PUMAS ON THE PROWL

The trio of West Wales

Ford Pumas that have contested so many Targa rallies this season were at it once again on the Venta Silurum as they took the top three places, with Dan Morris and Geth Johnson emerging as winners on this occasion.

The second running of the Caerwent-based event had 68 starters tackling four loops of three tests each; this provided over 90 minutes of competition.

Gary and Bradley White were fastest on Test 1, but after a problematic event they slipped down the order and retired on Test 7.

The Peugeot 106 of Dafydd-Sion Lloyd and Steffan Davies became the interloper in the

Puma party. They took the lead until Test 9, when they picked up a puncture and dropped to fourth. They, along with two others, beat the bogey on Test 10, but then slid over the finish line and added 30 seconds to their total. On Test 11 a shaft broke and they were out.

Top seeds John Davies and Nick Bloxham led at one point but suffered two punctures, one caused by a rifle cartridge, and could only finish in third place.

A 20s penalty for a missed manoeuvre on Test 2 dropped Morris/Johnson to 13th place, but they recovered to take the lead with four tests remaining and finished nine seconds ahead of Ethan Davies/ Dafydd Evans. Ian Mills

Results

Venta Silurum Targa

Organiser: Forresters Car Club

When: August 21 Where: Caerwent

Championships: BTRDA, CSMG and ASWMC Tests: 12 (40 miles)

Starters: 68.

1 Dan Morris/Geth Johnson (Ford Puma) 95m44s; 2 Ethan Davies/Dafydd Evans (Ford Puma) +9s; 3 John Davies/ Nick Bloxham (Ford Puma); 4 Huw Morris/Alan Williams (Ford Focus); 5 Lewis Davies/Craig James (Ford Escort); 6 Jamie Jones/Craig Baker (Ford Escort); 7 Lewis Clarke/Oliver Luxton (Ford Fiesta); 8 Robert Milligan/ Nic Jones (Austin Mini); 9 Chris Woolley/ Jamie Woolley (BMW E30); 10 Lucas Redwood/Zak Linham (Ford Sierra).

Class winners: Max Hughes/William McKenzie (Ford Ka); James Fewell/Alex Fewell (Ford Puma); Bleddyn Thomas/ Sam Weller (Ford Escort).