CLWYDIAN CARS STAGES RALLY

Gwyn Thomas and Phill Harrison took their Ford Puma Cosworth to victory on Clwyd Vale MC's Clwydian Cars Stages Rally over the Trawsfynydd Ranges, finishing 34 seconds ahead of Mark and Sandra Francis (Escort) with Geoff McQuilling and Iolo Jones (Civic) third a further thirteen seconds adrift.

Thomas/Harrison had a close battle with the Escort RS2000 of Guy Woodcock/John Skinner over the first six stages, often tied for the lead but never headed, then Woodcock suffered gear selector trouble and retired.

Gary and Jane Edgington (106 GTi) were third overall after the first stage, but slipped to second in class behind the Honda crew. Third were Ken Pugh/Gwawr Hughes (Sunbeam) in eighth overall.

Behind the Francis' Escort in the two-litre class came Keith Griffiths/Paul Hughes (Escort), finishing fifth and having been promoted to second in class on the last stage as Brian Hardman/Ifan Rowlands (Escort) succumbed to a puncture and lost twenty seconds, dropping four places in a tight group, eighth being the result.

Hefin Lloyd-Davies/Iwan Williams get their Geoff Jones Micra into the top ten until the penultimate stage when they rolled out of the event. Darren Jones/Rhun Ellis (Nova) had secured second but failed to start the final lap, leaving Paul Ellis/Sharon Clark (Skoda Favorit) to take the class win, ahead of brothers Dewi and Siôn James' Nova and third placed Paul Jones/Rosalind Goodall (Nova) who spun many times but still lead the ANWCC Championship. Tristan Dodd/Dave Barnes took their F1000 Micra to fourth in the 1300 class.

Mark O'Leary/Paul Dolby took the road rally class in their Escort.

First retirement was event sponsor Myfyr Owen when his newly-built Focus Cosworth broke a driveshaft on the second stage. No less than three crews rolled out of the event, fortunately without injuries, as 38 of the original 48 qualified as finishers.

Results:
1, Gwyn Thomas/Phill Harrison (2.0t Ford Puma Cosworth 4x4) 21m 11s;
2, Mark Francis/Sandra Francis (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 21m 45s;
3, Geoff McQuilling/Iolo Jones (1.6 Honda Covoc VTi) 21m 58s;
4, Gary Edgington/Jane Edgington (1.6 Peugeot 106 GTi) 22m 11s;
5, Keith Griffiths/Paul Hughes (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 22m 24s;
6, Will Rowlands/Sarah Manton (2.1 Ford Escort Mk2) 22m 25s;
7, Brian Hardman/Ifan Rowlands (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 22m 26s;
8, Ken Pugh/Gwawr Hughes (1.6 Talbot Sunbeam) 22m 41s;
9, Nigel Ricks/Chris Jones (1.6 Ford Escort Mk1) 22m 55s;
10, Kevin Jones/San de Gregory (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 23m 21s;
11, Ian Jones/Alan Williams (1.6 Peugeot 106 GTi) 23m 29s;
12, Peter Jones/Paul Griffiths (2.0 Hillman Avenger) 23m 30s;
13, Mark O'Leary/Paul Dolby (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 23m 54s;
14, Shaun Buckley/Steve Merrison (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 23m 56s;
15, Gavin Edwards.Matthew Watson (1.9 Peugeot 205 GTi) 23m 58s;
16, Steve Bayley/Damian Snow (2.0 Vauxhall Nova) 24m 03s;
17, Mal Acott/Ian Lloyd (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 24m 16s;
18, Paul Edwards/Chris Jones (1.6 Peugeot 205 GTi) 24m 21s;
19, Matthew Orford/Gwennan Jones (1.9 Peugeot 205) 24m 24s;
20, Paul Ellis/Sharon Clark (1.3 Skoda Favorit) 24m 41s.

Report by Dave Thomas, 11 Maes Canol, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9UX. (Tel 01492 584872 Home, 01745 589529 Work)