After multiple leaders, Hodgson and Jones take Ty Croes win
Organiser: Stockport 061 MC When: April 17 Where: Ty Croes, Anglesey Championships: ANWCC; ANCC, SD34 Stages: 10 Starters: 51
Three crews took turns at leading the second of this year’s Anglesey Circuit rallies, and it was the Ford Escort Mk2 of Martin Hodgson/tony Jones that emerged victorious.
Brandon Smith and 15-year-old Chloe Thomas, leaders at halfway, finished runners-up in their Darrian and Mike Taylor/mark de Spong claimed the final podium spot in their Sunbeam Lotus.
Son-and-father crew Dale and Mark Carter gained a brilliant result with fourth in their Subaru Impreza, ahead of the 1600cc class winners Howard Potter/ Louise Clark (Talbot Sunbeam). Tied in sixth were John Clayton/craig Simkiss (Mitsubishi Lancer) and Cathy Sewart/ Colin Stephens (Sunbeam Lotus), the lady driver losing out on the tie-breaker but still claiming her best finish.
Derek Blyth/nick Colman (Impreza) took eighth ahead of Mathew Roberts/ Eilir Williams (Citroen Saxo).
Chris Brierley, normally a co-driver, was given the loan of his driver’s BMW and claimed a top 10 place with Dylan (Chloe’s father) Thomas co-driving.
The two-litre class looked to be heading to Rob Hughes/sion Cunniff until their Ford Focus diff failed on the last stage. They limped home to gain points.
Early class leaders had been Mark Kelly/andy Baker (Ford Escort) who were third when they retired with minor damage. That left locals John Jones/ Llion Owen (Escort) to take the win by just 7s from Adam Booth/daniel Granger, debuting their beautifully turned-out Ford Escort Mk2. Third went to Steven Ellison/adrian Lloyd (Escort).
Early leaders Mick Gilman/iain Douglas (Escort Cosworth) stopped on stage six, while late entry Dave Davies/ Rich Jones were in second spot in their BMW Compact when the electrics failed.
The top three in the smaller capacity classes remained unchanged throughout, the 1600 class awards going to Potter/ Clark, Roberts/williams and third Sion Jones/gethin Williams (Citroen Saxo). The 1400cc class was won by locals Dyfed Pritchard/ianto Jones (Vauxhall Nova) from Martin Payne/sarah Payne (Vauxhall Astra) and Ian Kelly/ Margaret Kelly (Nissan Micra). Results 1 Martin Hodgson/tony Jones (Ford Escort Mk2) 50m52s; 2 Brandon Smith/ Chloe Thomas (Darrian T9) +32s; 3 Mike Taylor/ Mark de Spong (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus); 4 Dale Carter/ Mark Carter (Subaru Impreza); 5 Howard Potter/ Louise Clark (Talbot Sunbeam); 6 John Clayton/ Craig Simkiss (Mitsubishi Lancer); 7 Cathy Sewart/ Colin Stephens (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus); 8 Derek Blyth/ Nick Colman (Impreza); 9 Mathew Roberts/ Eilir Williams (Citroen Saxo); 10 Christopher Brierley/ Dylan Thomas (BMW M3). Class winners Dyfed Pritchard/ Ianto Jones (Vauxhall Nova); Potter/ Clark; John Jones/ Llion Owen (Escort Mk2); Hodgson/jones.