ROAD RALLY ROUND-UP

Welsh champions Andy Davies/michael Gilbey finished their highly successful season by taking victory in the final round of the series, The Eagle Rally. The pair led throughout the event.

The win means that Gilbey completes the year with a maximum possible championship total of 800 points.

Despite having to stop to rectify lighting issues in a neutral section, George Williams/dan Stone led at Petrol, but a series of wrong slots soon after the restart consigned them to fifth at the finish. One place further back was Mark Lennox, this result being enough to secure for him the ANWCC Drivers’ title.

Motorsport UK chairman David Richards appeared on his first road rally for over 40 years, navigating for former World champion co-driver Phil Mills. But they had a troubled run virtually from the start as their newly-built hired Escort developed fuel starvation problems. This led to their retirement at the fuel halt. Richards was disappointed not to have been able to fully experience road rallying in its current format.

Owen Turner/andy Ballantyne won the 40th running of the Preston Rally. A bumper 90-car entry competed on what might be the last running of this legendary event. Results Eagle Rally Organiser: Newtown & District Auto Club When: December 1/2 Where: Mid-wales Championships: WAMC & ANWCC Route: 120 miles Starters: 70. 1 Andy Davies/ Michael Gilbey (Subaru Impreza) 3m10s; 2 Mark ‘GT’ Roberts/ Dylan Jenkins (VW Golf GTI) +20s; 3 Paul Morgan/jamie Mills (Honda Civic); 4 Richy Williams/ Will Atkins (Vauxhall Astra); 5 George Williams/ Dan Stone (Ford Escort); 6 Mark Lennox/ Ian Beamond (Escort); 7 Gari Evans/arfon Griffiths (Escort); 8 Telor Pugh/ Cadog Davies (SEAT Ibiza); 9 Elliott Stafford/ Lewis Sim (Mazda MX-5); 10 Craig Bowler/ Chris Whittall (Civic).

Class winners: Morgan/ Mills; Mckorley Crone/ Rob Williams (Proton Satria GTI); Steve Fletcher/ Ross Kenyon (Satria).