One of the most talented amateur rally drivers in Wales, Jeff Churchill, has died aged 76, writes Ken Davies. Often described as the Welsh Roger Clark in the 1960s and 70s, Jeff was a prolific competition driver from the moment he competed in his first event, showing a prodigious and versatile talent behind the wheel, but although he tried road rallies, he was far happier on gravel. Born in … [Read more...]
Rallying
Tänak tanks to WRGB win in poor conditions
Estonian Ott Tänak gave Toyota its first Wales Rally GB win since 1996 by storming to victory at the gruelling event 3-6 October, delivering his Yaris WRC a scintillating 10 second win over Belgian rival Thierry Neuville. Tänak charged into the lead on the ninth of the event’s 22 stages and would never be headed whilst fastest time on the final Wolf Brenig Power Stage landed him an … [Read more...]
Sam’s skills shine before WRGB
Local schoolboy Sam Scharer aged just 10 from Ysgol Bro Gwydir School, Llanrwst, Conwy, won the nationwide competition to design a striking livery for a sports car at last week's Wales Rally GB. The resulting Toyota GT86 sportscar wrapped in Scharer’s prize-winning sea-themed design was publicly unveiled in Llandudno on the eve of this year’s Wales Rally GB, the UK’s round of the FIA World Rally … [Read more...]
Ogier looks to seventh heaven win in Wales
Sébastien Ogier scents a seventh straight FIA World Rally Championship title – and nobody is better placed than the Frenchman to boost his chances at this week’s Wales Rally GB starting today. No driver has enjoyed more success in Britain than the Citroën Racing star and the five-time winner, who reignited his championship hopes with victory in Turkey last month, reaches the … [Read more...]
New-look WRC in 2020
Japan, Kenya and New Zealand will return to the FIA World Rally Championship for 2020 in a refreshed calendar displaying a more global profile. A decade after it last featured in the WRC fixture list, Japan marks mainstream Asia’s first appearance in the series since then. The addition of Kenya’s iconic Safari Rally, one of global motorsport’s legendary contests, means the WRC … [Read more...]
Evans returns from injury to fight for WRGB win
Having missed the previous three rounds of this year’s World Rally Championship through injury, local hero Elfyn Evans has set his sights on the top step of the podium on his return to action in next week’s Wales Rally GB 3-6 October. The 30-year-old from Dolgellau made a strong start to the year coming close to victory in Corsica before damaging his spine in a heavy landing during … [Read more...]
Supercars supporting WRGB next month
More than 35 of the world’s fastest and most exciting supercars – including eye-catching Aston Martins, Ferraris, Jaguars, Lamborghinis, McLarens and Porsches – will be turning heads and dropping jaws in the heart of Colwyn Bay on Saturday 5 October. The glittering line-up of high-performance speedsters will driving into the Welsh resort to whet appetites ahead of the arrival of the World … [Read more...]
Maesteg DMC secure next year’s rally challenge
A new sponsorship deal has been secured for the Maesteg DMC promoted Rally Challenge in 2020. The new title is to be the Independent Paint Supplies Rally Challenge, with support from the same enthusiastic backers for the past seven years, as the Directors of FMP Motor Factors have sold the successful business whilst retaining the large paint supply arm. They have set up this new venture … [Read more...]
Welsh rivals battle for UK honours in Scotland
Two Welshmen will this week fight it out to decide the British Rally Championship, in Scotland. After five pulsating rounds, the British Rally Championship will be decided on the final event of the season — the Armstrong Galloway Hills Rally in southern Scotland this saturday. Two drivers have a mathematical chance of clinching Britain’s premier rallying title, and all that stands between the … [Read more...]
Champions return for WRGB next month
Next month’s Wales Rally GB 3-6 October has attracted a star-studded line-up. Entries for round 12 of this year’s 14-round WRC closed late last week, with an outstanding field of 59 International crews representing no fewer 25 nations revving up to compete against-the-clock on an exciting new-look route starting in Liverpool and featuring 22 gruelling special stages with the majority in the … [Read more...]