HARRIES EXPERIENCES 4WD ON WYEDEAN
Llandysul rally driver Carwyn Harries took the next step in his rally career when he hired a D&C Rallying Subaru Impreza to contest the Get Connected! Wyedean rally. The Forest of Dean/ Chepstow based rally the opening round of the BTRDA & Welsh National Championships.
Harries and his Bronwydd co-driver Gareth Roberts were making their four wheel drive debut, making a cautious start over the opening test. However the Welsh pairing moved 20 places up the leaderboard on the very next stage which showed how they were acclimatising to their new mount.
The stages within the Forest of Dean were in very good condition with the dry spell helping keep the roads ideal for the opening round of the season. The Welsh boys kept a clean sheet through the remainder of the rally to put in a creditable eighth place in a very competitive class.
At the Chepstow Racecourse finish the pair both received awards for their efforts throughout the day with Carwyn receiving the Highest placed Youngest Driver award, while Gareth received the Michael "Beef" Park award, for the highest placed under 21yr old co-driver.
Carwyn was quick to express his thanks to D&C rallying,
"We have had no problems with the car all day and is a true credit to Dorian. He has a very good set-up with the boys and his wife Carol making us feel part of the team. The deal was a little last minute and I would like to do more with them and hope we can have a good test before hand next time."
Gareth was overwhelmed to have received such a prestigious award in honour of the World Rally Championship co-driver, Michael Park, who lost his life on last year's Wales Rally of Great Britain. The award was presented by Subaru World Rally Team co-driver, Phil Mills.
"I am absolutely over the moon to have won the award and it is a real honour to collect the award. Today has been a very good learning curve for both myself and Carwyn and to receive the award as made it that more special for me."
The pair plan to contest the BRC Stars of the Future along with as many rounds of the BTRDA as possible for the remainder of 2006.
