Shaun Gardener made it back-to-back maximum points scores in the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship on the Winner Garage Skoda Wyedean Stages Rally, writes Peter Hughes.
Despite heavy overnight rain that produced treacherous conditions for competitors, the Ludlow driver and co-driver Ben Innes headed the Championship cars throughout the event in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5.9.2. Second place went to Worcester pairing Paul Davy and Roger Allan in their Subaru Impreza while Andrew Jones and Keaton Williams took their Mark 2 Ford Escort to third.
Absentees Luke Francis and John H Roberts had already secured the overall driver and co-driver titles but the lower positions were still up for grabs. Sixth place points were just enough for Surrey’s Wug Utting and co-driver Bob Stokoe to claim the overall runner-up spot. Third in the driver standings was secured by Andrew Jones while Mark Glennerster finishes third among the co-drivers.
While outgoing Group N champions Paul Davy and Roger Allan took maximum points on this event, Utting and Stokoe secured the title for less modified cars. The absent Andy Davies and Max Freeman take second place while completing the drivers’ Group N Championship podium is Simon Dalton. Roger Allan finishes the season as third placed Group N co-driver.
Andrew Jones takes the two wheel drive honours along with the Vital Equipment junior title for drivers under 25. Rear wheel drive honours go to Flying Kiwi Boyd Kershaw and Tim Cains takes the front wheel drive title. Top two wheel drive co-driver is Caron Tomlinson. He takes the place by just a single point from Richard Crozier while Martin Griffiths and Richard May take rear and front wheel drive honours.
Rhydian Price and Jake McKenna complete the Junior driver top 3 while Max Freeman heads the Vital Equipment Junior co-driver standings despite missing the rally. Just one point back, in second place, comes Simon Jones who misses out on the title after finishing behind Keaton Williams on the event. Ahead of Williams and third in the end of season standings is Chris Davies.
McKenna and Price take the drivers’ titles in Class 2 and 3 respectively with Cal McElhinney and Claire Williams heading the class co-driver standings. Bob Vardy and Rhodri Evan are top C lass 4 driver and co-driver while the honours in Class 5 go to Hywel Davies and Richard Crozier.
In Class 6, it’s Gavin Edwards and Bryan Hull who take the laurels with Colin Griffiths and Emyr Hall picking them up in Class 7.
The hotly contested class 8 goes to Dylan Davies who finishes a single point ahead of Simon Thomas, while Mark Williams is top co-driver.
Despite retiring from this event, Martyn England wins Class WRC1 with Mark Glennerster top co-driver.
Arwel Jenkins will take the crown as leading Class N3 co-driver while top driver and co-driver in Class N4 are Andy Davies and Max Freeman.
Speaking after the rally Championship Co-ordinator Dave Evison commented, “I would like to thank all the competitors, event organiser and marshals who have supported us throughout the season. In particular, I would like to thank everyone involved in making the final event of the year a success in very difficult conditions.”
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Pirelli plan for 2017 |
The organisers of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship have unveiled the events that subject to MSA approval will make up the 2017 series. Championship Coordinator Dave Evison said, “As far as the calendar is concerned we could see no point in making changes for the sake of it and we are happy to support the events and organising teams that have done such a great job in 2016.” The full calendar is: |
11 February 2017 | Cambrian Rally | North Wales Car Club |
5 March | Mid Wales Stages | Newtown and District AC |
1 April | Rally North Wales | WSSCC |
13 May | Plains Rally | Knutsford and District MC |
3 June | Severn Valley Stages | Midland Manor MC |
8 July | Nicky Grist Stages | Quinton MC |
2 September | Woodpecker Rally | 60 and Worcestershire MC |
11 November | Wyedean Rally | Forest of Dean MC |