Harry Flatters Rally

High winds and squally rain hit the Epynt ranges for the Harry Flatters and with road conditions changing stage by stage, tyre choice was almost a lottery. Damian Cole & Craig Drew (Fiesta WRC) started as favourites and were expected to win easily but Alex Laffey & Patrick Walsh (Fiesta R5) made them work for it. Fastest stage times were exchanged over the first two loops with Cole leading by just 8 seconds after 6 stages. With the stages reversed Cole blitzed stage 7 taking 14 seconds out of Laffey and despite clawing back 3 seconds over the next 3 stages Cole had more than enough to take victory. Rob Tout & Peredur Davies (Evo X) completed the National B podium over a minute further back.

HSCC – Plashes Farm

After a wonderful days trialing last year at Plashes Farm we had no hesitation about returning in 2018, especially as it is the closed season for modern trials. After weeks of dry weather some rain did fall overnight but the tests were all incredibly dry so the difficulty had to be stepped up to provide a challenge. Once again there was a bumper entry with well over 40 crews starting the event across the historic and post historic classes.

Down Rally

Our first trip to Northern Ireland saw us take in the Down Rally. The stages have featured many times over the years on the Circuit of Ireland and Ulster Rallies, with Hamilton’s Folly being the stand out. Jonny Greer & Kirsty Riddick (DS3 R5) stole a march on the rest by setting some blistering times on the opening loop ahead of David Bogie & John Rowan (Fabia R5) with Desi Henry & Liam Moynihan (Fabia R5) further back after sustaining damage on landing off one of the big jumps. Greer held his lead through the 2nd loop of stages as Henry closed in on Bogie and passed him. Bogie did sneak back ahead but retired before the last loop of stages.

Nicky Grist Stages

With a return to just the BTRDA championship the Nicky Grist Stages still had a BRC feel as Matt Edwards & Darren Garrod (Fiesta R5) took overall victory by almost a minute. Tom Cave & James Morgan (Mirage) were fastest through the first stage and on the final stage (SS4) before service to lead Edwards by 2 seconds. There was nothing to separate the pair on stage 5 before Edwards took the lead after going fastest by 6 seconds on SS6. Edwards continued with two more fastest stage times to beat Cave by 14 seconds. Cave was disqualified though so Luke Francis & John Roberts (Fiesta WRC) took 2nd place with Rory Young & Allan Cathers (Fiesta R5) completing the podium.

Welsh Hill Rally

It was a hot one down at Walters Arena as we took in the Welsh Hill Rally. A capacity field of 50 crews started the event on the Friday night for two short tests. The rally then continued through Saturday and Sunday, (we caught the Saturday stages only). The dusty conditions came as no surprise and with the dust not moving fast, the crews were quickly put on two minute intervals at the stage start. The knock on was stages were lost but the action we saw was good nonetheless.

Enville Stages

Another July trip to the Anglesey circuit saw glorious weather once again. The entry list was down on previous years but that did not mean any less of a battle at the front. Dave Willett & John Davies (Escort MkII) went fastest on the opening stage to take an early lead. On stage 2 Peter Smith & John Millington (Fiesta WRC) were dialled in and went fastest to take the lead, they then continued to extend their lead stage by stage and took a well deserved victory by 32 seconds. John Stone & Jack Morton (Fiesta S2500) had moved up to 2nd overall but Willett kept them honest and after ten stages they were level on time. Willett took 2nd overall thank to a faster time on the opening stage as well as coming home first 2WD crew.