HRCR Classic Stage Rally ChallengeRound five: Mid Wales Historic Stages
Gareth Lloyd and Ryland James maintained their unbeaten run in the 2006 HRCR Classic Stage Rally Challenge during round five, the Mid Wales Historic stages over the weekend (24/25 June).
However, Lloyd/James had to push hard to see off a gaggle of challengers before returning to Newtown as winners at the end of an excellent event with stages in the Hafren and Sweet Lamb region.
After the opening two stages on Saturday afternoon, the Classic battle could not have been closer as one second covered the top four crews. Tied for the lead were Arwel Evans/Paul Wakely and Dick Slaughter/Geoff Dearing, while one second behind were Lloyd/James and Martin Jones/Kevin Owens as Escort Mk2s dominated the action.
Young Evans was particularly impressive in his Pinto-powered car even though the stages were new to him. "I've never even been in Sweet Lamb to spectate," he reported. Meanwhile, Slaughter attributed their pace to the fact that his brakes were finally working properly after a major overhaul.
"We thought we had two good stages, but everyone else had other ideas," admitted Lloyd before Sunday's restart. He quickly launched his attack on Sunday morning to move into the lead on the opening stages and was able to gradually extend his advantage to almost a minute at the end of the 55-stage mile event. "We had a big attack on the two long stages," added Lloyd.Out early on Sunday with a roll in Hafren went Jones/Owens, but Slaughter/Dearing had a great run to beat Evans/Wakely for second overall. "He pushed us on a bit," reckoned Slaughter of his chase of Lloyd. Meanwhile, Evans was again highly impressive to finish third overall and winner of class D3 in his less powerful car.
Back out on only his second rally in three years, Jason Lepley was an excellent fourth overall with Howard Pridmore on the notes in his Escort Mk2. Having just converted the car to Classic specification, Lepley thoroughly enjoyed the event and has pledged to be back for more. "This is the place to be," said Lepley of the Classic category, after upping his pace all weekend to finish just five seconds adrift of Evans.
With James Potter/Bob Stokoe sliding off in Myherin, Martin Freestone/Joanne Oakey took their Escort Mk2 into fifth after a solid performance, while Mark and Brett Clifford were an excellent sixth in their class D3 Escort.Out of luck were Stuart Clarke and Cliff Simmons with engine problems on the opening stage, while Terry Brown/Paul Willetts dropped over three minutes changing a puncture on stage two. They pressed on, and set fastest time on Sweet Lamb to climb back to ninth at the finish in their Escort Mk2.
