ANOTHER RALLY IS CALLED OFF
CARMARTHEN Motor Club has become the latest rally organiser to have to postpone one of its major events, the Fairfield Merlin Stages that was due to take place at the Welsh Motorsport Centre at Pembrey on Sunday, May 23.
A spokesman for the motor club said: “Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Covid restrictions in Wales combined with the current Welsh Government map out of lockdown not listing when rallying will be able to resume and with only six weeks to go to the event, we have come to the inevitable decision that the Fairfield Merlin Stages will not run on May 23.
“We would like to thank our title sponsor Fairfield Motor Sport of Bridgend, the WAMC Tarmacadam Championship and the Formula 1000 Championship for their continued support of the event and look forward to combining the partnerships in the future.
“There is growing concern within the motorsporting world, one that contributes massively to businesses and the Welsh economy, that the sport appears to be being disregarded by the Welsh Government.
“It seems to be given scant recognition in plans to re-introduce motorsport to the Principality despite efforts by organising motor clubs and the governing body, Motorsport UK, to ensure that practices and procedures have been planned and advised to all organisers to ensure that events can proceed without risk of Covid incidents.
“The sport is taking such safety measures very seriously in the interest of all concerned.”
ON a brighter note for the sport, junior rally drivers and co-drivers are set to benefit from an impressive Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship incentive that has been announced by the Welsh series.
Welsh driver Tom Llewellin, a former winner of a similar prize, has said that winning a test drive in an R5 car was an “incredible experience” – and that magnificent prize is once again up for grabs to the winning junior driver in this year’s Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship.
The talented Pembrokeshire youngster, who is the son of double British Rally champion David Llewellin, became Welsh Junior National champion, as well as the Restruct Two-wheel Drive and Ravenol Welsh Challenge champion, in 2019, which, owing to Covid-19 restrictions, was the last time the series was run.
Co-driven by Peredur Davies, Llewellin, who drove his Historicspec Ford Escort Mk2 to junior title success, won the prize of a test in a PCRS Rallysport-prepared Hyundai i20 R5, organised by Onthe Pacenote. co.uk.
All eligible drivers and co-drivers, who must not have previously won the Junior Championship title, must be under 25 on January 1, 2021, and use Onthepacenote route notes supplied directly by them. They will also be invited to training days (subject to Welsh Covid-19 guidelines).
Previously, experienced drivers such as Elfyn Evans, Gus Greensmith, Osian Pryce and Jason Pritchard have been guests at these junior training sessions, passing on their invaluable knowledge via discussions and custom-made practical tests.
The junior co-driver prize will be a voucher to spend on any product at Nicky Grist Motorsports.
Previously this prize has been an invitation to attend a top FIA World Rally Championship team’s private test session, but due to Covid-19 restrictions it is not possible to offer this reward in 2021, but it’s hoped the situation will allow the WRC team prize to be available to the winning co-driver in 2022.
Llewellin said: “I cannot recommend the Welsh National Rally Championship enough. I just can’t fault it. The Junior Championship has a very good incentive and to win a test drive in an R5 car was an incredible experience.
“Philip Case of PCRS Rallysport sat beside me and talked me through how the car worked – and by the end of the day I felt very comfortable driving it at speed.
“Competing in an R5 car is the next step up the rally climb and where most junior rally drivers want to be, so it was an amazing opportunity to get the chance to experience one first hand.
“The training days were also great – and very beneficial for junior drivers like me who are trying to progress through the sport. We are lucky in Wales to have some of the very best forestry stages in the world.
“For me just starting out, it was a bonus to be able to compete on such iconic stages without the extra expense of having to travel around the UK. In addition to the great stages, the competition was very good too.
“There was always a strong field of cars, and without a doubt doing well in the Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship puts you on the right road for future success.”
Craig Parry of Onthepacenote UK said: “I’m very proud that 2021 will be the third year that we have been supporting and working with the junior drivers and co-drivers in the championship. It’s great to see how the scheme has grown and continues to grow.
“I’d like to thank PCRS Rallysport for giving us the chance to offer such a great prize with a test in their latest spec Hyundai i20 R5 for the overall winning junior driver, which you have to admit is a fantastic opportunity for a young driver.
“We had three training sessions planned for 2021, and we’ll run as many as Covid-19 restrictions allow.
“These days have proved extremely popular, concentrating on learning through practical experience rather than in a classroom. The feedback we’ve received from attending junior crews has been fantastic.”
Dave Evison, Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship secretary, said: “My thanks to Onthepacenote for supporting us. A Hyundai i20 R5 test drive is a fantastic opportunity for a young driver, so my thanks to Philip Case at PCRS Rallysport for making it possible.
“Junior training days have proved beneficial to both drivers and codrivers thanks to the many experienced rally drivers who support them. It is also very encouraging to hear Tom Llewellin speak so highly of not only the prize but the Welsh National Rally Championship too as an ideal springboard to a future in rallying.”