JACK BENYON
GROUP NATIONAL EDITOR “Rally GB was a mixed bag for British series”
Never have I been so conflicted about a championship, or more specifically an event as part of a championship. In many ways, Wales Rally GB delivered everything it should have done for the British Rally Championship; intense drama as Matt Edwards almost missed his chance to win the title after hitting a bank, and David Bogie showing that he could take on the might of some of the world’s WRC2 manufacturer teams with stunning speed in North Wales, even running further down the order on Friday given his inability to enter WRC2 and BRC due to conflicting regulations between the two.
It was a thorough test of man and machine, against some of the world’s best. I don’t believe any national championship can combine the strong events already featured on the calendar with a finale as tough as Wales Rally GB.
The negatives came from the noncompetition aspect. The championship did its best to make an occasion, but its champion Matt Edwards was servicing 200 metres away from the rest of the competitors thanks to his M-sport backing. While the teams were mostly kept together, it didn’t feel obvious to a casual fan that they were walking through a group of British Rally Championship competitors, the service park arch being a kindly reminder.
It was a brilliant effort by the organisers and the event delivered for BRC crews, but fears that it would become lost in the World Rally Championship event were sadly realised.
In the future, if the series had more entries, competitors may help to create more of an atmosphere around it, but for now it was a case study that has many positives and negatives.
BRC organisers had already decided to drop the event to reserve status for 2019 as it goes in a different direction, mixing with the Irish Tarmac and Scottish championships as best as possible.
On the entries front, chatting to competitors over the Rally GB weekend, the majority are wanting a return to the series. While those on the outside looking in and watching numbers drop have called for the BRC’S head, within the series the competitors are aware of the incredible test the championship offers and have, in most cases, backed it completely.
Next year’s calendar was well received, from the last car on the road up to Malcolm Wilson of M-sport, with trips to the Cambrian, West Cork and Galloway Hills providing a welcome shake-up and a chance to share more events with the Irish Tarmac and Scottish championships.
Looking at the excellent performances of Bogie and Tom Cave in particular from Wales Rally GB, it’s clear the BRC provides a role in allowing younger drivers to learn and compete with the world’s best.
Fighting their way through the remnants of Storm Callum, Kevin Davies/michael Gilbey took another decisive win on the 1000 Lanes Road Rally on Saturday night. Never headed, the pair romped home with a victory margin of over a minute. The result virtually secures the Welsh Championship for Gilbey with three rounds remaining, the next being the infamous Cilwendeg on October 27/28.
The battle for second place was much closer with Andy Davies/dale Bowen beating George Williams/daniel Stone by one second. Davies and Bowen had been unfortunate to pick up a puncture on the second section, losing two minutes, but were then fortunate in that the section had to be scrubbed due to an unrelated route blockage. This result may be significant at the end of the season as the two drivers battle for the Welsh Championship drivers’ crown.
Defending champions Mark ‘GT’ Roberts/ Dylan Jenkins’ hopes of of retaining their title faded as they suffered a puncture on the final section and trailed in in eighth place.
Ex-world Rally Championship co-driver Nicky Grist made a rare outing on the event, taking 20th overall with Steve Davies in a Ford Escort. Results Organiser: Heads of the Valley Auto Club When: October
13/14 Where: south east Wales Championships: WAMC Route: 110 Miles Starters: 73. 1 Kevin Davies/ Michael Gilbey (Ford Escort) 2m32s; 2 Andy Davies/ Dale Bowen (Subaru Impreza) +1m13s; 3 George Williams/ Daniel Stone (Escort); 4 Matthew Jones/ Osian Davies (Vauxhall Astra); 5 Craig Bowler/ Chris Whittall (Honda Civic Type R); 6 Matt Barker/jordan Dziadulewicz (Peugeot 206); 7 Steve Knibbs/andrew Edwards (Proton Satria); 8 Mark ‘GT’ Roberts/ Dylan Jenkins (VW Golf GTI); 9 Jamie Crump/ Clive Jones (Escort); 10 Alyn Welsby/ Mark Rodway (Escort).
Class Winners: Daniel Williams/ Shaun Richards (BMW 318ti); David Barrell/ Sarah Canning (Peugeot 205).