Round three: Matador International Welsh Historic RallyDavid Stokes/Ian Oakey and Patrick Watts/Elgan Davies were the big winners in round three of the 2005 Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship, the Matador International Welsh Rally on Saturday/Sunday (30 April/1 May).
With around 120 miles over the daunting Epynt ranges, the rally was a real test of man and machine. But superb performances from Stokes and Watts went well rewarded as other contenders hit problems on one of the toughest events on the calendar.Historic (category 1)With his fingers crossed that the brakes on his Sunbeam Tiger would stand up to the demands of Epynt, Watts took an immediate lead in the historic category. Partnered by Elgan Davies, Watts ended Saturday with a lead of 1m20s over the Porsche 911 of Dessie Nutt/Geraldine McBride, as Steve Smith/John Nichols (Porsche 911) chased in third. “It seems narrower this time,” joked Watts of his second visit to Epynt. “We’ve just got to look after the brakes.”
In the classes, James Stait/Stewart Lawson suffered yet another first stage retirement in their class B2 MG Midget, which allowed son and father combo Matt and Dood Pearce to take the class lead in their Mini Cooper. Although this was Matt’s first time driving the Mini on Epynt, he was able to open up an early lead of Mike Barratt/Michelle Calvert. “It’s so quick here,” reckoned Pearce, who was slightly concerned about the health of his gearbox.
In class B4, Chris and Hilary Green set the pace in their Lotus Cortina, but could never relax as the similar car of Philip Atkinson/Gary Wood chased hard.
While Watts consolidated his lead during the dozen, shorter stages on Sunday, Smith and Nutt battled constantly once Smith had recovered some time lost towards the end of Saturday’s stages. When the weary survivors emerged from the final stage, Steps 2, Watts had won by 1m20s after a mighty performance. It was his second victory in two starts this season and has inspired him to try and complete the BHRC season. “We’ll definitely do the Mutiny and hopefully the rest of the events,” he pledged.
Smith/Nichols finally got the upperhand in the battle of the Porsches to take second in the historics, beating Nutt/McBride by just 16s at the conclusion of a fine contest.
The Greens clinched class B4 after Atkinson/Wood posted a late retirement on Sunday afternoon. Peter Quinton/Jon Cadwallader (Ford Cortina Mk2) claimed class B3, while Pearce/Pearce emerged as clear victors in B2.Post-historic (category 2)With Ray Bellm unable to start the event at the last moment, Mark Solloway took over to drive the Escort Mk1 he prepares for Bellm, with Ieuan Thomas co-driving. Solloway was immediately on the attack and set a scorching pace as Saturday afternoon opened with a 15-mile stage across the ranges. He maintained that pace until the penultimate stage of the day when the Escort's engine failed and they were out.Meanwhile, Stokes/Oakey resisted the temptation to go after Solloway, and set their own pace to run strongly on their first event together on Epynt. They took over the lead as crews headed into the final control of Saturday’s leg. Incredibly, second overall behind the Mk1 Escort was the Mini Clubman of Steve Loveridge/Mark Sattin. In his first event in the 1380cc car since 2003, Loveridge was flying on stages that he enjoys.
“I just wanted to have a bit of fun and I’ve done Epynt a couple of times,” explained Loveridge, who spent most of Saturday battling with the Escort Mk1 of Jeremy Easson/Den Golding. Overnight, less than two seconds split them, while Graham Samuel/Tony Phillips were only 11s further back in their Mk1 Escort.Out on the opening stage with gearbox problems went the Datsun 240Z of Dominic Frattaroli/Wyn Thomas, while the following stage claimed the Escort of class C2 front runners John Worthing/Bill Robertson with a blown radiator.
Sunday’s stages claimed two of the top four post-historic crews as distributor dramas put Samuel/Phillips out and the heroic drive from Loveridge/Sattin also ended when they went off heavily on SS16, Steps 1. Thankfully the crew were largely unscathed, but the Mini was wrecked.
Meanwhile, Stokes/Oakey continued to dominate, running at a pace that kept their lead over Easson/Golding building steadily. By the end of 19 demanding stages, they had won by over two minutes to make it two BHRC wins on the trot.
Behind Easson/Golding, a fine third in post-historics and victory in C4 went to Andrew Street and Jez Mason in only the second event in their Porsche 911, while another fine performance from Ken Forster/John Stanger-Leathes netted class C2 spoils for their Escort Mk1. Street was one of the quickest of all as Sunday developed and he built experience of the new car.
On their first BHRC outing of the season, Bob Gibbons/Neil Cook had another strong run over Epynt to win class C3 in their Escort RS2000, finishing well clear of the Escort of Ian Drummond/Tom Ward.
