Thrilling finale for SJR Hankook on Wales Rally GB with championship victory and points haul
SJR Hankook finished its debut season in the British Rally Championship in style this weekend as drivers Gwyndaf Evans and Stuart Jones triumphed in Wales Rally GB – also the final round of the World Rally Championship.
Welsh wizard Gwyndaf secured the most sought after prize in British rallying after winning the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge – a works drive in the BRC next year.
And Stuart Jones recorded his best BRC result of the year finishing second in the category and setting a string of fastest times in the Group N class against more experienced contenders and BRC regulars.
He finished 17th overall and powered to an impressive fifth in class.
“It has been a tremendous year for the team in the BRC and to finish on such a high is just reward for the team,’’ said Hankook Motorsports manager Mike Patterson.
“Both drivers had problems during the rally but through grit and determination both made the finish and Stuart and co-driver Craig Parry were rewarded with a second overall in the BRC category, first overall in the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge and the knowledge that they can compete with the best in the world in Group N machinery.’’
And for Gwyndaf the reward for a consistent year in the BRC and Mitsubishi Ralliart Challenge is a works drive with the team next year after setting the Group N pace before his Mitsubishi Evo 9 suffered gearbox problems on day two of the three day event.
“This year we set out to make our mark in British rallying and with our performance throughout the season,’’ said Mike. “The speed of the drivers, the quality of the Hankook tyres and the determination of everybody involved has been outstanding on every single round and I’m delighted the team has finished on such a high.’’
For Gwyndaf the three day event in Wales was a rollercoaster of emotions when gearbox problems looked to have ended his Mitsubishi challenge. However rival Jonny Milner also suffered problems and Gwynaf emerged as the victor.
“It has been one of the most bizarre rallies I have ever contested as the SupeRally rules mean that even when a car has problems you can take time penalties and still be classed as a finisher,’’ said Gwyndaf.
Stuart also suffered mechanical woes – his problems on day one of the rally, but once back in action he was consistently among the front runners and delighted to be able to set such quick times on stages which were among the most difficult in the world.
SJR Hankook team Day One of Wales Rally GB
Car 66 Gwyndaf Evans and Huw Lewis: The pair started the event in style setting the fastest time of the British Rally Championship contenders and finished the day leading the BRC challenge despite losing time on one of the stages.
Car 74 Stuart Jones and Craig Parry: A testing day for the young Welsh hotshot with a rollercoaster of emotions as the pair went from being among the fastest Group N runners to retirement with a broken cam sensor. But the determined team repaired the car ready to restart day two of the rally thanks to SupeRally regulations which allow competitors to restart the following day if the car can be repaired.
SJR Hankook team Day Two of Wales Rally GB
Car 66 Gwyndaf Evans and Huw Lewis: Gearbox problems on the first of the day’s stages but the pair out of the rally.
Car 74 Stuart Jones and Craig Parry: A better day for the pair with a string of fastest times in the BRC and a charge up the leaderboard.
SJR Hankook team Day Three of Wales Rally GB
Car 66 Gwyndaf Evans and Huw Lewis: The pair picked up points for starting day three of the event but gearbox problems forced them to miss the day’s stages. However under the SupeRally rules the pair finished the event and won the Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge.
Car 74 Stuart Jones and Craig Parry: Consistently fast times meant the pair were more than a match for the competition and finished the day second overall in the BRC.
