This was the third round of the Peter Jones Rallying Clubman's Championship and organised by Clwyd Vale Motor Club. They bought in some new ideas such as having the Scrutineering and documentation at the Ranges, hence doing away with the congestion at the Rhiw Goch. It worked well and having had the chance to talk to the competitors, it was a system adopted by our event in September. The consensus of feeling was that they knew what was going on.
A full entry of 60 competitors was entered for this bank holiday event which proved popular with spectators. A local charity benefited to the tune of £277 by taking just £1 per car in the car park. A good PR exercise for the Club If nothing else. Clwyd Vale had done their homework well and Esmor, Eddie and Dei were on top form getting the event to run like clockwork. There were no major hold ups during the day despite some mammoth agricultural excursions by some competitors during the day. The most spectacular was by Car 28 who leapt off the road after coming through the dip and taking to the moor on the inside as he headed towards the triangle. It's amazing how drivers react in situations like this. He must have decided that the policy on wet ground is to keep it going and not get bogged down. This he did at a rapid rate of knots until he tried unsuccessfully to vault two ditches that slowed his progress.

It was also noticeable that the spectators gravitate towards the downhill section in the afternoon. The slight right before the nineties is sure to catch someone out and the spectators were not disappointed. The 90's themselves proved problematic especially to rear wheel drive Mk III Escorts. The problem was the newly laid tarmac that formed ever such a slight step on the apex of the 90 right. This step was enough to break grip and Pat Jeffs, Dave Brooks and Pete Hallows went autocrossing to a greater or lesser degree. So much for our new tarmac! The event was another benefit to the John Hardman steamroller that continues to win everything going in North Wales at the moment. The event also elevated Steve Raines into a Championship loading position and confirmed Dave Roberts as the Champion Co-Driver. Dave switched drivers after his first win with Pete Hallows. To have two successive wins with John Hardman. Will Guest Roberts confirmed his class 2 championship with another polished performance in his Sunbeam.
The event had started earlier than usual which allowed everyone to head for home that little bit earlier. I don't know how this format was accepted by competitors; perhaps they can let me know so that we can use it more on future events.

Edwyn Evans