Ludlow members headed to Llandudno for the 68th running of the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally.
Simon Rogers / James How – 10th overall and 3rd in class
On what would be Simon’s first outing on the Cambrian since 2018, the crew started with an exceptionally slippy run through Elsi with a few scares but kept it neat and mostly in the middle of the road. The next two stages were treated with caution, and the traffic jam through Llanwrst did not add much to the day! After softening the car at service the pair set off for the afternoon loop and with the second run through Elsi cancelled, headed straight for the 13 miler through Brenig to finish with Simon reporting the car going much better for the setup change and enjoying the longer stage. Simon now lies 2nd overall in the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh rally Championship and, after deciding not to chase nearest rivals Martyn Andrews and Steve Greenhill on this round, is all set for the final showdown on the Wyedean Stages in November. Simon says: “Hats off to Russ Thompson and Steve Link who showed their talent taking their blue Evo to the top step of the podium, an amazing result in a field stacked with R5 machines.”
Colin Griffiths / Marc Morgan – 54th overall and 7th in class
Colin also reported a very slippy and technical first stage, but the crew got through albeit at was described as a terrible pace! Just a damaged back door and wheel arch sustained on stage one but lucky as they nearly went down a big hole off the road. A combination of the wrong tyres and no boost caused by a split in the manifold made the car difficult to drive all day. An unfortunate 10 minute penalty given on stage two for going wrong side of a bale at a chicane! Colin reported a clean run on the rest of the days stages and enjoying them all, catching a car on the last stage where concentration was nearly lost and almost being caught out on a square left – luckily not losing any time! Colin felt that he and Marc did a good job but the car let them down on the day.
Gareth Bevan / Dan Petrie – 25th overall and 2nd in class
The Cambrian was Gareth’s first time on gravel and Dan reports the pair got quicker throughout the day despite some tricky conditions in the stages to finish well in the historic spec MkII Escort. Dan would like to thank Gareth James and Phil Bevan for servicing.
Dave Brick / Freddy Brick - Finished 21st overall and 2nd in class in their Vauxhall Nova
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