Francis heads the Rally North Wales pack

Luke Francis will head off as the leading seed for this weekend’s Rally North Wales, and will be hoping to reclaim a place at the head of the Welsh Rally Championship.

Francis missed the Red Kite Stages – the second round of the championship – but won the opener on the Cambrian overall. The Welshman suffered an engine failure on the Malcolm Wilson Stages, the last time he was out.

Steve Simpson is the second seed as he continues to improve on gravel roads in his Fiesta S2000, while Brendan Cumiskey is an interesting proposition in his new Fiesta R5.

The Dolgellau-based Saturday event has retired the number one seed in honour of David Stokes.