Matador Welsh Rally Preview

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April 26, 2005 in Motorsport

Matador Welsh Rally Preview

CHALLENGING TIME FOR ALL ON MADADOR WELSH RALLY

This years Matador Welsh International Rally gets underway on Saturday 30th April 2005, with 45 stage miles on gravel rallying before the event then turns to asphalt for the remaining competitive mileage of the two day event over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

The forestry section of the rally on gravel has tested the worlds best over the past few years, as all the roads making up the route of the Matador Welsh International Rally are also used on the Wales Rally of Great Britain, the British round of the World Rally Championship.

While the forestry section plays host to the Subaru Challenge, Millers Oils Welsh Clubman's championships and the Peugeot 206 1400 Challenge, the start list will be headed by Graham Middleton in a Hyundai Coupe, the 2004 BTRDA Champion will be keen to keep his son firmly in his tracks. Craig Middleton will be looking to use the additional horsepower under his Hyundai Accent World Rally Car to upstage his dad over the Mid and South Wales forests.

Following the Middleton's and with plans of their own for victory will be former National Champion David Mann. The Suffolk driver will be followed by fellow Subaru driver, Damian Cole. Dave Jenkins will pilot his Escort WR Car ahead of the Mitsubishi of Owain Beman.

Subaru's of Bambus Charlambous, Nick Kenny and Huw Jeffries round off the top ten apart from the Escort Cosworth of Andrew Graham slotted in at ninth spot.

The tarmac section will be headed by competitors from the Armajaro British Historic Rally Championship. The top ten has eight Ford Escort's, a Datsun 240Z and a Sunbeam Tiger. These cars are always immaculately presented and always a pleasure to watch with their tail happy driving style.

Ray Bellm (Escort) heads the start list, followed by David Stokes (Escort). Datsun man Dominic Frattarolli separates further Escorts of Jeremy Easson and Gareth Lloyd. Patrick Watts (Sunbeam Tiger) has a host of Escorts behind him piloted by Martin Freestone, Bob Gibbons, Rikki Proffitt and Graham Samuel.

The remaining contenders in the tarmac section will be contesting the Welsh National Tarmacadam, JAM Motorsport Heart of England Championships and the Rallysport Challenge. Sunday will also play host to round two of the Subaru Challenge and the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Championship.

Peter Lloyd leads the field away in his Subaru, followed by Middleton junior in the Hyundai. Damian Cole and Bob Fowden are next in their Subaru's. John Bogie is the first of two Metro 6R4's separated by the Subaru's of David Turnbull and Lyndon Barton, before the next Metro of Paul Cooper. The rear wheel drive Peugeot of Les Skeet is followed by Owain Beman and his Mitsubishi.

This years rally will provide competitors and the volunteer marshals with music and food in the form of a massive Hog Roast on the Epynt mountain ranges, the event will also mark the end of the gravel rally and awards will also be presented. Unfortunately this social event is not open to spectators.

The rally starts from Llandrindod Wells on Saturday morning with the gravel section going through stages in Mid and South Wales, the action can be seen twice at both of the following spectator access points.

SS1 Crychan l (9.04am) & 2 (13.40) entry to forest at 160/848410 No Access through Tirabad Village

SS2 Walters 1 (10.19am) & 2 (12.08) Access off A4109 enter Walters at 160/886090

The only access to the tarmac stages of the rally on the Epynt Military Ranges is via the Dual Carriageway off the A40 at Llywel 160/874363. The action starts here from 12.57 on Saturday and again from 9.15 on Sunday.

Forestry Top Ten:

Graham Middleton John Morgan Hyundai Coupe

Craig Middleton Robin Hernaman Hyundai WRC

David Mann Alun Cook Subaru WRC

Damian Cole Paul Willetts Subaru WRC

Dave Jenkins Graham Cox Escort WRC

Owain Beaman Stuart Powell Misubishi Evo6

Bambus Charlambous Mark Crisp Subaru

Nick Kenny Gary Kenny Subaru

Andrew Graham Peter Brennan Escort Cosworth

Huw Jeffries Avarina Connor Subaru

Tarmacadam Top Ten: