Photo courtesy of Mike Frayne
For the full list of current positions following Round 8 – The Trackrod Rally Yorkshire – click here.
Colin Evans in his road rally specification BMW still holds a strong lead in the Drivers category despite missing the Woodpecker to prepare for his run on the Rali Ceredigion. Machynlleth’s Hywel Davies lies second closely followed by Ammanford Motor Club member Huw Jeffreys. Hereford’s Dan Evans holds a slim co-drivers lead going into the next round, the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire after a second in class alongside Dylan Fowler-Bishop. The customary tussle between them and husband and wife crew Nigel and Kaz Jenkins this time ending in the latter’s favour.
Fowler-Bishop has taken the Celtic Micra Challenge lead with Dominic Hodge lying second in a one litre version, despite having to compete in the 1400cc Class. His co-driver Brian Cammack holds the current CMC lead.
For the full list of current positions click here.
Photos courtesty of Andrew Scott.
Nigel and Karen Jenkins
Huw and Avarina Jeffreys
Hywel Davies and Sion Rowlands
The ‘Two Seats’ Gains Popularity
More Contenders than ever have both driven and co-driven this year and are competing for the RJD Motor Services Two Seats Trophy. Two class victories in the co-driver’s seat sees Arwel Jenkins in the lead ahead of Lucy Wilding.
Looking Ahead
A Date For Your Diary
The TCS Plant Rally Challenge / Celtic Micra Challenge / Maesteg DMC Awards Night will take place on Saturday 14th February. This Valentines Day ‘romantic meal for 80’ has been arranged so as not to clash with the Riponian Rally, the Snetterton Stages, the ANWCC Presentation Dinner and the Race Retro Show.
The Pace Hot’s Up at Castle Combe
With the running of a Rally not taking place in Castle Combe since the RAC in the early 80’s, last years event was very much a learning curve yet still had the accolade of being voted best ASWMC Stage Rally of the Year. Clerk of the Course, Dave Whittock, who will be remembered amongst the older of us as Co-Driver for Per Eklund, has promised fewer and more open chicanes which will allow far higher average speeds than on its first running, plus the extra challenge of some stages in darkness. Regulations are due to be released around September 13th with priority entries available to Challenge Contenders. The event is to be sponsored by Dave Appleby Engineering.
BIG Plans for the Hills Ford Stages.
Following the cancellation of this year’s rally through circumstances beyond the control of the Organisers, plans are already underway for what is promised to be a very exciting addition to the closed road event next year. A spokesperson has told us to expect a major announcement by the end of September. Cheltenham MC has accepted our invitation to allow us to consider its inclusion in 2026.
Pictured above Thomas Cooper and Sarah Edwards
Photo Credit Mike Frayne
Cooper Takes Outright Victory
After swapping times with Ammanford driver Robert Tout all day, Thomas Cooper and Sarah Edwards emerged victorious with a 25 second lead at the end of the 6 stage event hosted by Carmarthen Motor Club.
Richard Merriman / Sam Weller were the first of the two wheel drive cars home, Richard taking maximum points on all 3 tarmacadam rounds so far in the Darrian.
Colin Evans had plenty of competition in the Road Rally Class in his BMW318Ti and his third still sees him dominate the top drivers slot.
The ‘TCS’ is now at its halfway point but with the best 7 scores to count, the title is far from decided.
Co-driver Yvonne Walton competed on the Down Rally in Northern Ireland and travelled back overnight to join Tom James in the Suzuki Swift. She takes the current lead with a 4 point advantage over Sarah Edwards.
With the cancellation of the Hills Ford Rally, the Challenger Stages at Bovington will now become a points scoring round.
For current points following Round 4, the JD Competition Tyres Bob Shaw Memorial Stages, please click here.
Victory in the 1400 class and maximum Celtic Micra Challenge points went to Kay Thompson, (right), and Yvonne Walton.
News on forthcoming Rounds
Entries open for all competitors for the Rali Menai at Trac Mon Circuit, Anglesey at 8pm on Thursday 8th May. S.R’s are due to be released before that date.
Supplementary Regulations are available for the Bob Shaw Memorial Brawdy Stages at midday on Sunday 18th May on the Pembrokeshire Motor Club website here.
The Nicky Grist Stages entries for TCS contenders open on May 19th. The event will again be based in Builth Wells.
Supplementary Regulations are now available for the Fairfield Merlin Stages on the Carmarthen Motor Club website and Facebook pages. Entries for Rally Challenge Contenders will be accepted at 18.00 on Wednesday 11th June.
https://www.wamc.org.uk/
https://www.aswmc.org.uk/
https://www.awmmc.org.uk/
Dixies Challenge
Following the forced cancellation of Welsh forestry events, the Challenge finally got under way with 38 contenders competing on the Dixies Challenge.
Result of the Day was a tremendous 3rd overall and Class Victory for Richard Merriman and Louise Lewis (pictured right). After a 9-year break from co-driving for Louise and 23 years since last competing on Epynt, the crew gelled immediately, Louise stating she had big little shoes to fill, occupying the seat of the late Kath Curzon.
Photo credit right: Alan Jones
After a tough fight all day with Craig Kampshulte and current leading co-driver Elgan Davies, the new pairing emerged 5 seconds ahead after the 10 stages.
Click here for current scores.
James Palmer and Steve McPhee have become the first leaders of the Celtic Micra Challenge, finishing a very creditable 26th out of the 68 finishers. Man behind the new series, Justin Fowler Bishop was on hand for a champagne spraying ceremony for the crews.
