The Kumho Motorsport Team experienced mixed fortunes on the opening round of the Legend Fires MSA Asphalt Rally Championship. Melvyn Evans and Mark Morgan were all fired up for their local and the only Welsh round of the championship.
Rain was the order of the day, torrential at times, so the correct Kumho tyre choice would be essential to obtain any respectable result.
The Llanwrda driver and his Limerick co-driver Sean Mullally were first to open proceedings, however, Mel started the rally with severe back pain which nearly prevented him from making the start and also contributed to the Allsports Logistics Subaru Impreza World Rally Car stalling on the start line of stage one. The pair settling for second fastest time over the opening test.
Melvyn and Sean then set fastest times on the next two tests, despite a spin on the latter which cost valuable seconds, but arriving at service with a seven second lead.
Mark Morgan from Neath and his Aberdare co-driver Tony Fisher started cautiously over the slippery first stage, then set a blistering time over the next stage in their Pacific Nutrition and Wyn Thomas Plumbing & Heating backed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII only bettered by team colleagues Evans & Mullally.
Disaster struck over the longer third stage, Morgan & Fisher nearing the end of the stage were catching the car in front of them and were victims of the spray thrown up making visibility even more treacherous.
"We were pushing hard and feeling confident with the car and especially the tyres, everything was working really well. As we were approaching the end of the stage, I just cut a corner a little too much which threw us sideways and ended up on the grass. We spun several times and were extremely lucky not to hit anything. Unfortunately, we were too far off the road and could not get back up to it and ended our rally there." explained Mark.
"It is a shame really, as everything felt good inside the car and were certainly on the pace. Once the car was recovered, the only damage suffered was a dented boot." added Tony.
Evans & Mullally continued to dominate the rally setting a total of ten fastest stage times and had extended their lead to 3 minutes & 28 seconds, with the final stage cancelled due to weather conditions getting worse, making driving extremely dangerous.
"We were lucky to get away with a huge moment on stage 13, we had a big spin and ended up on the grass and hitting a bale before we eventually stopped, which cost some time on that and the next stage with some minor damage."
On returning to the Llandovery finish, Melvyn was asked to attend post event scrutineering where he was required to provide a fuel sample. The officials were unable to extract fuel from the car not having the correct coupling available to complete the task and therefore Melvyn & Sean along with several other front runners were excluded from the rally as a result.
"We were happy for the organisers to take the fuel, but without the correct coupling it is near impossible to remove fuel from the pressurised system. It is bitterly disappointing to end what has been extremely difficult day with the conditions and to be excluded over such a technical infringement is so frustrating."
Mel and Sean will now contest the 2007 Quality Hotel West Cork Rally, which takes place in Clonakilty on 17th/18th March. The next planned event for the Kumho Motorsport Team should be the Manx in May.
