Round three of the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship, the Matador Welsh International Rally on Sat/Sun 30 April/1May, is the first of three asphalt events in the nine-event season for the historic (pre '67) and post-historic (pre '75) cars. For all of the crews, the unique challenge of Epynt makes this a tough event and one where just getting to the finish on Sunday afternoon is an achievement.Historic (category 1)Three crews will surely set the pace in the historic category, with the Porsche 911s of Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride and Steven Smith/John Nichols going head to head with the Sunbeam Tiger of Patrick Watts/Elgan Davies. Nutt is the defending champion and has the most experience on asphalt stages, but Watts won the Robin Hood and Smith won the Astra Stages as the season started with two gravel events. This weekend's battle promises to be a highlight of the rally and there could be very little to choose between them. Heading Class B4 are the Lotus Cortinas of Chris and Hilary Green and Philip Atkinson/Gary Wood, while a great battle is likely in B2 as James Stait/Stewart Lawson (MG Midget) and Mike Barratt/Michelle Calvert (Mini Cooper S) try to stop Matthew and Dood Pearce (Mini Cooper S) making it three wins from three events.Post-historic (category 2)A year ago, Dominic Frattaroli/Wyn Thomas were on target for post-historic victory when a driveshaft failure pitched their Datsun 240Z off the road. This year, they will be determined to score a top result and maintain their tremendous form of the opening events.Taking the fight to the Datsun will be the Escorts of David Stokes/Ian Oakey, Ray Bellm/Mark Solloway and Jeremy Easson/Den Golding. However, Easson is new to Epynt, so he faces a big learning curve!The Escorts of John Worthing/Bill Robertson and Ken Forster/John Stanger-Leathes are setting the C2 pace for the 1600cc cars and the score is currently one win all in 2005!The Matador Welsh International Rally is organised by South Wales Automobile Club, Forresters Car Club and Epynt Motor Club. For more details about the event, please visit the website at: welshinternationalrally.com

The historic rally starts from Llandrindod Wells at 11am on Saturday