Gwyn Thomas and Gareth Hockridge (Puma) took a commanding victory ahead of Ken Pugh/Siôned Evans (Lancer) with Dyfed Pritchard/Tecwyn Jones third, best 1400cc.

Claiming the title “smallest entry on a stage rally” competition was fierce. Gary Thomas and Evan Neale-Gordon (Escort G3) lay second when the con-rod snapped to become the only retirement of the day.

Geoff McQuilling/Stephen Landen (Civic) won the 1600cc class due to Chris Phillips/Sarah Hughes (106) losing all but third gear for the last two stages.

Results:
1, Gwyn Thomas/Gareth Hockridge (2.0t Ford Puma 4x4) 22m 57s
2, Ken Pugh/Siôned Evans (2.0t Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III) 23m 22s
3, Dyfed Pritchard/Tecwyn Jones (1.4 Vauxhall Nova) 24m 18s
4, Geoff McQuilling/Stephen Landen (1.6 Honda Civic VTI) 24m 22s
5, Ifan Davies/Emyr Hall (2.0 Ford Fiesta) 24m 50s
6, Gareth Roberts/Ian Lloyd (1.4 Peugeot 106 Rallye) 24m 52s
7, Jonathan Whalley/Peter Dennis (2.2 Ford Escort Mk2) 25m 28s
8, Danny Postlethwaite/Samantha Postlethwaite (1.9 Peugeot 205 GTI) 25m 34s
9, Matthew Roberts/Pail Maund (1.6 Citroën Saxo VTS) 25m 38s
10, Trevor Evans/Michael Evans (2.4 Ford Escort Mk2) 26m 32s

Class winners:
Pritchard/Jones, McQuilling/Landen, Davies/Hall, Thomas/Hockridge, Richard Bestwick/Simon Rogers (1.9 Peugeot 309 GTI)

 

Just 14 crews turned up at Trawsfynydd for the North Wales CC Porthmadog Autobodys Ranges Stages, a number of promised entries not materialising or cars breaking down when being loaded for the event. The club is now claiming to have run the smallest entry ever on a multi-use stage rally, and thank those who did support by entering, officiating or by sponsoring. NWCC Competitions Secretary Dave Thomas said “the committee decided at the closing date, with just 6 entries, that we would go ahead – so much hard work had been put in by clerk-of-the-course Rob Hopewell that it would have a shame, and disrespectful to his team, to have pulled the plug. Obviously this situation cannot continue, not just for our club but also for all other organisers, and competitors must somehow be made to realise just what is involved in putting on the show for them.”

Jonathan Whalley was one of just three drivers who started that had submitted his entry by the closing date, and was rewarded when his name came out in the draw for a full entry fee refund! Whalley has competed at Trawsfynydd on almost every rally there since 1990!

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