Ken Pugh and Gwawr Hughes started the 2009 Trawsfynydd Challenge as they left off last year, adding another win to their consecutive tally of six. Their Lancer was never headed and finished 16 seconds up on the 106 GTI of the very rapid Chris Phillips, with sister Sarah Hughes alongside. Third, a further 11 seconds adrift, were Kevin Jones and Ian Jones in the first of many Mk2 Escorts that delighted the spectators.

The venue at Trawsfynydd has remained the same format for many years, but the organisers used an idea tried briefly last year by running three laps of four stages instead of the customary four laps of three. Minor changes to the “triangle” route caught out a number of crews, and the dry conditions also saw a number of driveshaft failures.

The Jones' boys inherited third spot when Keith Griffiths and Paul Hughes went off backwards on the tenth stage, modifying the rear end of their Escort considerably. The same spot, not having been used in that way before, also claimed second-seeds Phil Kendall and Marc Williams (Corsa) early in the day as well as Huw MacKinnon/Angharad Davies (106) later, both these crews losing top ten places as a result.

Fourth place, and a personal best, went to Jonathan Whalley and Peter Dennis in the Purple Moose Escort, whilst just five seconds separated the next five crews, led by Rhys Wynne-Jones and Donna Wynne-Davies (Impreza) ahead of Gareth Roberts/Ian Lloyd (106) and another Impreza in the hands of Andy Williams/Brian Harrison.

The latter Impreza was tied on times with Alan Evans/Lee Webb (Nova) who were just a second up on the Mk1 Fiesta of Antony Williams/Tim Gill. Dave Lewis/Steve Southall rounded off the top ten in their Escort Mk1 which was not as immaculate at the finish after a confrontation with a tyre wall.

Richard Lewis/Emma Davies (Escort Mk2) put in a number of top times but could not recover from a mishap on the fourth stage, whilst late entrants John Bray/Aled Richards failed to get off the first stage start line when their Darrian sheared a driveshaft.

Results:
1, Ken Pugh/Gwawr Hughes (2.0t Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III) 21m 15s
2, Chris Phillips/Sarah Hughes (1.6 Peugeot 106 GTI) 21m 31s
3, Kevin Jones/Ian Jones (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 21m 42s
4, Jonathan Whalley/Peter Dennis (2.1 Ford Escort Mk2) 22m 20s
5, Rhys Wynne-Jones/Donna Wynne-Davies (2.0t Subaru Impreza) 22m 28s
6, Gareth Roberts/Ian Lloyd (1.4 Peugeot 106) 22m 31s
7, Andy Williams/Brian Harrison (2.0t Subaru Impreza) 22m 32s
8, Alan Evans/Lee Webb (1.6 Vauxhall Nova) 22m 32s
9, Antony Williams/Tim Hill (1.3 Ford Fiesta Mk1) 22m 33s
10, Dave Lewis/Steve Southall (2.1 Ford Escort Mk1) 22m 38s.

Classes:
The 1400cc class had two crews inside the top ten with Gareth Roberts/Ian Lloyd (106) narrowly ahead of Antony Williams/Tim Gill (Fiesta) with Dylan Thomas/Tomos Eilir (106) almost a minute behind in third. Huw MacKinnon/Angharad Davies (106) were heading for an award until their off.

Chris Phillips/Sarah Hughes (106) dominated the 1600cc class, just over a minute up on Alan Evans/Lee Webb (Nova) with Gareth Owen/Rhys Morgan third in a 205 GTI.

Unusually, just one car from the 2-litre class finished in the top ten, Kevin Jones/Ian Jones (Escort) taking the class by just over a minute from Len Jones/Robert Evans (Escort) and Richard Lewis/Emma Davies (Escort) third, but things would have been different if Keith Griffiths/Paul Hughes hadn't gone off and Lewis/Davies hadn't spun, but that's rallying!

Aled Loveluck and 14-year-old Siôned Evans easily won the one-litre class in their Micra after what Loveluck described as a steady drive!

Report by Dave Thomas, 11 Maes Canol, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9UX. (Tel 07788 995345)