West Wales aces target local win as they gear up for rally
TOMORROW sees the start of the much-awaited RAC Roger Albert Clark Rally, which boasts a topclass entry of 150 crews.
IT also includes a number of drivers from West Wales who aim to be at the finish line in Carmarthen town centre on Monday afternoon.
With 31 timed forest stages taking place throughout England, Scotland and Wales, it could be the toughest stage rally in the UK for a long time with crews from Ireland, Belgium, USA, Italy, Holland, France, Sweden, Isle of Man and even Hong Kong featuring on the entry list.
Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke will be in the Scott Williams Motorsport-prepared Escort Mk2, based near Llanybydder.
Just behind Prichard is Osian Price in another Escort Mk2, while Patrick Walsh co-driving for Roger Chilman are No. 7.
Llandysul co-driver James Morgan, back from the final round of the World Rally Championship in Monza, is sitting with Rhys Yates in an Escort Mk2.
Another Llandysul co-driver, Gwynfor Jones, sits with Adrian Young from near Narberth in an Escort Mk2.
Carmarthen driver Mike Roberts is No. 72 with Ken Bowman from Swansea on the maps, while probably the most experienced co-driver of them all is Ryland James from St Clears, having competed on the old RAC back in the 1980s. He is seeded at No. 139 with Malcolm Rich in a Ford Anglia.
The route heads into Wales on Sunday with six timed stages taking in Dyfnant, Gartheiniog and Dyfi.
The final day on Monday heads into West Wales with the classic stages of Walters Arena near Neath and the Glasfynydd stage above Llandovery.
The Crychan stage near Llandovery is used twice with Crychan 2 the final stage of the event. From there the crews head to Carmarthen and the finish where a parade lap will be held around the velodrome and the podium in the town centre.