Nicky Grist gives a personal insight into this year’s ‘super-smooth’ Nicky Grist Stages forest rally route

This year’s Nicky Grist Stages (Saturday 13 July) is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of title sponsorship support from Nicky Grist Motorsports – and the man himself has been a vital component in the event’s success over the years, both in terms of backing and his invaluable guidance on planning the route and timetable from a competitor’s point of view.

And Nicky says that this year’s Quinton MC-organised event, which contains eight stages (four repeated) totalling 43 stage miles in the classic Mid-Wales forest stages in the Carmarthenshire-Powys border area, will be one of the best – as the stages are in super-smooth condition.

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North Road Garage provides state-of-the-art scrutineering facilities for the Nicky Grist Stages

North Road Garage, a company synonymous with both the motor industry in Mid-Wales and with national rallying, will provide state-of-the-art scrutineering facilities for this year’s Nicky Grist Stages – which takes place on Saturday 13 July.

The Toyota dealership, which is situated in a prime position on the A470/A483 roundabout on the outskirts of Builth Wells, has very kindly offered its pristine workshop for the event’s technical and safety checks, which will be carried out on the eve of the rally (on the afternoon of Friday 12 July).

Nicky Grist Stages entries open, as 43 stage mile BTRDA and Welsh Championship event route is revealed

Entries are now open for the Nicky Grist Stages (Saturday 13 July) – with the official event Regulations and Entry Forms published on-line at nickygriststages.co.uk

Nicky Grist Stages moves to the centre of Builth Wells

This year’s Nicky Grist Stages (Saturday 13 July) will move into the centre of Builth Wells, with the Rally Headquarters located at the fully renovated Strand Hall on Strand Street and the Service Area based at the Builth Wells RFC at Groe Park, a stone’s throw away from the town’s main high street.

Secure second for Faulkner

More sun and soaring temperatures greeted the crews as they assembled on Saturday morning for the Nicky Grist Stages Rally. Starting from the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, the rally used classic stages such as Halfway, Route 60 and Crychan forming part of a revamped route for 2018. A brand new stage, Llyn Login, would bring a fresh challenge as the first stage of the event, one that Scott was really looking forward to.

Bilham impresses on Fiesta R2 debut

Sam Bilham made the most out of a fantastic opportunity by securing second in class R2/B10 and 24th overall at last weekend’s Nicky Grist Stages (14th July) behind the wheel of the Greenlight Sports and Entertainment Ford Fiesta R2.

The Yorkshireman was offered the opportunity to pilot the front-running machine in a one-off drive on round six of the BTRDA Rally Series in Builth Wells, Wales. Bilham didn’t disappoint his backers and along with co-driver Graham Wild returning to the passenger seat, stormed to an impressive podium position on his debut in an R2.

Edwards wins closely fought Nicky Grist Stages

Matt Edwards and co-driver Darren Garrod won a very closely fought Nicky Grist Stages in their Swift Group Ford Fiesta R5, after turning a two second deficit at halfway into a 58 second winning margin at the finish. Victory on the Quinton MC organised event sees them take the lead of the Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA Rally Series.

Llewellin impresses on senior rally debut

Reigning MSA Junior Rallycross champion Tom Llewellin contested his first senior gravel rally event at the weekend and came away with a superb fourth place in class on the Nicky Grist Stages Rally.

Up against some of the best competitors in the country who were contesting round six of the Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA Rally Series 2018, the event comprised some classic Welsh forests including Crychan and Halfway, with the dry conditions making dust a major factor.

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.

Over 120 BTRDA and Welsh Rally crews head to Builth Wells for this Saturday’s Nicky Grist Stages

Over 120 crews will contest this Saturday’s Nicky Grist Stages (14 July), with the very best competitors from the Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA Rally Series, Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship, MAXXIS MSA English Rally Championship, MRF Fiesta ST Trophy, FMP Rally Challenge and the Swift Shining Stars Rally Series battling it out over 45 classic Welsh forestry stage miles on the Carmarthenshire and Powys border.