This year’s event was extended to run over two days, 101 stage miles, 14 stages and 130 cars using some of the most classic roads in Wales including a 17-mile stage across Cwm Ystwyth and two competitive stages within Aberystwyth Town Centre and seafront.
The motorsport fraternity embraced the event to such an extent, it was selected as a round of the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship, Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, Tour European Rally Series, JD Tyres Welsh National Tarmacadam Championship and Stage Masters Challenge.
Photography Courtesy of Black Mountain Media
Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke – 14th Overall and 1st in Class H1
The regular pairing was back out in the Scott Williams built MKII Escort, seeded at 21 for this event. An excellent weekend reported by Phil. The car was faultless, the stages were awesome, the sun was shining and no moments to report.
Photography Courtesy of Black Mountain Media
Aled Wyn Morgans/Dan Petrie – 34th Overall, 17th in Class M5
Both reported the event to be a mega and very fast experience in the Aberystwyth Motorsport backed Escort Mk 2! A very well-run event with stages that were absolutely awesome with Cwm Ystwyth voted the best of the weekend - 17 miles of pure Welsh roads. The crew were happy lying 24th overall after day 1.
A good start was overshadowed by a puncture on the third stage which dropped them to 39th overall. However, a hard charge over the remaining stages saw them make up five places to finish 34th overall and 17th in a Class which saw them mixed with the R5s. A decent finish for only Al’s second time on pace notes.
Photography Courtesy of Black Mountain Media
Colin Davies/Lucy Wilding – 80th Overall, 7th in Class R1
Lucy reported that the event was the most difficult rally she has had to navigate on to date but also now one of her favourite events sitting alongside Colin Davies for the first time. It was full on from the word go with the notes being super busy due to the technicality of the stages, and no room for error on the narrow and winding lanes.
After a disappointing first day of the event due to retiring with mechanical woes, the second day certainly made up for their misfortune. Both crew members had a thoroughly enjoyable day and they enjoyed getting their teeth stuck into the stages. A relatively unproblematic day, other than a stage cancellation on SS10 due to an accident and having no intercom at all for SS13 due to the battery dying on the start line. Being classed as a finisher despite taking five stage maximums they didn’t get to complete on day one was seen as a bonus.
Photography Courtesy of Black Mountain Media
Geoff Roberts/Jack Bowen – DNF
This was Jack’s first time sat alongside Geoff Roberts in his historic spec Mk2 Escort. The first day went well with no dramas at all. They both loved the stages and got into the groove steadily. Like most others, they reportedly made a bit of a mess of the donut in the town centre and dropped about 10 seconds but nailed it second time round.
Lying 46th overall overnight, the pair started day 2 in a much better rhythm and with more commitment. Unfortunately, that all came to a dramatic end on the second stage. Going through a fast section of stage, they sadly got caught out a right hander over a jump. They went sailing off the road, down over a bank and tree stump and ended up in a ditch miles off the road. Both had some initial back pain and were carted off via ambulance for checks however both subsequently reported no injuries, just feeling stiff and sore.
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