This may well have been event number three of 2014 for us but this felt like the first event of the year as we returned to the woods for the Red Kite Stages. The Historics were the main focus and the final top two in the event came from this field but it should have been the top three. Nick Elliott & Dave Price (Escort MkII) were leading by almost half a minute going into the final stage but a roll near the end, in wet conditions, saw them exit from the rally. Richard Hill & Pat Cooper were on the first event in their new Escort MkII and had kept Elliott honest all day and were there to pick up the pieces.
Behind them were Terry Brown & Den Golding (Escort MkII) after a near faultless day to take 2nd place and with one eye firmly on the Welsh Historic championship and the WWRS Welsh Challenge. Tomas & Eurig Davies completed an all Escort MkII podium before the much talked about debut in the WWRS RAC championship of the Fiat 131 Abarths due out on the next round, the Mid Wales Stages.
In category 2 Simon Tysoe & Cliffy Simmons (Escort MkI) were victorious by just two seconds and behind them Chris Brown & Ali Cornwell-Browne (Escort MkI) just edged out Roger Matthews & Paul Morris (Escort MkI) on a count back to their respective stage 1 times, as both crews finished level on time. Meanwhile at the head of the field in category 1 we had a count back to stage 1 for the winner, as the impressive Ray Cunningham & Gary McElhinney took a maiden gravel win in their Mini Cooper S from Simon Wallis & Graham Wride (Lotus Cortina).
The modern field saw the top 3 share all 5 stage wins between them and just 20 seconds separating the podium finishers. After setting the pace through the opening pair of stages Nev Jones & Chris Davies (Impreza N14) did enough to win by 14 seconds. Fastest on stage 4 of 5 were Russ Thompson & Andy Murphy to take 2nd in their Evo IX, making the step up with style after campaigning their Clio in the BRC Challenge for the last few years. Completing the top 3 with fastest times on stages 3 & 5 were Roland Llewellin & Jamie Edwards (Evo IX).
90right UK Rallying 