Rally fans turned back the clock even before summer time ends this weekend, writes Ken Davies. The second running of the Lombard RAC Rally retro 19/20 October proved more popular than the organizing team could ever have hoped, with resulting traffic jams caused by spectators queuing to enter the iconic stages rivalling those seen in period, 1976/80/83/86 and setting the perfect atmosphere on a … [Read more...]
Rallying
Marathon winner dies
Marathon rally specialist Andrew Cowan has died in hospital at the age of 82, writes Ken Davies. He was born in December 1936 into a farming family in the Scottish border town of Duns, a friend and neighbour of future F1 world champion Jim Clark, who was the same age and also a farmer. Very much an endurance rally specialist, perhaps Andrew’s most significant rally victories were on the first … [Read more...]
Jeff Churchill – perennial privateer underdog
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...]
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...]