After two gravel events, the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship moves to the daunting tarmac stages of the Epynt ranges for round three, the International Welsh Rally over the weekend of 1/2 May.To date, the same crews have taken maximum points on the Robin Hood and Astra Stages, as Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride (Porsche 911) and Ray Bellm/Marc Jones (Escort Mk1) have both taken double wins. Given the fact that both crews are tarmac experts, it could become hat-trick time on Epynt, but there are plenty of crews determined to prevent that happening.The cars in the BHRC are split into the historics from the pre '67 era (category 1) and the post-historics from '68 to '74 (category 2). Both categories are incredibly hard fought, with a raft of drivers challenging for class and overall honours.Historic (category 1)Nutt/McBride will head to Brecon as the crew to beat in the historics. The familiar yellow Porsche 911 of the Irish driver was comprehensively rebuilt over the winter and Dessie has duly taken a brace of wins. But Nutt will need little reminding of the 2003 Epynt event when his challenge failed with his gearbox on the start line of SS1. "It was 5-4-3-2-1-GO and we went about six feet! I'm looking forward to it, but we need to finish this time."Notable amongst Nutt's rivals is former BTCC racer Patrick Watts who will take his Sunbeam Tiger to Epynt for the first time, and Porsche crews Howard Bellm/tba, Mike Smith/Keith Fellowes and Dave Preece/Rowland Prentice. The other historic classes include the prospect of a battle between the Lotus Elan of David Holroyd/David Gibson and the Triumph TR4 of David Liddell going head to head with the Lotus Cortina pack, which will be headed by Chris and Hilary Green. The regular Ford Cortina GT contest will head class B3, with Jonathan Gale/Graham Gale up against Ronnie Roughead/Ian Canavan, but a real dark horse for a strong overall performance in the historics will be the class B2 MG Midget of James Stait. What the car gives away to the Porsches on power, Stait will endeavour to regain with some attacking driving.Post-historic (category 2)The post-historics will bring out a gaggle of superb MK1 Escorts, doing battle with Porsche 911s and the Datsun 240Z of Dominic Frattaroli. Bellm/Jones will head to Epynt on a roll, having won both events to date, but they know they face a mighty test if they are to make it three. "It's like a race track on the top of a hill," reckons Bellm of the unique Epynt challenge. Aiming to get his title bid back on track after a very early off on the Astra will be David Stokes. "I love Epynt," says Stokes, who was a winner there as far back as 1978. However, his Welsh co-driver Den Golding has not competed on the ranges for 22 years! "Bellm and Stuart Rolt will do well on Epynt, they're tarmac men," reckons Stokes.Running alongside Bellm/Jones will be two more Mk1 Escorts from Historic Rallysport. Richard Gower/Carl Williamson are strong contenders, while team boss Mark Solloway jumps into the drivers' seat with Mark Crisp on the notes.Heading class C4, Stuart Rolt will be amongst the very quickest post-historic cars in his Porsche 911, while Chris Browne/Liz Jordan have already chalked up some excellent results in their Escort Mk1 since joining the BHRC this season."I've not been to Epynt for a long time," reckons C3 pacesetter Steve Smith. "I did the recce for the 1984 Welsh, but the car broke before we got to Epynt so I've never driven it competitively," he says. Partnered by John Nichols, Smith will still be tough to beat in the class and could pick up a top four overall finish given his pace in the Escort RS2000. The Saab 99 of Andrew Street/Jez Mason will likely lead the chase.The 1600cc class (C2) is all about the Avengers and Escorts, with first blood on the Robin Hood going to the Avenger of Philip Atkinson/Simon Coates over the similar car of Tony Shields/Graham Whitaker. However, John Worthing/John Cadwallader won the class on the Astra in their 1600cc Escort after a great contest with the similar car of Ken Forster/John Stanger-Leathes.The International Welsh Rally is organised by South Wales Automobile Club, Epynt Motor Cub and Forresters Car Club