Port Talbot Motor Club gets the opening round of the 2016 MSA Asphalt Rally Championship underway on Sunday.
The Melvyn Evans Motorsport Tour of Epynt, incorporating the BTRDA Rally Challenge, Millington Rear Wheel Drive Challenge, and AB Motorsport Front Wheel Drive Challenge, is also included in the 2016 J D Tyres Welsh National Tarmacadam Championship, the Restruct Ltd Welsh Mixed Surface Championship and the 2016 Hirefit King of Epynt.
It is again based at the Castle Hotel in Llandovery, with some eighty miles over seven stages on the legendary Epynt military ranges above Sennybridge, with one central Service Area.
The event will Start on the Epynt Ranges & Finish at the Castle Hotel, with close on one hundred crews competing on the season opener.
The top ten features Simon Mauger / Jon Hawkins in the MG Metro 6M4, Damian Cole / Paul Morris in their Ford Fiesta WRC; Stephen Simpson / Patrick Walsh Subaru Impreza WRC; Adrian Spencer / Mark Hewitt Impreza WRC S11; Eian Pritchard / Steve McPhee in a Ford Focus WRC; Epynt multi- winner Bob Fowden / Paul Wakely also Impreza WRC mounted; fellow PTMC men Phil Turner / Simon Anthony in the Mitsubishi Evo 9; Rob Tout / Dylan James, Mitsubishi Evo; Richard Clews / Carl Williamson Subaru Impreza StI, and the top ten is completed with Mark Worley / Hamish Campbell, Impreza 12b.
Spectators are welcome at the event, though in line with the new MSA safety precautions access will of necessity be different to earlier years on Epynt.
All spectator access is from the ‘Dual Carriageway’ off the A40 at Llywel, no other access permitted, and three locations can be reached.
Dixies will have viewing of stages 1,3,5, 6 and 7 from 09.00 through to 16.10; Burma Road will allow views of stages 1,3,5, 6 and 7 from 09.00 to 16.10, and the third spectator area will be for viewing near German Village East, for stages 2,4,5, 6 and 7, from 09.12 through to 16.10.
It is essential that spectators respect the indicated viewing areas and parking arrangements at every location, in their own interests and that of the sport, as MSA Safety observers have the right to cancel stages should they consider any risk unacceptable.
Admission will be by programme at the gate at the top of the ‘dual carriageway’, proceeds to local charitable organisations.
The Awards Ceremony is scheduled for 6.00 pm at the Castle Hotel Llandovery.