NIERODA MOTORSPORT RANGES STAGES
Rupert Lomax/Dave Alcock took victory on the Nieroda Motorsport Ranges Stages at Trawsfynydd. A last stage charge by Geoff McQuilling/Iolo Jones in the Honda Civic almost came good, finishing just one second adrift of the Escort, whilst another top result fell to the consistent Kevin Jones/John Davies, third in their Escort.
From 54 starters, Lomax took the lead by one second on the first of twelve stages, McQuilling reversed the score on the second and ended the first half three seconds ahead of Jones with McQuilling one behind. Reversing the stages saw Lomax back into the lead and started the final stage with a nine second advantage. McQuilling flew over the final run recording a time eight seconds quicker than Lomax, the charge being left just too late to snatch the win.
The 1400cc class saw a clear win for Pete O'Dougherty/Paul Griffiths (Astra) from the Mini of Rob Jones/Chris Jones, with Paul Constantine/Nigel Williams (Micra) third.
McQuilling/Jones took the 1600cc class victory, comfortably ahead of Ranges regulars Ken Pugh/Gwawr Hughes (Sunbeam) with Gavin Edwards/Jason Jones just three adrift in their Nova.
Jones/Davies claimed the two-litre class from ANWCC Championship leaders Carwyn Ellis/Edgar Jones who were ensuring a steady run in the Escort, whilst a surprising third went to Phil Kendall/Alwyn Haycock, the Astra having only been completed a couple of hours before the event and the co-driver on his first-ever rally!
Arwyn Williams/Meic Evans took the over two-litre class award, Jonathan Whalley/Peter Dennis second, both crews in Escort Mk2's, whilst Rhys Jones/Will Rowlands were uncontested winners of the 4WD class.
Baz and Adrian Green took class victory in their road rally 205 GTi, ahead of the similar car of Eifion Thomas/Paul Roberts, the Astra GTE of Alun Hayward/Tom Parker third.
Result:
1, Rupert Lomax/Dave Alcock (2.1 Ford Escort Mk2) 24m 03s;
2, Geoff McQuilling/Iolo Jones (1.6 Honda Civic VTi) 24m 04s;
3, Kevin Jones/John Davies (2.0 Ford Escort RS Mk2) 24m 14s;
4, Carwyn Ellis/Edgar Jones (2.0 Ford Escort Mk2) 24m 37s;
5, Ken Pugh/Gwawr Hughes (1.6 Talbot Sunbeam) 24m 50s;
6, Gavin Edwards/Jason Jones (1.6 Vauxhall Nova) 24m 53s;
7, Arwyn Williams/Meic Evans (2.1 Ford Escort Mk2) 25m 02s;
8, Matthew Orford/Martin Roberts (1.9 Peugeot 205 GTi) 25m 21s;
9, Pete O'Dougherty/Paul Griffiths (1.4 Vauxhall Astra 16v) 25m 22s;
10, Phil Kendall/Alwyn Haycock (2.0 Vauxhall Astra) 25m 33s.Class winners:
O'Dougherty/Griffiths;
McQuilling/Jones;
Jones/Davies;
Williams/Evans;
Rhys Jones/Will Rowlands (2.0t Subaru Impreza) 25m 42s;
Baz Green/Adrian Green (1.9 Peugeot 205 GTi) 25m 58s.Formula 1000
Simon Povey claimed yet another F1000 victory, his Micra co-driven by Simon Davies, twenty-one seconds ahead of the Polo of reigning champions Paul Bebe/Stuart Thomas. Third spot went to Matt Davies/Paul Hadley in another Micra, celebrity crew Lorna Smith/Dave Robson (Micra) finishing fourth. Championship founder Tristan Dodd, with son Alistair, rolled the PEC Tyres Micra.
1, Simon Povey/Simon Davies (Nissan Micra) 27m 18s;
2, Paul Bebe/Stuart Thomas (Volkswagen Polo Coupe Mk2) 27m 39s;
3, Matt Davies/Paul Hadley (Nissan Micra) 28m 05s;
4, Lorna Smith/Dave Robson (Nissan Micra) 28m 27s;
5, Ken Rowlands/Michael Hughes (Nissan Micra) 28m 36s;
6, Mark Livesey/Dave Wilson (Nissan Micra) 28m 36s;
7, Rob Eastwood/Michael Potts (Austin Mini) 29m 10s;
8, Colin Coleman/Fredrik Coleman (Nissan Micra) 29m 41s;
9, Patrick O'Connor/Mark Dunbabin (Nissan Micra) 30m 07s;
10, Steven Prince/Daniel Hopwood (Toyota Starley) 30m 09s.Report by Dave Thomas, 11 Maes Canol, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9UX. (Tel 01492 584872 Home, 07788 995345 Mobile)