan Dear, Mark Glennerster, Paul Spooner, Andy Marchbank as well as the likes of Jack Bowen, Siobhan Pugh, Bob Stokoe, Declan Casey, Tim Samuel, Jamie Edwards, Ryland James, Elwyn Manuel, Ian Beamond, Jonny TAD Evans, Marc Clatworthy, Caron Tomlinson and Keith Ashley, to name but a few.
Dave Evison, Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship Secretary, said: "It's fantastic to see the level of interest in the Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship this year, proving that the demand for gravel rallying in Wales is as strong as ever.
"There are so many positives, with younger drivers looking to challenge for top honours whilst the more mature drivers will be looking to put them in their place in equally powerful machinery.
"The number of latest specification four-wheel drive cars benefits the sport all around, whilst the Historic category is very well supported adding a strength in depth to the Championship. There is excellent support from the clubmen as well.
"It's looking like the package we have put together in the closed season has been well received and I can't wait for the first round."
The opening round of the 2022 Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship is the Dolgellau-based WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales on Saturday 26 March.
Further details on the 2022 Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship, together with registration information, can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk
2022 Pirelli Ravenol Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship calendar
26 March....... WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales
9 April.......Rallynuts Stages Rally
21 May.......Plains Rally
9 July.......Nicky Grist Stages
3 September....... Eventsigns Woodpecker Stages Rally
15 October....... Winner Garage Å koda Wyedean Rally
29 October.......Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally
For more information please contact:
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
Ravenol UK becomes joint title sponsor of the Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship and increases incentives for clubmen in the Ravenol Welsh Challenge
Ravenol UK will enhance its involvement within Welsh motorsport this year by becoming joint title sponsor of the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship and increasing its support of the popular Ravenol Welsh Challenge.
Ravenol has been a valuable technical and lubricants partner to Wales' premier forestry rally championship since 2015 and its increased support in 2022 will see wide reaching additional benefits to all registered championship contenders.
In what has become an integral part of the Championship, the Ravenol Welsh Challenge is a category which aims to reward those competitors who deserve it the most, namely the clubmen who have not finished in the top 10 of a National B (or equivalent) championship gravel event.
The Ravenol Welsh Challenge crew which improves most on their seeding at each event will receive £200 worth of Ravenol products of their choice, whilst this year there will also be an overall Ravenol Welsh Challenge winner who will receive a trophy and a cheque for £500 at the end of the season.
Ravenol will also fund the live streaming and online highlights package, ensuring that registered competitors in every class receive unrivalled broadcast coverage for themselves and their sponsors at every qualifying event.
Furthermore, all 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship registered competitors will be offered a generous 15% discount when ordering products via www.Ravenol-direct.uk. This special online offer applies to the entire range of high-performance automotive lubricants including road oils (excluding Bargain Bin items) and can be used by both driver and co-driver.
"Heading into our seventh year of supporting Wales' premier forestry rally championship we are delighted to announce that we are increasing our commitment to the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship," said Brian Chase, Managing Director of Ravenol UK.
"We have always supported the clubman in a variety of motorsport disciplines, and we are proud to develop the Ravenol Welsh Challenge even further by offering an event-by-event incentive and a new overall end-of-season cash reward and trophy.
"As for the Ravenol products themselves, our boffins in Germany have developed some of the most technically advanced lubricants available and which provide a strong, stable viscosity even at higher temperatures whilst substantially reducing the risks of fuel dilution. There is a range of grades specifically intended for all forms of motorsport even at the highest international level and what better way to demonstrate their quality than the Welsh forests."
"We are delighted that Ravenol UK is supporting the Welsh Rally Championship for a seventh year and its increased commitment to the series really is fantastic news for all registered championship contenders," added Dave Evison, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship Secretary.
"Given our long-standing partnership with Ravenol UK, which has grown every year since it commenced in 2015, it is entirely appropriate that the partnership is now recognised within the championship title. As a championship we are proud to have such great relationships with partners like Ravenol UK as it highlights our commitment to continually improve the championship year-on-year."
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
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Ravenol Welsh Rally Championship
Championship unveils the David Stokes Historic Challenge award
This year's Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship will include a new end-of-year award for competitors in the Historic classes and honour one of British rallying's most loved and greatly missed drivers, David Stokes.
The recipient of the David Stokes Historic Challenge award will be a driver who has most impressed the judging panel - which will consist of representatives from the championship, a Welsh Association of Motor Clubs committee member and members of the Stokes family - and be based on a number of criteria including (but not limited to) sportsmanship, unflappable determination, performance improvement and the way in which they promote motorsport in a positive and safe manner.
It's some of the many attributes shown by the competitor to whom this special award is named after. The way the late David Stokes always went rallying. With style, good grace and incredible driving talent.
All drivers registered for the Historic classes of the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship (namely classes W6, W7, W8 and W9) will automatically be eligible for the David Stokes Historic Challenge award - and contenders who finish the 2022 season in the top three positions in each eligible will be considered for the accolade.
There will also be a separate Guy Weaver Award for co-drivers - Guy being David's navigator between 2006-2015.
To the eligible for both the David Stokes Historic Challenge and Guy Weaver awards competitors must:
- Be registered for the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship.
- Display the mandatory championship decals as provided, and display the additional David Stokes Historic Challenge decal, at each championship round.
- Show a measurable improvement in performance and results during the championship year.
- Demonstrate an ability and requisite pace to be competitive at a higher level, and to show a keenness to build on that in the future.
- Show the correct demeanour towards championship personnel, event officials and the award sponsors and to be a good ambassador for the sport should you be selected as the outright winner.
- Present yourself and your vehicle to a standard that reflects well on the driver, co- 
driver, team, championship, and sponsors.
- Show an understanding of the teamwork element of rallying and in conjunction with your driver/co-driver investigate methods of improving your teamwork and thereby performance together.
"I'm absolutely thrilled with the creation of the David Stokes Historic Challenge award and that David's legacy will continue in the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship as Welsh rallying was very close to his heart," said Sue Stokes.
"I will play a very active role in the process of finding a worthy winner of this award and aim to attend as many of the events as possible - to meet old and new friends in our extended motorsport family. I'm delighted to be involved and look forward to working with the Welsh National Rally Championship on this wonderful new initiative."
"We are pleased and excited to announce this very special David Stokes Historic Challenge," added Dave Evison, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship Secretary.
"The challenge will reward competitors who strive to improve and can demonstrate the desire and performance to succeed and enjoy the sport in a positive and safe manner. These characteristics were ably demonstrated by David throughout his many successful decades in the sport."
Further details on the 2022 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
For more information, please contact:
Dave Evison
Secretary, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship
Paul Evans
Press Officer, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship
14th January 2022
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