Competitors in the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship travel to Ludlow on Saturday for the penultimate round of the series with no fewer than seven drivers still with a chance of taking the title.
With the series enjoying a surge in registrations this season there are plenty of class honours still to be decided as well on the Woodpecker Rally.
Paul Davy, from Worcester has yet to claim an overall win this season but consistent performances, he hasn’t been out of the top 5 all season, mean that he currently leads the series in his Group N specification Subaru Impreza. With co-driver Roger Allan, who also leads that Championship, Entries Secretary on this event, Paul has teamed up with Dood Pearce as he tries to extend his series lead on his home event.
Meanwhile, Malvern man Bob Ceen will be doing all he can to move to the top of the standings. He lies just three points back from the leader going into the event.
Bob claimed his first win of the season in his Impreza World Rally Car on the Severn Valley Stages with three second places to back that up. A non-finish on the Plains Rally is the only blot on his copy-book so far this year.
Dylan Davies took an 18 month break from the sport before the start of this season but he has come back with a bang and the Llanon driver is currently lying third overall in the series while his co-driver in the Impreza, Caernarfon’s Llion Williams lies second in that Championship.
Roland Llewellin, from Haverfordwest, is in fourth place as well as lying second in the Group N standings in his Mitsubishi Evo IX. He and co-driver Jamie Edwards, from Wrexham will be looking to move up the standings in both battles.
Three drivers are currently tied for fifth place and all have a mathematical chance of winning the series although a top three finish might be a more realistic target. With Hugh Hunter not scheduled to compete this weekend, Luke Francis, from Abergele will be keen to put in a strong performance in his Mitsubishi Evo after what can only be described as mixed fortunes so far this season.
Jamie Anderson, meanwhile, has taken two wins and a second place in his three championship appearances so far and the Ellistown driver will want to maintain that track record in his Mitsubishi World Rally Car.
John Baker, from Ellesmere, currently leads the two wheel drive category (above) in his Ford Escort following three successive non-finishes for the Suzuki Swift of Jamie Jukes. The Llandysul driver now lies just one point ahead of Bridgnorth’s Tim Cains. With Jamie not starting this weekend, the Ludlow Castle club member will be looking to close that gap on what is effectively his home event in his Peugeot 309. Watch out, too, for a strong performance from Jon Ballinger.
The Hereford driver and co-driver Mike Wilding, from Tenbury Wells have already claimed maximum two wheel drive points twice this season in their venerable Opel Manta.
Pontyclun driver Morgan Handford will seek to consolidate his lead in the Junior driver category, for competitors aged under 25, while the battle will also continue for the Ravenol Welsh Challenge which offers the winner £3000 worth of the lubricant company’s products. That’s currently led by Paul Davy but a total of 13 drivers remain in contention for the valuable end of season prize.
It looks as if many of the battle are set to go down to the final round, the Cambrian Rally in October but every Championship contender knows that a strong performance this weekend over the classic Woodpecker stages is also crucial.
Where to watch
Spectators are welcome at two locations, Haye Park near Ludlow and Radnor Forest in mid Wales. Access to the spectator car parks costs £10 per car and includes a Programme and Entry List. This will allow you access to all spectator car parks on the day.
The Haye Park car park entrance is on the minor road between Ludlow and Wigmore (OS Map 137 / 474732, post code SY8 2HE). Catering, toilet facilities and a commentary will be available. The cars visit Haye Park twice, first car due for SS2 at 09:00 and first car due for SS6 at 14:30.
The Radnor Forest car park entrance is on the A488 between Knighton and Penybont (OS Map 148 / 189683, nearest post code LD7 1PA). Parking is on forest tracks. The cars visit Radnor Forest once, with first car due for SS4 at 12:00.
