LOCAL CREWS STAR IN RALLY
A HOST of West Wales crews braved the 300 miles of the gruelling Roger Albert Clark Rally.
The epic five-day adventure started in Carlisle and ended in Carmarthen.
Crews caught out within the first mile of the first stage in Newcastleton Forest included Roger Chilman, co-driven by Patrick Walsh in the Wales Motorsport-prepared Escort Mk2 from Beulah near Newcastle Emlyn, when they rolled off the road. On the same bend, Harry Hunt in the Melvyn Evans Motorsport Escort Mk2 from Pumpsaint near Lampeter ended up in the trees.
Organisers had to cancel the Saturday leg of the event after Storm Arwen, with trees down in forests and roads blocked by snow, and the long drive to Wales began on the Saturday afternoon.
Sunday saw the action begin with double runs of the classic Welsh forests in Dyfnant and Dyfi in Mid Wales, and more drama unfolded as rally leader Jason Pritchard suffered a major roll in the Llanybydder-based Scott Williams Motorsport Escort Mk2, ending his rally after clipping a log pile.
The final day saw the crews face six timed forest stages in Walters Arena, Glasfynydd and Crychan above Llandovery all being run twice.
Walters Arena near Glynneath saw huge drama, with the leading crew of Paul Barrett rolling another of the Wales Motorsport Beulah cars into retirement. Osian Price, lying second overall, lost a front wheel which forced the Welshman into retirement.
Narberth’s Adrian Young with Llandysul co-driver Gwynfor Jones were forced to retire on the penultimate stage in their Escort Mk2.
All the crews remaining arrived in Carmarthen for the finish arch in Nott Square.
Locals who got there included Malcolm Rich from Brecon with St Clears co-driver Ryland James, who finished 26th overall and won Category 1 outright in a little Ford Anglia. It was a huge achievement on such a prestigious event against much more powerful cars.
Mike Roberts finished 28th overall and third in class in a Mk2 Escort. The Evans Motors of Carmarthen-prepared Historic Talbot Sunbeam was put together in just four weeks from a bare shell before the rally began and finished 30th overall and second in class with David Hopkins driving.
The Sarnau Hillman Avenger in the hands of Tony Jardine made the finish in 75th overall and fifth in class after being repaired after their spin in the Pundershaw Forest.*