The Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship returns to gravel for round four, the Mutiny Rally on Saturday 5 June. Always one of the most popular events on the calendar, the Mutiny takes in some of the classic stages in mid-Wales including several from the Wales Rally GB.
To date, the same crews have taken maximum points on all three opening event, as Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride (Porsche 911) and Ray Bellm/Marc Jones (Escort Mk1) have completed impressive hat-tricks. However, both crews face major challenges on the Mutiny.
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 face several different challenges in their bid for the BHRC crown. Running right behind them on the road in Wales will be Francis Tuthill/Nick Kennedy in a similar Porsche 911, but Tuthill will recall that his last attempt at this event ended in a major shunt. Equally, if dust is once more a factor, Nutt will benefit from a clear road.
But the biggest threat to Nutt could prove to be former BTCC racer Patrick Watts who is rapidly coming to terms with his Sunbeam Tiger. Having set stunning times on the tarmac of Epynt, this will be Watts' first taste of Welsh forests and he is likely to fly.
However, third on the road will be Drexel Gillespie/Gill Cotton in their Mk2 Lotus Cortina. The Mutiny is one of the Irishman's favourite rallies and he will be battling hard with the Mk1 Cortinas of Chris Green/Hilary Green and Neil Calvert/Michelle Calvert for class honours.
Another dark horse will be the incredibly rapid MG Midget of James Stait/Marcus Cartwright, which will start favourite for class B2 as well as challenging for overall historic honours. David Foster/Terry March (Mini Cooper S) will lead the class challenge to Stait.
Meanwhile, the class B3 contest has been invariably fierce and that is likely to continue on the Mutiny as Jonathan Gale/Graham Gale take on Ronnie Roughead/Ian Canavan in the Ford Cortina GT battle. In class B1 the Hillman Imp of Rob Pilcher/Roger Burkill should have the pace to see off the Saab 96s.
Post-historic (category 2)
The fortunes of the leading two seeds in the post-historic category could not be more contrasting. Ernie Graham and Robin Kellard have two non-finishes to their credit in the BHRC this year, both of them coming on the last stage of the rally! In contrast, Ray Bellm and Marc Jones have won three times on the trot.
Graham, however, will head to the Mutiny fresh from winning round three of the HRCR Classic Challenge on the Red Dragon in a hired Escort. He is due back in his own Mk1 for the Mutiny and will be all out to repeat his 2003 victory.
Despite his championship lead, Bellm reckons that Richard Gower will be the man to beat on the Mutiny. "I doubt that we'll win four on the trot," says Bellm. "Richard is the fastest man out there," he says of his team mate at Historic Rallysport. Gower has hit misfortune on all three events to date but is aiming for a clear run on the Mutiny. "I love the gravel and the Mutiny is a great event," says Gower.
However, in turn, Gower is tipping David Stokes as the man to beat. Stokes' season has not gone well so far, with early retirements on the last two events. "Stokes will be the big rival on the Mutiny," predicts Gower. Partnered by Den Golding, Stokes will be even more determined to chalk up a top result and will surely fly.
If bad luck won championships, Dominic Frattaroli would be unbeatable in his Datsun 240Z. Three non-finishes to date have tried his patience sorely, but Frattaroli clearly has the pace to win if only good fortune would pay him a visit. Another crews set to bounce back after an off on Epynt are Stuart Rolt and Kevin Devine (Porsche 911).
Steven Smith and John Nichols will set the pace in class C3 in their Escort RS2000, but impressive newcomers James Young/David Young (Escort RS2000) and Andrew Street/Jez Mason (Saab 99) will give spirited chase.
Finally, the 1600cc class (C2) will again pit the Hillman Avengers against the Escorts. The Avengers are headed by Philip Atkinson/Gary Wood and Tony Shields/Matthew Whattam, while leading the Escorts away will be Ken Forster/John Stanger-Leathes and John Worthing/John Cadwallader.
The Mutiny Rally is organised by Midland Manor Motor Club and Ludlow Castle Motor Club and for more details about the event, please visit the website at: mutinyrally.co.uk
