Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear took a hattrick of victories at the Get Jerky Rally North Wales on Saturday [25 March] taking their Ford Fiesta R5 to a sensational win by over two minutes from their nearest rival.
Hirst set the fastest time on all but one of the eight tricky forest stages to dominate the event and kick off his defence of the Welsh Rally Championship title in fine style. Read More »
It was great to be back in the Forest of Dean and it was Matthew Hirst & Declan Dear (Fiesta R5) who dominated the event. They took 6 out of the 7 fastest stage times to take victory by 47s. Robert Wilson & Martin Haggett (Evo VII) were 2nd overall and took the only other fastest stage time. Nik Elsmore & Rob Fagg (Evo IX) took the final podium place. Michael McDaid & Declan Casey (Escort MkII) were 6th overall and the 1st 2WD crew. Tim Freeman & Cliff Simmons (Escort MkII) were 10th overall and over a minute further back. Ben & Steve Smith (Escort MkI) were 3rd 2WD crew, 12th overall and the first Historic crew home. Read More »
After recent clashes with the Manx National it was good to get back out on the Plains again and it gave us the opportunity to visit the Llangower stage for the first time too. Matthew Hirst & Declan Dear (Fiesta R5) were in a tight battle with David Henderson & Chris Lees (Fiesta R5). The battle switched almost every stage with Hirst leading by 3s into service. The gap was down to 1s after 7 stages but stage 8 saw Henderson retire and Hirst took a comfortable victory by almost a minute and a half. James Giddings & Aled Davies (Evo IX) were 2nd with Bob Morgan & Adie Williams (Fabia R5) completing the podium. Read More »
Matthew Hirst and Declan Dear recorded a sensational victory at Saturday’s Rallynuts Stages Rally [9 April] as the pairing stormed to an impressive four fastest times from six stages in their Ford Fiesta R5.
The pairing, fresh from a win at Rally North Wales just a fortnight ago returned a scintillating performance, opening a whopping 15 second lead on the initial Myherin stage and were never headed, taking arguably their most important win to date. Read More »
Less than 6 months after the last Rallynuts Stages Rally, the MRF Tyres BTRDA Championship were back in mid-Wales. Matthew Hirst & Declan Dear (Fiesta R5) set a superb time through the opening stage, 15s faster than 2021 rally winners Elliot Payne & Patrick Walsh (Fiesta Rally2). This was followed by another stage win through Hafren to take a 23s lead into service. Ian Bainbridge & Tom Woodburn (Fabia R5) were fastest on stage 3 to snatch 2nd place from Payne. Hirst followed up with two more stage wins from the repeat runs of the three stages to take victory by 31s. Read More »
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. Read More »
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. Read More »
Local hero Osian Pryce secured a start-to-finish National A victory whilst Matthew Hirst enjoyed his maiden rally win in the National B category, at Saturday’s North Wales Rally Services – Rally North Wales (30th March) in Dolgellau.
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