Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally ChampionshipPreview, round six
Fresh from the closed public roads of the Isle of Man, contenders in the Dunlop/Gambia MSA British Historic Rally Championship will head for another asphalt challenge over the Epynt ranges on the Harry Flatters Historic Rally (2/3 August).With the Epynt event marking round six of the eight-event schedule, the title contest is building up for a tremendous finale and the major players will all be pushing hard on the daunting roads, high in the Brecon Beacons.Category 1After radiator dramas on the Isle of Man, Patrick Watts and Elgan Davies need a strong finish to keep their title bid running on the Harry Flatters. Their Sunbeam Tiger should be the car to beat, although Epynt punishes the brakes on the Tiger and chasing hard will be Dessie Nutt and Geraldine McBride in their Porsche 911.While the pair of sports cars battle for category 1, the Lotus Cortina of Jonathan and Graham Gale will not be far behind and will set a fierce pace in class B4 against the similar car of Neil Calvert/Arlene Cookson.In the 1300cc category, class B2, James Stait and Gill Cotton are having a great season in their MG Midget, despite an unfortunate off on the Isle of Man. They will fly over Epynt providing repairs to the Midget are completed in time, while class B1 is topped by the Sunbeam Imp of Gary and Jane Edgington. They also had a great run on the Isle of Man, but will need to have completed some engine work before heading for Epynt.Category 2Category two is for the cars produced from 1968 to 1974 and Steven Smith and John Nichols head the key title contenders in their Porsche 911RS. Another maximum score would give them a very strong championship position, but they face a mighty gaggle of Escorts, as well as the Porsche 911s of Peter Lythell/Chris Parsons and Irish veteran Derek Boyd, on what could be his first attempt on Epynt.
In Escorts in class C5 will be defending champions David Stokes and Guy Weaver, as well as Ernie Graham/Robin Kellard, Epynt virgin Frank Cunningham co-driven by Epynt veteran Ryland James and Rupert Lomax/David Alcock.The contest in class C3 is likely to be one of the best of the rally, with a gaggle of very quick Escorts. Ken Forster/John Stanger-Leathes have a race against time to repair their car after an accident on the Isle of Man, while local aces Bob Gibbons and Neal James will be very rapid in their Escorts. Tim Jones/Don James are always quick, but lack experience of the venue, while Isle of Man based Conor Corkill could be a dark horse and Drew Wylie has proven pace, along with Peter Smith and Andrew Siddall in two more cars from XS Racing.Category 3Category three is for the most recent cars, those produced between 1975 and 1981, and is home to the Ford Escort Mk2s. Two of the quickest cars will be those of Richard Hill/Patrick Cooper and Darren Moon/John McNichol, but neither driver has ever been to Epynt before, so they face a steep learning curve when the rally starts on Saturday afternoon. Conversely, Simon Tysoe and Rob Dyson have accumulated some good Epynt experience in recent times and could go very well. Phil and Mick Squires did the event for the first time a year ago and really enjoyed it, so they will be pushing for a good result this time around. Chasing the Escort pack in class D5 will be the Sunbeam Lotus of Adrian and Dan Seabridge and the Vauxhall Chevette of Roger Kilty/Lynette Banks.
The contest for class D3, the 2-litre Pinto powered Escorts, is set to be a straight fight between Will Onions/Tim Hobbs and Arwel Evans/Arwel Jenkins.However, two more major names should be confirmed on the entry list and both are potential overall winners, running either Mk1 or Mk2 Escorts. Mark Solloway is the fastest man over Epynt in historic cars, while Terry Brown has experience to spare. If they do both start the rally, they will be at the very head of the contest.The SGC Printing Harry Flatters Historic Stages is organised by Brecon Motor Club. For more details about the event, please visit the website at: breconmotorclub.co.uk
