After many years of many top results, popular local driver Ken Pugh won an event on Trawsfynydd Ranges! With Gwawr Hughes co-driving and now in a Lancer they finished just ten seconds ahead of hard-charging Phil Kendall/Marc Williams (Corsa) with Gary Edgington/Elen Jones (106 GTI) third - all three crews gaining their best-ever result!

Top seed Kevin Jones/Ros Goodall were quickest over the first stage, but then rolled lightly on the second and retired. Pugh/Hughes took over the lead which they never relinquished but could not afford even the slightest error.

The event had many newcomers to the venue, Alan Kitson/Ron Aspinwall being one such crew, their Imp taking a comfortable victory in the 1000cc class, second place was closely fought between the Micras of husband-wife team Alwyn and Alwena Frazer and Aled Loveluck/Tomos Parry, just two seconds separating them.

Gareth Roberts/Ian Price (106) took the 1400cc class, ten seconds up on the Sunbeam of Arwyn Williams/Steve Jones, Antony Williams/Tim Gill (Fiesta) third.

The 1600 class had Geoff McQuilling/Rob Hopewell (Civic) put in a late charge to make up for a sheep incident, but not quite enough to overhaul Edgington/Jones, whilst early class leaders Chris Phillips/Rhys Hughes (106 GTI) slipped to third due to a poor tyre choice.

Kendall/Williams took the 2-litre class, next being Ranges regulars Keith Griffiths/Paul Hughes (Escort) with the similar car of Richard Lewis/Ifan Rowlands third. Carwyn Ellis/Edgar Jones (Escort) were in contention for the first lap of three stages but failed to restart due to gearbox problems.

With Pugh/Hughes taking the overall win, the big-engined class went to Jon Madoc-Jones in his Renault 5GT co-driven by first-timer 17-year-old Josh Thomas. Jonathan Whalley/Peter Dennis (Escort) were second ahead of Pete O'Dougherty/Paul Griffiths (Escort Mk4 RWD) who lost out due to a maximum on the last stage.

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

Results:
1, Ken Pugh/Gwawr Hughes (2.0t Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III) 22m 09s;
2, Phil Kendall/Marc Williams (2.0 Vauxhall Corsa) 22m 19s;
3, Gary Edgington/Elen Jones (1.6 Peugeot 106 GTI) 22m 25s;
4, Geoff McQuilling/Rob Hopewell (1.6 Honda Civic) 22m 26s;
5, Chris Phillips/Rhys Hughes (1.6 Peugeot 106 GTI) 22m 34s;
6, Keith Griffiths/Paul Hughes (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 23m 07s;
7, Richard Lewis/Ifan Rowlands (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 23m 16s;
8, Alan Evans/Aled Edwards (1.6 Vauxhall Nova) 23m 21s;
9, Paul Hughes/Paul Stocking (1.8 MG ZR) 23m 22s;
10, Richard Hughes/Gruffydd Parry (2.0 Ford Escort Mk3) 23m 31s.

Class Winners:
Alan Kitson/Ron Aspinwall (1.0 Sunbeam Imp),
Gareth Roberts/Ian Price (1.4 Peugeot 106),
Gary Edgington/Elen Jones (1.6 Peugeot 106 GTI)
Phil Kendall/Marc Williams (2.0 Vauxhall Corsa)
Ken Pugh/Gwawr Hughes (2.0t Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III)