Round 1: Tour of Epynt, 10 March

Steve Simpson and Patrick Walsh won the season-opening Tour of Epynt by the narrowest of margins after setting the same overall time as defending champion Damian Cole and his co-driver Craig Drew.

Cole had entered the final stage 24 seconds in arrears but managed to cancel the deficit entirely. However with the two crews tied, Simpson was declared the winner on tie-break, having set the fastest time on the opening stage.

Completing the podium on only his second visit to the Epynt Ranges was Paul Bird and his navigator Aled Davies, who finished half a minute behind the top two crews. The first two-wheel-drive car home was the Ford Escort MkII of Simon Mauger and Brian Cammack.

Results 1 Steve Simpson / Patrick Walsh (Subaru Impreza WRC) 1h04m56s2 Damian Cole / Craig Drew (Ford Focus WRC) 1h04m56s3 Paul Bird / Aled Davies (Ford Focus WRC) 1h05m29s

Provisional championship standings1 Steve Simpson30 points2 Damian Cole283 Paul Bird274 Simon Mauger265 John Indri25