Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship and HRCR Classic Stage Rally ChallengeNews round-up after event five: Mid Wales Historic Stages

Welcome to the post-event news and gossip update for the 2006 Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship and HRCR Classic Stage Rally Challenge.Round five of both series, the Mid Wales Historic Stages was a tough and dusty challenge, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all crews. Once again, the first class organisation and friendly organising team from Newtown and District AC made this one of the best-received events of the season.NewsDon Simmons and Brian Thomas teamed up once more to give Simmons' freshly prepared Escort Mk1 a finish on its debut event. Despite running on three cylinders, having gear selection problem and a lack of intercom, Brian reported that they learnt a lot about the car, which can be sorted. However, he says the driver and co-driver will need a lot more work before Flanders.Stuart Clarke had a tough event in Classics after engine problems stopped his Escort Mk2 on the opening stage. Dave Foster and Terry March had a good run on their gravel debut with the ex-Dave Preece Porsche 911. They were determined to finish and learnt a lot on their way to seventh in historics.A classic 12-miler in Myherin was one of the event's star stages and was a new challenge to many crews. Gareth Lloyd reckoned he'd been in there in 1994, David Stokes hadn't been there since the 1970s and Steven Smith ended his 1988 RAC Rally by crashing out in the stage.Martin Freestone reported that a change of spring set-up had transformed the handling of his Mk2 Escort. With the newly married Joanne Oakey on the notes, they made a welcome return to Classics and finished fifth after increasing their pace through the event.John Worthing and Bill Robertson had an early scare before winning C2 in a mighty battle with Ken Forster/John Stanger-Leathes. The fan packed up on the startline of SS1 and the gauge was showing 120 degrees when they got moving. But it all held together for a memorable event. It was also a true home win for John, as his grandmother was born and raised on a farm just down the valley from Sweet Lamb/Myherin. "I felt I was winning my home event surrounded by my family's roots," he admitted.Richard Simpson/Craig Wallace couldn't keep the dust out of the engine of their Skoda 120S, but pressed on with the engine using more and more oil. However, with a replacement at £50 from the scrap-yard, it wasn't a total disaster when the engine expired on Sunday morning.Keith Colman and David Marriott stepped up from HRCR road rallying to tackle their first gravel rally in Colman's Volvo PV544. They were a welcome addition to the historic category and had a good run to finish eighth, thoroughly enjoying the experience.Ken Forster/John Stanger-Leathes were very quick to congratulate C2 rivals John Worthing/Bill Robertson after a great battle, which was decided by 1 second on the final stage. However, Ken drove that last stage with no third gear and nearly got reverse as he accelerated away from the start. "I drove like a lunatic after that, but to no avail," he said.Quotes of the rally"No moments at all – most unlike me!" James Stait has a good run on Saturday, but retired the Midget with suspension problems on Sunday."Class C2 and the camaraderie between all the crews in the championship is absolutely second to none - can't imagine life without it!" Ken Forster had a glorious battle with John Worthing."It's like driving a standard 850." Clive King has a lack of power in his Mini Cooper S and would retire shortly afterwards."My normal safe speed." David Stokes, a master of understatement reports on the two stages on Saturday."He's going to have to go some!" Steven Smith ponders the two-second gap to Mark Solloway at the re-start on Sunday morning."I'm gutted not to be doing it." Richard Tuthill had to pull his entry due to pressure of work. "I want to have a go against Mark Solloway, Steven Smith and the boys!""It's because we've got brakes!" Dick Slaughter reckons his Classic pace was due to being able to stop effectively after an overhaul of the braking system."He was teaching me to drive like a god." Neil Parsons got some pre-event coaching from Steven Smith."No problems so far, apart from the driver." Jim Holmes gets into self-analysis."It's just that the driver's getting a bit old." Mark Clifford identifies their only problem from Saturday's stages."I nicked some of dad's tyres out of the van." Lawrence Green solves his tyre supply problem."No intercom all day Sunday - much shouting and hand signals!" Brian Thomas works hard alongside Don Simmons."Dessie managed to find an Irish bog in Wales." Steven Smith has time to see Nutt's 911 off in Hafren."We've had a whole lot more serious moments and got away with it." Dessie Nutt explains his off."I always wanted a 240Z as a road car!" Jamie Edwards settles into co-driving for Duncan Pearcey."Debby told me I was driving like a girl yesterday!" Hugh Myers gets motivational input from his wife and co-driver."We think it's the turbo." Chris Green ponders the pace of Lotus Cortina rival Philip Atkinson."We're on 15-year old tyres, so we prayed for snow yesterday." BHRC debutant Keith Colman had a ball in his Volvo PV544."Even Stokesy was impressed by the wheel marks – so it must have been a big one!" Steven Smith got away with a big moment in the ditch in Myherin."I'm glad it's still on its wheels." Co-driver Robert Harrison is happy that John Parker's Saab stayed the right way up this time."It was a privilege to be in front of Gareth once." Dick Slaughter enjoyed a short spell in front of Gareth Lloyd.And finally, quotes about the rally"Absolutely excellent event. The best we've had this year." Nick Pinkett."Proper stages. This is the best rally." Jeremy Easson."It was bloody marvellous. The event was superbly run." Keith Colman.

PointsProvisional BHRC overall driver points after five rounds:1 Steven Smith 1522 Neil Calvert 1343 Patrick Watts 1204 Philip Atkinson 1155 Mark Solloway 1146 Dessie Nutt 94= Ken Forster 948 Sean Lockyear 919 Paul Mankin 8510 Clive King  81Provisional HRCR Classic overall driver points after five rounds:1 Gareth Lloyd 1552 Arwel Evans 1153 Richard Lane  974 Chris Shooter  825 Mark Clifford 686 Dick Slaughter 677 Ian Rix  578 Charlie Taylor 56= Martin Freestone 5610 Terry Brown 50Championship DVDHummingbird Productions is again filming all rounds of the 2006 championship to compile unrivalled reports of the events. The Robin Hood edition (over two hours) is available, while the Astra/Welsh DVD will be available by the end of June and will be closely followed by the Severn Valley/Mid Wales edition. The Manx is likely to be covered by a single DVD.The best way to order is to visit justrallying.co.uk and order on-line. More details are available from Hummingbird on 01522 853587 or e-mail to: hummingbirdproduction@yahoo.co.uk