Plans progress for Jim Clark Rally return

The Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally will blast back into action in 2022 after a two-year hiatus and the Duns based event is preparing to host some of the best drivers in the UK this spring [27-29 May].

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Edwards and Hirst claim Rally North Wales wins

Reigning British Rally champion Matt Edwards stormed to a scintillating National win at Saturday’s WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales [26 March], whilst Matt Hirst made it back-to-back Interclub victories after a gruelling day in the forests surrounding the Dolgellau rally base.

Edwards, from Conwy and co-driver Hamish Campbell blasted their FIAT 131 Abarth to a nail-biting Historic category win in the National Rally whilst Hirst and co-driver Declan Dear sealed their second Interclub win in a row at Rally North Wales, taking their Ford Fiesta R5 to six fastest times in a fine display during what would be a difficult day of competition for many crews.

Edwards wades in with BHRC glory at Rally North Wales

Three-time British Rally champion Matt Edwards stamped his name in the history books on Saturday [26 March] with victory at round two of the Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship, the WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales.

After a record breaking hattrick of back-to back BRC titles, Edwards would continue his winning ways by taking the Rally Sport Developments FIAT 131 Abarth to its first ever British Historic Rally Championship victory and the first non-Ford win since 2009 in the series.

Rally North Wales

Superb weather bathed the country and Rally North Wales was set for a dusty 8 stages, in the Dyfi Forestry complex. Overall it was Matthew Hirst & Declan Dear (Fiesta R5) who took victory by 24s from Dylan Davies & Mark Glennerster (Fabia R5). James Williams & Jamie Edwards (i20 R5) were fastest through the opening stage but went off on stage 2, so Hirst took 6 of the remaining 7 stages on his way to victory. Tom Llewellin & Dale Bowen (Mirage R5) completed the podium, just over a minute further back.

Skills and passions shared as the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery+, returns

– Show welcomed 25,221 attendees over the three days
– 152 Classic Motoring clubs in attendance
– Winners included VW Golf Cabriolet, Opel Manta and a Jowett Bradford
– Over £30,000 raised for charitable causes

The Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with discovery+, returned to Birmingham’s NEC after a two-year absence much to the delight of the classic motoring clubs and enthusiasts.

Some 25,221 attendees (28,846 in 2019) enjoyed live working and demonstrations from the 152 car clubs exhibiting as well as over 1,000 display vehicles ranging from barn finds to concour standard.

British Historic Rally Championship steps up a gear at Rally North Wales

The Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship will see a feverish battle for maximum points this weekend, as a sensational line up of top-flight crews head for the second round of the season, the WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales [26 March].

After a trail blazing opening round in his home Yorkshire forests, Matthew Robinson was in a league of his own, winning each one of the Riponian stages to kick his season off in fine style behind the wheel of his Ford Escort MKII. But the world-class stages in Wales will echo to the sound of a sensational entry, all aiming to usurp Robinson and co-driver Sam Collis’ round one dominance.

Rally North Wales set for sensational entry

The WKD Trained Dogs Rally North Wales returns after a two-year hiatus this weekend [Saturday 26 March], boasting a bumper and star-studded entry for the Dolgellau based event.

Organised by Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club, Rally North Wales will see around 160 cars tackle eight stages in the Dyfi, Gartheiniog and Pantperthog forests as an impressive line-up of competitors head to the market town for the annual event.

AGBO Stages

It was over to Weston Park to complete a tarmac rally filled weekend. Huw James & Ian Jones (Escort MkII) blasted into an early lead, going fastest through the opening 6 stages. With stage 8 cancelled they had enough in hand and took victory by 25s from Oliver Davies & Ben Innes (Escort MkII). They had been in an event long battle for 2nd place with Gary Thomas & Ben Ruff (Escort MkII) and came out on top by jusy 2s. Seeded at car 31, Steve Chaney-North & John Pickvance (Escort MkII) finished a superb 4th overall with Aled Wyn Morgans & Mark Rodway (Escort MkII) completed the top 5.

Top five for Bird on North West Stages debut

Two months after sweeping to victory on the MGJ Engineering Brands Hatch Winter Stages Rally and following a successful ALMS GT campaign in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Cumbrian driver Frank Bird was back in action when he contested the Legend Fires North West Stages Rally and came away with an impressive top five finish.

North West Stages

After an absence of two years, with the 2020 being one of the first events to go as we entered lockdown, it was great to be on the closed roads of Lancashire. A bumper crowd greeted the crews for the ceremonial start in Garstang and there was a good number of spectators on the stages too. Chris Ingram & Craig Drew (Fabia Rally2 Evo) were seeded number 1 and went on to set 11 fastest stage times, out of the 13 stages that ran. Ingram took victory by 52s from a hard charging Paul MacKinnon & Paul Beaton (Fiesta Rally2) with Mark Kelly & Neil Colman (Fiesta R5) 16s back in third place overall.