CLWYDIAN CARS STAGES

Steven and Julie Hughes claimed their second successive victory at Trawsfynydd Ranges on last weekend's Clwyd Vale MC Clwydian Cars Stages Rally, but so nearly threw it all away within yards of the finish-line. They finished just two seconds ahead of Carwyn Ellis/Edgar Jones with Hugh and Dylan Jones a further two seconds adrift, all three crews in Mk2 Escorts.

The Hughes' siblings had built up a comfortable lead of 23 seconds by the time they started the final stage, but spun within sight of the finish and ended up stuck on tyres. Great effort by the marshals got them back on track and they reversed over the line to stop the clock with just two seconds to spare!

Class A had seen Paul Ellis and Sharon Davies also attempt to throw away a class win by sliding off but their Škoda Favorit took victory from the F1000 Micras of Hefin Lloyd-Davies/Iwan Williams and Jamie Edwards/Matthew Edwards.

With the Hughes' top of Class B the class award went to Ken Pugh/Gwawr Hughes who were fastest by nine seconds on one short stage, despite crossing the line backwards and the car sliding along on the drivers side! Just two seconds behind were Geoff McQuilling/Iolo Jones in the Civic, and three behind them were Gary and Jane Edgington in a 106.

Ellis/Jones and Jones/Jones took the main Class C awards with Keith Griffiths/Paul Hughes third, whilst in the over two-litre class victory went to Arwyn Williams/David Roberts in a Mk2 Escort from the Imprezas of Mark Singleton/Gareth Jones and Gareth and Andrew Hockridge. Alun Hayward/Tom Parker won the road rally class in their oil-burning Astra.

Results:
1, Steven Hughes/Julie Hughes (1.6 Ford Escort Mk2) 22m 28s;
2, Carwyn Ellis/Edgar Jones (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 22m 30s;
3, Hugh Jones/Dylan Jones (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 22m 32s;
4, Ken Pugh/Gwawr Hughes (1.6 Talbot Sunbeam) 22m 45s;
5, Geoff McQuilling/Iolo Jones (1.6 Honda Civic VTi) 22m 47s;
6, Gary Edgington/Jane Edgington (1.6 Peugeot 106 GTi) 22m 50s;
7, Keith Griffiths/Paul Hughes (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 22m 59s;
8, Arwyn Williams/David Roberts (2.1 Ford Escort Mk2) 23m 47s;
9, Graham Davies/Dave Barnes (2.0 Ford Escort Mk1) 23m 49s;
10, Mark Singleton/Gareth Jones (2.0t Subaru Impreza) 23m 56s.
Class winners:
Paul Ellis/Sharon Davies (1.3 Škoda Favorit) 25m 46s;
Hughes/Hughes;
Ellis/Jones;
Williams/Roberts;
Alyn Hayward/Tom Parker (2.0 Vauxhall Astra GTE) 28m 14s.

Report by Dave Thomas
11 Maes Canol, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9UX
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