Further Prizes Announced for Micra Contenders
Photo Credit: British Rally Media
In partnership with companies supporting the Celtic Micra Challenge, we are now able to reveal the added incentive of prize money for ‘CMC’ Contenders. This is on top of the awards Contenders will be eligible for as TCS Plant Rally Challenge Contenders, and planned additional incentives during the year. This will give under 25 year olds the potential to win over £500.
For more details of the above, of Companies supporting the Challenge and a proposed Test Day, click on the logo on the right of this page.
Challenge contenders are reminded that as registration includes membership of Maesteg and District Motor Club, you are entitled to enter events run by any Club affiliated to the above Associations as long as you state Maesteg DMC on your entry form:
2024 Event Reports
Jenkins / Jenkins Still On Top
With all of the current Top 6 visiting the Yorkshire forests for Round 9, the race for the Drivers Title is by no means over. Michael Jenkins has extended his lead by a further two points but with a maximum of 30 points up for grabs on each round, the bid for the top spot is for from settled. The overall title is now out of reach for Drivers who concentrate on just sealed surface events but the TCS Plant Tarmacadam Championship title, currently lead by Layton Waters is still wide open.
Despite missing the Trackrod, Colin Jenkins still has a healthy lead amongst the co-drivers. Leading Junior, Robbie Sandford, currently lying 2nd overall also missed Round 9 but competed in the Castle Combe Circuit Rally at the weekend, an event being considered for inclusion in the 2025 Rally Challenge.
For the current points click here.
Michael Jenkins and Jordan Joines celebrating their Class Victory
Gareth Hall Memorial Stages
Barry John’s Nice Try
The husband and wife crew of Barry and Seyyan John pulled off one of their best ever Stage Rally performances with a creditable 7th place in their Subaru Impreza. Their 4th in Class result elevates Barry to second in the Challenge lead, just three points behind fellow Amman DMC driver, Layton Waters.
Also holding 4th in his Class was Oxfordshire’s Colin Minton, his result putting him level with close mate Michael Jenkins, to complete the current Top 5.
A highly competitive under 1400cc Class saw the Junior Vauxhall Nova crew of Jack Edwards and Sam Weller hit some bad luck, relegated to 5th in Class after a fraught final Stage. With both drive shafts failing close to the end, the lads had to push the car over the line to record a finish. The result still gives Jack a realistic chance of competing for the Junior Drivers title whilst elevating Sam to fourth overall co-driver, being one of three Juniors now occupying the top four co-driver positions, still headed by Colin Jenkins.
Click here for current scores.
Barry John and Seyyan John. (Photo Credit Andrew Evans).
Current leading co-driver Colin Jenkins with fellow contender Geoff Phelps.
Jack Edwards
Round 5 – The Nicky Grist Stages Report
Clerk of the Course Neil Cross and his Team again put on their customary polished event, seen by many as the highlight of the Challenge Calendar. The town of Builth Wells, aware of the economic boost to the town, fully embraced the Rally with the mayor flagging competitors away at the start. See full report here.
Click here for the current scores.
Round 4 – The JD Tyres Bob Show Memorial Brawdy Stages
Latest Points Total Following Round 4, the JD Tyres Bob Shaw Memorial Brawdy Stages – click here.
Stunning star-studded rally entry heads to Builth Wells for the 2024 Nicky Grist Stages
Top image credit: Stanley’s Photos
Bottom image: Last year’s winner: Elliot Payne.
Credit: Mike Frayne
A star-studded entry, made up of competitors from six major UK championships and several of the top Probite British Rally Championship drivers who are using the classic mid-Wales stages as a gravel test, will gather in Builth Wells this weekend for the Nicky Grist Stages (Saturday 13 July).
Read more here.
Abingdon Motorsport CAR-nival
Jenkins ‘Day Out’ Nets Him A Current Podium Spot.
Craven and Maesteg Motor Club member Michael Jenkins, who is more at home on forestry events, recently brought his Fiesta to Abingdon to enjoy his day out rather than make a serious bid for Rally Challenge points. Michael commented, ‘Myself and fellow Craven member Colin Minton enjoy the social side of this event held on Abingdon Airfield which was opened in 1932 to train RAF Bomber Command.’ ‘I left the car on forestry suspension which made for some unusual handling!’ Michael’s points however have launched him to second in the current drivers standings prior to Round 4, the Bob Shaw Memorial Stages at Brawdy.
For the current points please click here.
Free Photographs
Images taken on Rally Challenge Rounds that our Photographer attends will be free of charge to Registered Contenders and forwarded electronically. To request images, please apply to Mike Frayne at taffchippy@proton.me
They may only be requested one event at a time.
For images replicated on Social Media / Websites / Publicity etc., they must be credited to Mike Frayne.
News Story – Bonnie Selected to Attend Motorsport UK Academy
Reigning Junior Rally Challenge Champion Bonnie Papper was recently selected to attend the Motorsport UK Academy where it was announced that she has been invited to join the M-Sport Team on World Championship Round, Rally Croatia. She is to join the Weather Crew to assist in refining Pace Notes to suit changing conditions on the Stages. When she returns, Bonnie is to share her experience of being given such a good opportunity to help forward her Co-driving career.
Previous Champions
xxxxxxxxxDriver Co-Driver
2013 Thomas ‘TC’ Lloyd Claire Williams
2014 Jason Hodge Mark Crisp
2015 Morgan Handford Chris Williams
2016 Wynne Watkins Siobhan Pugh
2017 William Mains Dawn England
2018 William Mains Paul Wakely
2019 William Mains Rhys Stoneman
2020 Tom Coughtrie* Ian Fraser* Leaders at time of cancellation*
2022 John Caine Liam Whiteley
2023 Ernie Graham Dan Evans
Click here for Qualifying Rounds 2024
