Determined to keep his championship aspirations alive, Aberdyfi rally driver, Wyn Humphreys contested round six of the British Trials and Rally Drivers Association Rally Championship (BTRDA) in a TEG Sport Subaru Impreza hire car. The Dukeries Rally saw the Welshman take maximum points in the under 25 category despite having a frustrating day with gearbox maladies.
Partnered in the Subaru by regular co-driver, Machynlleth man Mark Lewis, the Welsh pair started the Mansfield based event keen to claim some points in their BTRDA campaign. However after completing the second test of the day, a problem occurred that would put pay to any chance of a good placing inside the top ten, a problem which would prevent Humphreys from using first gear. The event's schedule would also mean the offending gearbox would remain in the car for the duration of the rally.
"It is frustrating to start so well then have an unforseen problem on the seciond stage of the day, knowing it will remain in that condition throughout the rally. It meant we had to start each stage in second gear off the start line. It caused big time losses on every stage."
Throughout the day the problem was getting worse and making it difficult to select second gear. It also caused a problem in slowing the car down using the gears, the twenty one year old driver pushed hard throughout the day to try and balance out the lack of gears. The pair arrived at the finish encouraged by the fact they managed a very creditable 17th overall and sixth in the Group N Production Class.
"We wanted a good result and with our problems today we have to be up beat with the result. The noise over the last stage was serious, finishing has been an achievement in itself, let alone inside the top twenty so we are very happy with that."
The pair will now contest the next round of the championship in their regular mount Subaru. The Quinton Rally will take place in the Mid Wales forests above Llandovery on Saturday 9th July 2005. Humphreys will aim to test his Subaru ahead of the Mid Wales event, having not used the car since his dramatic exit from the Red Dragon Rally.
"It will be good to get back in our car and get some miles in a test environment. We are getting quicker with every mile, so we should be competitive again on the Quinton and keep our championship alive for the rest of the season."
