Builth Wells driver Eian Pritchard emerged victorious from the Matador Tyres Welsh International Rally - National B Asphalt Rally. Competing over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, the two day rally took place on the Epynt Military Ranges in Mid Wales. The smooth asphalt tests would bask in glorious sunshine over the first day, with a cooler but dry occasion for competitors on Sunday.
Eventual victor Pritchard struggled with minor problems over the opening day's six special stages with ECU problems on his ex - Jon Ingram Subaru Impreza World Rally Car. Partnered by Brecon man Martin Leonard, who stepped into the co-driver seat at the last minute, the pair set top three times throughout to end the first day just two second adrift of overnight leaders, fellow Subaru driver Peter Lloyd and Graham Handley.
Pritchard started the second day with an improved car and ended the opening test with a gap of just 100th of a second off Lloyd's lead. The pair shared the lead over the next three stages, then Pritchard pulled out a slender lead over the South Wales driver which he maintained to the end of the rally. At the end of the rally he commented on his rally rival.
"We have had a better day today and really had a good battle with Peter (Lloyd). To end the rally with just 8.2 seconds separating us is credit to Peter's commitment today, he was on a mission. It also shows how committed we are on these events, pushing the car as fast as possible over some very fast stages."
The six hour journey from Dumfries in Scotland proved fruitful for John Bogie and David Patterson in their Metro 6R4. The Scottish pair setting four fastest times over the 18 stages.
"Not bad for an old man in and old car. We lose out with top end speed with the Metro to the World cars and sometimes we back off over the crests when you can keep them flat. Its just getting the courage for that over Epynt."
Fourth overall and taking "Spirit of the Rally" award was Damian Cole. The Hereford driver, partnered by Epynt virgin Ian Allsop completed the gravel event in fifth place before changing to tarmac suspension on his Subaru Impreza WRC.
"We have been a lot more competitive today(Sunday). Happy to finish both events this weekend inside the top five on each rally, collecting my first gravel award and giving Ian a high speed tour of the ranges."
David Turnbull and Ken Bills completed the top five in their Subaru, despite the car jumping out of gear on the second day.
Sixth and first in Group N was Robert Tout and Dan Holley in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII. Lyndon Barton/ Phil Peak (Subaru), Les Skeet/ Ian Meakin (205 RWD), Paul Cooper/ Roger Mallalieu (6R4) and Andrew Williams/ Patrick Walsh (Starlet) finished seventh to tenth respectively.
Skeet claimed the first two wheel drive home after clutch problems and starter problems over the two days.
Peter Hughes and Chris Evans lost out on tenth spot by just 200th of a second after losing fourth gear in their Escort at the end of day one.
Top Ten Result
1 Eian Pritchard Martin Leonard Subaru WRC 1:41:59.9
2 Peter Lloyd Graham Handley Subaru WRC 1:42:08.0
3 John Bogie David Patterson Metro 6R4 1:42:47.9
4 Damian Cole Ian Allsop Subaru WRC 1:43:12.7
5 David Turnbull Ken Bills Subaru WRC 1:44:20.4
6 Robert Tout Dan Holley Mitsubishi Evo VIII 1:48:29.7
7 Lyndon Barton Phil Peak Subaru Impreza 1:48:43.2
8 Les Skeet Ian Meakin Peugeot 205 RWD 1:52:18.8
9 Paul Cooper Roger Mallalieu Metro 6R4 1:51:48.1
10 Andrew Williams Patrick Walsh Toyota Starlet 1:51:59.4
